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Great packaging of the first three MYST games

I've been aware of MYST for ten years now, but only recently been able to play this game. I am also glad to get this 10th Anniversary DVD-ROM edition. Remember: be sure your computer has a DVD-ROM drive in order to run this. Anyway, MYST is a great discovery for me, because I'm of the age who got burned out on slash-'em and shoot-'em-up games, and instead the three MYST games included here gives you challenging puzzles in order to get through the games.

The first MYST is most historical, as it originally came out in 1993, although what you have here is the Masterpiece Edition, which includes a few improvements, plus it provides you hints if you get stuck. A lot of the graphics are great for the time, but many of the land formations (cliffs, rocks) look obviously computer generated. You're supposed to collect missing pages from two different books (who are the sons of Atrus), while looking for the missing page for Atrus' book. You'll find out about the truth of Atrus' sons as you get near the end. After you win, you can simply explore the different worlds again if you want, without worrying about collecting pages.

The second one, Riven: A Sequel to MYST is definately an improvement in the graphics. I even found the music better too, not so much of that cheesy "new age" fluff. The graphics are much more realistic too. Unfortunately, there really isn't much in the way of visiting other worlds, mainly visiting the five islands. In this sequel, you're supposed to rescue Atrus' wife Catherine, who is been held prisoner. Atrus already mentioned how his wife was being held prisoner when you conquered the original MYST, and so this sequel obviously ties in. I found this sequel a bit more frustrating, and confusing at first.

The third one, MYST III: Exile is by far my favorite. What's really strange is Catherine now has an oddly British accent, which she didn't when you rescue her on Riven. I'd probably end up spending more time complimenting her hair (because it's so long) if this was real life and I met her pesonally, but she is fictional (although a real actress did play her). This time around a book called the Raleeshan has been stolen and you need to retrieve it and give it back to Atrus. The hugest improvement of all is you can now pan 360 degrees, so you don't miss anything, after all there are often passages that might be difficult to find, but you need to go through them, like on Edanna. The game also features lots of great music, some of it rather sinister, that goes with the trippy scenery.

And if you want, while you install the games, install the movies that are included (which runs on QuickTime), which tells you the history of each game, how it was produced, and the people behind it (and occasionally the actors who play these characters). As it turns out, Rand Miller, the guy behind the MYST series is also the guy who played Atrus!

Great stuff, and a wonderful way to get the first three MYST games in one go!