Cheap Myst 3: Exile (Software) (Macintosh, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me) Price

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Customer Reviews of Myst 3: Exile

First of all, I ran it on a G3 iMac at 400 MHz, and did not encounter any trouble, except for the fact that my finder could not support pop-up windows after launching it (because of the change of screen resolution). I did a full install, and it seemed that I did not even need the disc 1 to start the program. The game, by itself, was familiar (I have played the two others) and it was even more familiar since it used "The Journeyman project 3" 360 degres panning ability (from the same company, I think). Still, progression through the worlds is still slide-like (while in "The journeyman", you got movies to keep the impression of moving through places [well, yeah, I am a big fan of "The JourneyMan project 2 and 3"]).

Exile is a hybrid between the two previous games: you get Riven's awsome graphics, but you have the exploration of different worlds from Myst that was missing in Riven (although, in Riven, you had several worlds in one place, it's not the same feel as jumping from one universe to the other [when you got to link to another world, you can't explore it...]).

Puzzles are not too hard, though I'm sure non-nerdy game players (which I'd like to be [a nerdy game player;)], even though they seem so "blase";) with new releases) will find them quite difficult, and they are logical, given you follow the peculiar logic of these worlds.

Concerning the people saying they got through too fast, I would like to add that, yes, it seems easier now that we have played the first two games (and that clones of Myst have appeared), but I wouldn't bet on you going so fast if this had been released at the time instead of the original Myst (without considering the obvious impossibility [eg, that it could not have been released at the time. Not under this form, anyway]).

So, at it stands, it is a nice equilibrium between beautiful graphics, medium complexity of puzzles and good story telling (other aspects have been mentionned in previous reviews).

The ending was, to me, a little bit disappointing. Maybe because it goes too fast, compared to the time you spend (even if not that great) solving some of the puzzles. On the other hand, the sequences following the final solvings for each world visited before was worth it.

What a relief after Riven!
"Riven" came out just after "Zork Nemesis" and its groundbreaking 360 degree rotation was introduced. So the second Myst game as a result came across as a tremendous disappointment after playing the gorgeous and immersive "Nemesis". After completely circular visuals and constantly atmospheric music, "Riven" failed to engage me much in its gameplay because of its primitive-looking snapshot style. Plus, I managed to solve it in its entirety during a single weekend...far too easy...

But THIS game, on the other hand, is something else entirely. I get the impression that the original Myst creators took one look at "Nemesis", silently cursed to themselves, went back to the drawing board...and THIS time came up with a winner. Taking more than its fair share of cues from "Nemesis" and its technological innovation (which is slightly irritating in the way of how the press is currently praising them and acting as though the Myst developers just invented them when this was already done so beautifully years ago! Come on guys, be FAIR!), the result is a gorgeous and immersive adventure which manages to catch up wtih technology.....as it existed five years ago.

I hate to say it, but this game is starting to remind me of "King's Quest", a gaming series that was considered groundbreaking with its first title and then spent the rest of two decades playing technological catch-up.

But that aside, it's a wonderful and challenging game. The only problem I've had with it is some choppy glitches with some of the animation sequences: an opening sequence with Catharine was stable except for the fact that her speech kept fading in and out and I couldn't hear her properly, and some portions of the "casual" action animation (such as when you are in an elevator and you're supposed to be watching a gate spin around it through a window) was equally choppy and unresponsive. The problems persist even after the patch was installed.

The annoying animation errors are the only thing here which keep me from giving this title a full five stars. The moment they can be fixed (hopefully on the upcoming DVD edition due before this Christmas?), I'll edit this into a full five-star review.

**WARNING!!! In closing, I'm about to explain the nature of the puzzles by sharing my reaction to the first one and in doing so am going to give away the solution to it. If you do not want to hear any puzzle solutions, read no further.**

Confusing puzzles in this game are guaranteed to lead even to most steel-bound adventurer astray, as by their sheer nature they can lead you into being tricked that they are far more complicated than they actually are. I've been a veteran of adventure puzzle games for twenty years and even I got stumped by (get this) the first puzzle. It's the one involving the revolving lamps. I had guessed correctly that I had to get a beam of light to shine through them on to a particular door's surface, but could not get any light to appear through them. Turning the crank at the beginning of the setup a couple of times didn't do a thing (I was convinced it was to power up the whole arrangement), so I thought that maybe it would all switch on once I had gotten the lamps all aimed in a proper order. Noticing that each one was a different color, I had thought at first that they needed to be done in the order of the spectrum, but when that obviously didn't work I went berzerk trying to figure out how to get the light to turn on.

I finally broke down and, despite my better nature, looked up the solution on the internet. What did I have to do?

Turn the crank ONE MORE TIME!

Afterwards, I was practically bashing my head against the wall while screaming inwardly, "THAT'S IT???!!..."

The best Myst
Myst III: Exile isn't as dark as Myst or Riven. I think it's better that way, actually. This game has some of the best visuals and scenery in the series so far. The new 360 degree free-look is awesome. The story is the deepest I've seen in the series so far. The puzzles are a little silly and out of place, but they are still fun and challenging. Myst III: Exile is certainly, so far the best in the series.