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Worth the trouble (but don't get any ideas, developers...)

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 29, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I gave this game just one star about two weeks ago, because the game would not run on my system even though it exceeded the requirements listed on the box and on Ubisoft's website. Two patches later, voila!, the game now runs on my computer. It's gorgeous, it's engrossing, and, dare I say it, worth the trouble. I can't give Exile 5 stars, though, because I can't reward software developers who release buggy games and rely on post-sale patches (not everyone has the ability to do all the tweaking I had to do to get this game to run, and you shouldn't have to for a $50 game). Moreover, various gaming boards still teem with people having rather serious problems running (or trying to deinstall) the game, even after two rounds of patches. Do some homework before buying.

As for the gameplay, it was great. The graphics on my computer were eye-popping. If you have to play in software-rendering mode (due to video card incompatibilties), you are missing a lot. The colors and textures were sumptuous -- like moss on stone floors, a beautifully colored sky at dusk, and luminescent rock walls. The sound also adds to the experience -- from ambient mood music (which I found rather creepy at times as I wandered alone through the various Ages), to rumbling bass as you power up machines you encounter (accompanied by subtly shaking video to really make you feel like you're right there).

I was feeling mildly seasick from the free-look feature, but overall, it was very smooth, and life-like (in any event, you can switch out of free-look mode if it's too much for your stomach). I didn't mind the "slide show"-like progression of scenery (which was used in both Myst and Riven) because it gave me more control over my movement. RealMyst had an option that did away with the slide-show, and I found it very tricky to maneuver.

The puzzles are challenging -- you stumble on them, and, like a real explorer of the Ages would, try to find some context for them -- and if all else fails, resort to trial-and-error. I was really drawn in. I had to force myself to save and quit after roughly seven hours of play -- I have work to do, after all!

If you can play it, it's wonderful! My specs: Dell Dimension 400 PII, 192 MB RAM, 10 GB HD, ATI Rage Pro 8 MB (Xpert 98 AGP 2X) video card, 32 bit color (but playing at 16 bit setting), 10X DVD-ROM. Playing in hardware mode, with full 3D acceleration, using DirectX 8.0a (downloaded from Microsoft's website, not from Exile CD-ROM). Did not do full install.

Fun, but has some bugs

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 28, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game, overall, is very fun. It's not as good as the first Myst in my opinion, but it is better than Riven, and although it has a few problems, it is extremely good. The main problem is that many less expensive, off the shelf computers are completely unable to run the game, especially those with Intel Direct AGP video cards. These are extremely common chipsets, and I had to replace my video card to run the game. A patch is in progress, but won't be ready for a while, and may be delayed. This bug means that one of Myst's largest audiences, families who don't like violent entertainment, and who therefore play puzzle games like Myst, are unable to play the game, as they are likely to have less expensive computers with the Intel Direct AGP chipset. I hope that the bug is fixzed soon, as this game is quite fun, and unlike Riven, it is usually very clear when you have solved a puzzle. I would reccomend, however, waiting a few weeks to buy this game if you have an Intel, Neomagic, or S3 chipset, or if you have certain other cards. I recommend that you check the UBI Soft website at http://www.ubisoft.com/ and go to support. E-mail them to ask about your video card, and try to buy from a store that will let you return the game if it doesn't work. However, if you have a more advanced video card, the game will probably work.

Exile

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: October 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game is best in graphics compared to the first two though Riven is very close. Though it is difficult at first you get the idea of what you are suppose to be doing like the other Myst games. In this world you can look at things in diferent directions such as up, down, and left or right. The plot isnt as good as the other Myst games, but that isnt why your playing it anyway. it is much more fun to look at the graphics and scenery and all the neat puzzles.

Myst 3: Exile surpassed my expectations

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 20, 2001
Author: Amazon User

A great Myst and Riven fan, I awaited the release of Myst3:Exile with the same excitement and anticipation that I experienced as a child on the night before Christmas. And I was not disappointed! This wonderful game exceeded even my expectations! The puzzles and logic problems were very challenging and the graphics without equal to anything else I've ever seen. Plus, as a long Myst and Riven fan, there was such a comfortable familiarity for me because of the continuity among the 3 games (though you do not have to play Myst and Riven in order to play this game). Keywords for Myst3:Exile: patience and thoroughness. If you can't "hang in there" when a solution is beyond your grasp, then this game is not for you. But once you complete all the puzzles and figure out all you must do to reach a successful conclusion, you will experience a great deal of satisfaction!

Beautiful landscapes lighting

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 10, 2001
Author: Amazon User

My family and I have just begun MystIII Exile and we are enjoying it very much. The creators paid a great deal of attention to details in the landscape--lighting, clouds, sounds, that anyone who appreciates natural beauty will enjoy immensely.

Needs Macintosh Patch

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 05, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I had no trouble navigating Myst and Riven. This game seems very unstable on my Macintosh. Perhaps a patch for Macintosh, which has been promised since May 2001 will make a fan of me.

What a relief after Riven!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 02, 2001
Author: Amazon User

"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???!!..."

Like it so far

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 31, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Three and a half years ago I bought a computer for my home. After a month or so when I got tired of playing solitare I ventured into a software store to inquire about a game. I explained that years ago I had played a game called ZORK on a friend's computer that was a puzzle game I enjoyed. I told the salesperson all these here tended to be shoot em' up type games. Could he recommend something for me? He handed me a copy of Myst and said that years ago it was a big seller. I deceided to give it a try. Well after getting the hang of what I was supposed to do I fell in love with Myst. I encouraged everyone I knew to get a copy. It was great. I couldn't stop raving about it. Then I bought Riven and got through most of the puzzles but couldn't get through all of them. After 3 years of on and off play I finally broke down and bought the stragety guide (it was on sale for a buck). I have just purchased Myst III and it is not as easy as everyone says it is. It is harder than Myst but not as impossible as Riven. (although I might be singing a different tune as I am only in Jnanin and so far have only figured out how to get into one other age).

The graphics are great but I must admit that it took me a while to get used to the movement of the world. Being able to look everywhere is great but I found that if I moved too fast I was actually making myself sick (you can liken it to someone who shoots a home video with a shaky hand). Now I am more paced so I don't have the problem as much.

I also have to admit that when Myst III came out I read the requirements needed to run it. It was then I knew that an upgrade was needed. I bought a Dell 8100 (pent. 4, 32mb video card, 256k ram). No problems-runs flawlessly in 3-D mode. For all of you who have been fans of Myst and Riven and can't run this one-my heart goes out to you. I know you must be extremely frustrated.

If you have the right system this is a must have game. If you haven't played the other two then I suggest getting first Myst and then Riven and then moving on to Myst III.

Not as great as Myst because I feel the magic can never truly be captured again. Lets face it, the first time for most magically moments are usually the highest. (I said most-not all).

Ok now I am in a couple of week and I don't like it as much. I went into the nature world and some of the paths are really very hard to find (specifically one in a log). I have just gone into the energy world and its not as intutitive as you would think. Not as much fun as the orginal myst.

Myst III. Worthy of the MYST titles or worthy of the...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 10, 2001
Author: Amazon User

...Journeyman Project title? First of all you must understand that this game is made by Presto Studios not Cyan (the original company to design Riven and Myst.) Do you remember the Journman Project series? Same maker. If you compare the graphics quality of Journeyman and say Riven you see a big difference. Becuase of the 360 degree Free look movement system that has been featured in Journeyman project 3 and Myst III, the quality is downgraded. To tell you the truth this game just doesnt seem to make the Myst title. It doesnt quite feel the same as Riven or Myst. The plot is excellent though, just what you would expect in a Myst game. When they say "The Story of Myst continues" they arent kidding. If you are just starting to get into the myst series go ahead and buy Riven, which is the sequel to Myst. I think it might impress you more. If your a hardcore Myst fan, go ahead and buy. It will be a good buy.

Myst III is not quite Myst

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 05, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I am a big fan of both "Myst" and "Riven," so I was quite excited to try out the third installment. Please be aware that the Millers who did the first two had farmed this one out to Presto Studios and apparently didn't participate a whole lot in the design of the game. And it shows.

That being said, I would say that Myst III isn't a bad game, but I could definitely tell that it was not done by the Millers. They really seem to have a talent for creating unique worlds and really interesting puzzles, but some of Myst III seemed kind of obtuse and not-quite thought out completely.

Myst III contains some of the elements of the other two, but to me, has lost the magic that made the other two so interesting.

The basic story is that you have to follow a villain through a variety of worlds while solving puzzles. Some of the worlds are better than others. The world titled "Edanna" I found to be very disappointing, while I really enjoyed the "Voltaic" and the "Amateria" worlds.

The interface is a little awkward, and there were times that it interfered my ability to operate switches and other things necessary to advance the game. The journals aren't quite as helpful as they could be; but the graphics are well done and some of the longer filmed moments are quite fun, especially near the ending of each world.

Overall, Myst III is better than most of the rest of the puzzle games that are on the market. If you go into it prepared with the knowledge that it's not quite as good as the others, you'll probably have an enjoyable time.

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