User Reviews (21 - 31 of 203)

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Too Bad price/ship date are wrong

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 25 / 40
Date: April 24, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Over at the Riven Unofficial Home Page I found out this information is wrong. But, there is good news and bad news. Ubi Soft has decided that this is neither the official price nor the official release date. That's the bad news. The potential good news is that it seems that a reluctant Cyan may allow Ubi Soft to twist their arm into making them create a single-palyer game separate and in addition to the multi-player elements.
Obviously this happened because Broadband Internet connections did not follow market trends and expand like crazy. Even though two consoles have joined the online fray (GameCube's effort so far is so weak as to not even count), broadband is still just a blip on gamers RADAR screen. I cannot wait to see what happens.
Oh, here is posible bad news (at least for me and the few rebellious stalwarts like me), it seems that Cyan has not recieved funding for the Mac version. Darnit -- The Man strikes again! ;-)
P.S. I would have left the ranking blank since it is too early for a review, but Amazon.com wouldn't let me. So, 5 is just really a hope and a place holder.

Fun; immersive; awe-inspiring; challenging

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 14 / 18
Date: December 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

A curious set of reviews -- many seem to complain that thier computer doesn't run the game. I suggest everyone go ahead and click on the link to the upper left under "Item Information" that says "system requirements" -- it's clearly stated that you need a relatively modern nVidia or ATI video card to play. This is standard in computer gaming, and is not something peculiar to Uru. All I can think is that Uru, being of the Myst heritage, is attracting people who don't normally play games, and they don't realize thier systems (even brand spanking new ones!) are not capable of playing these kinds of games. Even major, high-quality manufacturers such as Dell and HP sell many new computers that are not able to play modern games (such as Uru), because that way they can offer a product to consumers more interested in bottom line cost than graphics capability.

Now on to Uru's gameplay. The way it works will be familiar to traditional Myst fans -- there are several "ages" that you link to via linking books, then explore, encountering puzzles along the way. Most of the puzzles are the push the button/pull the lever variety, but there are also some where you have to jump to certain spots (unlike previous Myst games). This can frustrate some people who are not expecting it, or are not good jumpers.

The environments are *gorgeous*, almost awe-inspiring in some places. Galleries filled with beautiful, mysterious artwork; a golden pyramid; beautiful gardens with exotic trees; and ancient buildings set in a lush tropical forest are just some of the places you will visit.

The sound is fantastic, especially if you have a 5.1 speaker system; as you turn, you can hear the sounds in the environment move around as if you were really there.

Many of the puzzles are doable with some thought, but a few are quite challenging. I suggest using on-line resources (do a search on "Uru" in your favorite search engine) if you get stuck; there are many sources available for graduated "hints" that will help you get over a sticky spot or two without giving the game away.

All in all, the feeling of being immersed in a beautiful, mysterious, authentic-feeling environment of different worlds is the main draw of the Myst series, and Uru follows up on that tradition admirably.

James Spencer

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 16 / 22
Date: January 23, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I haven't actually beat this game yet, but I was checking some reviews on it and thought maybe I'd clear some things up if they haven't been already. I haven't read all 164 reviews lol.

First off... people... this isn't the old Myst game consisting of a bunch of still shots. This is a fully 3D environment. Guess what... that takes ALOT more graphics processing power. ALOT MORE! People with little Dell or HP (etc) mid-range computers: shut up. Your computer was NEVER intended for playing games. Now you know why people are buying those more expensive computers, and despite what gateway says, THEY may have more brains than money. Anyways, yes, you'll NEED a new video card and WANT a good sound card. This is the curse of the game player; welcome to our world.

Secondly, the controls. I think the problem with the controls is that the creators realized that alot of people buying this thing haven't really played FPS games. So, they dumbed down the controls. This was to allow the uncoordinated easier entrance to gameplay keeping them from being *scoff* overwhelmed by the amount of keys it requires to move, but it crippled those of us that have played 3D games before. In reality there was no way they were going to please the previous of the two groups and all they did was annoy the gamers. Still, it's not hard; it's just confining if you're used to FPS games. Now for the guy "spinning around and around"... seriously... it's REALLY not that hard. My main problem with it has been the lack of responsiveness. When I press the jump key, I expect to jump right then.

Loading times: yes, they suck. No way to pretty that up; it is extremely annoying when you fall off a cliff to have to wait for your link back to Relto to load, go to the book shelf, pick your book up, then wait for the previous age to load again. If you can throw money around, I'd recommend getting the fastest hard drive you can find. The loading times are my one major beef with this game.

All things considered though, I'm really enjoying this game. I'd consider it very immersive. It IS very pretty. The sound helps alot with that. If you don't mind TRYING SOMETHING NEW, this game is great. And that goes for both Myst players and FPS gamers. This game is simply different. It's alot more relaxing and easy going than an FPS game, but it still takes more coordination to play than the old Myst games. Live a little everyone.

Have The Developers Lost Their Minds?

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: May 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

If you're like me and loved Myst, Riven, Myst 3: Exile, realMyst, you'll love Uru: Ages Beyond Myst but it has some major flaws...

1) Get Rid Of The Avatar! Myst games are a first person visual medium. It's almost like reading a book and books are the basis of Myst.

2) In earlier games your actions had obvious good or bad results. Uru has a tendency to nit-pick over your actions.
As if some of the puzzles aren't hard enough, we don't need inconsistent results with game actions. Another reviewer mentions a 'fish trap' problem. If we need to move something by 'kicking' it why make it hard? The trick was in figuring out you needed to kick it.

3) Why can't you just save the game where you stopped? It's bad enough that throughout the game you have to retrace your own steps (numerous times) but to do so because the game restarts only in certain places is just irritating! And running is a poor Zip Mode!

4) The first 'action' video scene I came across I nearly fell out of my chair! I don't expect this from a Myst game, it's against very idea of an immersive adventure game. Go play 'Unreal' if you want action!

5) Why is the Uru storyline tying into 'our' reality? This story is great fantasy and should be left in its' own context. Could this be a ploy to attract new buyers? Just like the 3D Avatar? See #1.

6)With all the latest technology in games why can't Uru have a place to store info? For taking notes, drag and drop for sketches and/or photos of important sites?

The mythology behind these games are what made them so popular.

All in all, my journeys have been tarnished by these problems to what could be the perfect immersive adventure game. I'm giving it 3 stars because it's Myst. Let's hope the next game doesn't continue in this direction. Myst IV later this summer.

Knottyboy

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 15
Date: April 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I was a beta tester for URU and URU live. I too was dismayed by the pulling of the live content but suffice to say I don't think we can truly know what was going on behind the scenes at UBI soft. I will say that Cyan cried many tears and made the ultimate sacrifice for URU.

That being said... URU is a new vision of the "ages beyond Myst". They are incredibly intricate and immersive. YES there is a trick to it! But if all you are doing is "TRYING TO BEAT THE GAME" you've lost the whole point of this series of games. Myst and URU are telling of the history of a people, the D'ni, come to earth and the technology they possessed. It is your job to see beyond the tasks of playing to see who they were, what they accomplished and why they disappeared.

Game play takes getting used to, but before long you will be hopping the lava filled chasms and skipping across the rocks to your prize. The music is dreamy and powerful. The sites are astounding and the worlds consuming. If you loved the past of Myst, see the future of URU.

Just released was "To D'ni" expansion pack for all those that have purchased URU. It was in response to the canceling of URU Live. The second expansion pack for URU "Path of the Shell" is already scheduled for release in June of this year. Rand Miller creator of the Myst games told us that URU will live on because of the scale of content that had already been created!

So plunk down your shekels, buy URU and hold on to your hats with each new dose of URU to come.

Shorah

Myst creators lose at their own game

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 13 / 17
Date: May 13, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Let me begin by saying I am an avid fan of both Riven and Myst. However, Uru falls flat on it's face. What made Riven and Myst fun were the amazing graphics, the logic puzzles, and the world they immersed you in.
1. Uru does have good graphics and sound but Uru is not as compatible with graphic and sound cards as both Riven and Myst were.
2. You spend lots of time looking at the same stuff because of the idiocy of puzzles that require you to move something around, which is near impossible.

3. If you die, you go back to a spot very far away on your game and have to do all the same stuff to return you to were you left off.
4. I am not avid gamer but I don't think I'm alone in saying that I wasted way to much time trying to control my character. None of the point and click stuff that made Riven and Myst beautiful and easy to control.
5. Most of the worlds are designed so dark they are really difficult to see in.
6. To much excess! You can waste lots of time on stuff that has very little to do with actually winning the game. I'm all for touring but this took it to the extreme.

Again, I was crazy about the first two, but this one is simply not worth it. I hope they come out with another because this was truly a horrible way to end a great series.

URU - Good game smudged with with poor controls

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: November 18, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Other reviewers have noted the awkward controls and I'll have to agree with that. You really do have to routinely switch between 1st and 3rd person views and mix mouse and keyboard controls to play the game. That is, without a doubt, annoying.

That said, after playing the game for several days straight now, the game layout and story line are great, the worlds are fantastic and the puzzles hard (what you look for in a good Cyan game). I've come to terms with the poorly executed first person controls (just about any First Person Shooter game on the market has better controls than this) and am really enjoying the game now.

It's not exactly like Myst but it doesn't pretend to be either. It's very Myst-like in the creation of the visually appealing worlds and the funky mechanical physics that make all the Myst titles fun to look at and experiment with. Lots of the familiar lever/button/switch/pressure plate type interaction for the puzzles that'll keep you thinking for days on end (unless you cheat and go for a walk through).

Short story - great game that's marred a bit by poor controls. Definitely worth a pick up in my book, however.

Amazing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: November 19, 2003
Author: Amazon User

For those who are complaining about the interface and the controls, they really are not that bad! It was a little odd at first, but being totally customizable, it takes only a few minutes to get used to the interface. The game itself is amazing! The graphics and the music blend perfectly into another Myst world. I have played every Myst game since the original, and this, as the others, just got better than the last. The people who are playing the demo only and not buying the game based on that, have no idea what you are missing.. Yes it starts a little odd, but it does get better I promise! The 3d environments are STUNNING.. a couple of times in the game, I audibly gasped at the beauty I saw before me. Being an avid puzzle solver, this game did not let me down. (though I will admit to using the hints on the website once)... AMAZING... if I could give it more than 5 stars I would.. One word however, the system requirements are sort of steap, so check before you buy.. Even if you have to purchase a couple of other things to make this (and just about any other game due to come out in the next year), play on your system.. it's well worth the upgrade!

Best game in the MYST series!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: November 28, 2003
Author: Amazon User

URU brings outstanding graphics, amazing storyline and entertaining puzzles to the Myst series, by far surpassing its predecessor games.

Granted, the game requires a strong video card-but with the right system, URU's graphics are fluid and photorealistic with reasonable loading times. Nothing is static in URU. Tree's sway in the wind, creatures roam the environments, water moves, things break, weather and time change. The water effects are especially astounding! It's hard to believe that URU is in real-time 3D. The visual effects will blow you away.

URU introduces another member of Atrus' family, Yeesha, to modern-day explorers. Yeesha was able to alter the D'ni art of "Age writing" which allowed her civilization to create portals to other worlds and universes. Yeesha has an agenda for restoration of D'ni...but not everyone is in agreement with her on how the restoration should take place. She's left holographic messages for players and sends them on a journey to learn about the ways of the D'ni...

great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: November 15, 2003
Author: Amazon User

THis game does not REQUIRE broadband, although it is HIGHLY recomended because of the large amounts of data you will have to routinely download every time something new is released.
The games itself is VERY goodit looks beutiful and just left me in awe. if you want to see what the game is like or how well it looks on your PC (currently the game isn't available for Mac but assuming the game does well enough there will be a Mac version) you can download a demo at www.3dgamers.com/games/uru/
Try it I really don't think that you will be dissapointed.

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