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The new, neverending story... for the Explorer in you!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: November 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

The first thing you must understand about "Uru: Ages Beyond Myst" is that it is NOT Myst IV. Uru is really more of a "spin-off" than a sequel. Let me explain...

While the first three Myst adventures (Myst, Riven, and Exile) actually take place over a hundred years ago and you play the part of a mysterious and helpful stranger, Uru takes place in present day and you actually (in essence) play yourself. Strangely compelled to the New Mexico desert to a "cleft" in the ground at the base of a dead volcano, you (among others) discover the remnants of the ancient D'ni civilization. A group of archaeologists, the DRC (D'ni Restoration Council), have begun the process of exploring and rebuilding the remnants of this ancient civilization. You are now part of this rebuilding due to the "interference" of one Prof. Jeff Zandi... and the DRC isn't very excited about all the new explorers running around.

Then there are the ancient holographic messages left by Yeesha, the daughter of Atrus. (Yes, THAT Atrus.) It seems that Yeesha has foreseen the rebuilding of the D'ni civilization as well -- even though she is gone and has been for some time. She has her own vision for the future of D'ni... but it is definitely not the same vision that the DRC has... Then there are the mysterious linking books - the books that link to new worlds, other realities... the Ages of the D'ni..

Uru is, in a way, two games. Uru can be played as a single, offline game that has much the same feel and entertainment value as the previous installments of the Myst franchise - only larger and more breathtaking in scope. This time the entire game is in real time, immersive 3D and allows for complete freedom of movement and the ability to explore pretty much everywhere. The game prompts you to create a character that represents you (hair, clothing, skin tone, build, etc.) allowing you to play the game in third-person mode, something new for the Myst series; but if you prefer first person point-of view like the other Myst games, you may choose that option as well.

The second part of the game is "Uru: Live" -- an online subscription based continuation of the Uru adventure. What does this offer? 1) Interaction with actual players from all over the world. You will actually meet their "avatars" at certain locations within the game and may choose to explore and solve puzzles together. You will be able to voice chat, create buddy lists, have actual virtual gatherings, share pictures, and more. 2) New, exclusive content. There are areas right now that you may explore as part of "Uru:Live" that are not available in the offline single player version. 3) Continually added content. New worlds to explore as more mysterious D'ni linking books are discovered and as the underground city of Ae'gura is opened and approved for exploration by the DRC. 4) A continuing story. What is this new quest that you will undertake for the mysterious Yeesha after completing the single player version of Uru? How will Yeesha's plans for the rebuilding of D'ni clash with the DRC's goals? Who (or what) are the mysterious Bahro and what is their agenda?

I have barely scratched the surface. It's a difficult game to describe. If you want a first person shooter, don't buy this game. If you want action, don't buy this game. If you want a compelling story, mind-bending puzzles, and a jaw-dropping exploration experience -- buy this game.

It was worth the wait!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 02, 2003
Author: Amazon User

After playing Myst, Riven, Exile and realMyst, it seemed like I was waiting an eternety for Cyan's latest to arrive. Boy, was it worth it!

From the first moment I was blown away. The gorgeous graphics and other-worldly music (Tim Larken -- the same guy who did the music for previous games) draw you in. Seeing the cleft for the first time was mind-blowing. The puzzles were hard, but not impossible. (When you get online, there are plenty of people who can help you out with sublte hints if you get stuck.)

Cyan got it right - again! If you only buy one game this season -- make it URU!

Can't wait for the on-line version

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

As a long time fan of the Myst game series, disappointed by the last release, I'm happy to give this game my 2 thumbs up. As in the first two games, the team from Cyan directly contributed to this game. It shows! Worlds you can immerse yourself in, that contain a history, a story, a life. Just what one would expect from Cyan. I was so captivated by the scenery. The puzzles, as expected, fit in with the story line so well they are not instrusive. In fact, they are part of the history of the different worlds you visit. I wait... not very patiently... for my invitation to try the Live version and to share the experience on line with friends both new and old.

will work with all radeon cards

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: December 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

the most recent patch to Uru allows for the usage of the game with all Radeon cards (not just those listed on the box).

BEAUTIFUL BUT ANNOYING. PLUS, IT IS INCOMPLETE.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: January 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I've got a good enough machine to manage to run this monolith without hitches, but it is not one of the smartest decisions I have made with my wallet.

Ubisoft unarguably redefined gaming graphics with Myst, and one can see why, some of the 3D shots on Uru are also simply mindblowing. And no, this magnificence is not limited to stunning visuals. If you have a subwoofer (Altec Lansing in my case) you'll be quaking every once in a while with the howls and bassy booms of the intriguing landscape around you.

But:

That's pretty much all I can say about this magnum effort -- it looks pretty. As for the game itself, some of the "puzzles" are annoying especially if you are unfamiliar with the lonely cultural haunts of Myst. There're no clues. Feels bit like a Solitaire on steroids. It starts off OK, but the latter half of the game is basically trial and error, at least for me.

Even more disappointingly, once I floundered through the entire CD (took me a couple of after-work days) there really is very little point now for me in playing the entire game again. Unless I want to test my Lansing woofers again that is.

I'm hoping that the online interactive version of the game will save me from buyer's remorse or this CD was not the smartest purchase I have made, despite the beauty and all that.

Caveat emptor.

Opinions...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: March 14, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Wow. Judging from the reviews here, URU seems to be a love it or hate it affair! I'll try to give a nice middle of the road review.
First, I'd like to address the graphics card complaints. Alot of people are trying to imply that needing a 32MB nvidia geforce1,2,3,4, or fx / ati radeon 7000-9000+ is too steep a requirement. I'm sorry to say that if you don't have one of these cards, some of which are almost considered "bottom of the line" now, you are not set up to play many, if any, of the newer games comming out. My card is a 64 mb geforce 4 in a pci slot, and my 256 ram causes more trouble with URU than it does. This card was cheap (by comparison) almost a year ago.
As for the game it's self, it is very well done. The graphics are superb, even set in the medium quality range. Moving clouds, ripples on the surface of water, brilliant colors and a little wildlife here and there all add up to a very realistic looking game environment. The sound effects are also very well done, although the music can seem to start abruptly for no reason some times. This takes a little away from the immersion. Overall, the game makers have created a very realistic world, while keeping it within "average" systems performance abilities.
The game play is a little harder to rate. It is very MYST like on one hand, but couldn't be more different on the other. Played from the first person perspective, it reminds me of a seriously upgraded RealMYST. Why some have said this game looks nothing like the others is beyond me. The similarities are unquestionable. Wander, think, take notes and solve puzzels that range from simple to maddening. If it weren't for the jumps, you could call URU MYST 4. But the jumps... Yes they can be very difficult, and the do seem out of place in a MYST game. But they can all be done with a little persistance. If you have ever played one of the Tomb Raiders or a First Person Shooter, you have ran into more difficult jumps than these. And there aren't as many as some seem to believe. There are only four or five "really hard" jumps that are required to finish the game, and the worst thing about them is the two load screens you have to sit through to get back and try again. But it's a routine action gamers know well: Jump, Die, Reload, Repeat. In the end, they end up being a minor irritation that you will get over.
The weakest part of the game is the story line. If you have played the first three MYST games and read the three books by Rand Miller it will all make perfect sense, and you'll be in D'ni heaven. If not, you will no doubt be more than a little confused as to what is going on throughout the game. The main reason for this, I think, is because this was supposed to be an online multi-player game. The story would have continued to unfold as you played online. But with URUlive canceled, you are left with an incomplete story. For those who don't understand the whole D'ni back story, the ending will seem like: "Good job. You pulled all the levers you were supposed to pull in the game. The End." But remember, the journey is the reward.
In the end, this is a game very worthy of a purchase for a MYST / graphic adventure fan. The graphics and sound are top notch, the gameplay is on average with other games on the market, and the story is fair. And with the soon to be released expansion packs (expanding the story and adding more areas) there is more reason to get it now than ever. No game is perfect and URU is no exception. But it one of the best games of this type I have played sience Exile.

A step down for the series

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: July 04, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Myst was great, Riven was insanely hard but genius, and Exile was spectacular, with perfect difficulty and great puzzles...with Uru, however, the series has gone slightly awry. The idea of an avatar isn't entirely terrible, but the ideas of kicking things into position and having to walk and jump accurately to progress are. As for the first one, just let us have an inventory, and have a set position for the items when we figure out where to put them back down! The soccer game that pervades Uru is absurd. And the need for nimble fingers has no place in the Myst franchise; if we want to test our ability to run and jump skillfully, we'll go play a platformer. Give us the ability to run and jump, sure, but don't make us master it in order to win the game.

A few of the puzzles in Uru, in my view, require a mental leap outside of the realm of logic, but others may disagree. In any case, I eagerly anticipate Myst IV: Revelation, and hope it will be less like this subchapter and more like Exile.

For avid Myst fans AND new fans

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: December 01, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I really recommend this game to long-time fans of the Myst series of games AND to newcomers to the series. It's definitely a game for the entire family! Explore lush Ages and mysterious puzzles offline and online, experience the shared excitement with others as the D'ni civilization is slowly revealed and their world(s) restored with your help. Highly recommended for a unique Christmas present!

A Wonderful Journey

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: December 24, 2003
Author: Amazon User

First of all, I would like to say that I had no trouble getting this game to run, at all. I have a 900 MHz machine using an Nvidia geforce 5200 pci with 128MB of ram. It does help to have the latest drivers, though, no matter what you are using. I am now playing the live "prologue" on-line game and have had very little trouble with it either, despite the fact that it is still in the beta testing phase. I am using a cable modem connection for that, and I doubt it would fly at all without a fast connection like that, but that doesn't surprise me.

And now, to the game itself:

I have been a devoted fan of the Myst games for years, and I have played and enjoyed all three of the previous installments. Uru is a great addition to the Myst series and mythology, and I found it satisfying in every way.
However, the game is a little different from its predecessors, and it takes some getting used to. The puzzles are quite difficult, and because this game is the first in the myst series to utilize full real-time 3d graphics, the look and the interface are a little different too. It takes some getting used to, but its well worth the effort. Cyan has done a great job here, in my opinion.

As for the on-line game, it isn't really in a state to say one way or the other yet, but I have great confidence that when it is officially opened, it too will be amazing.

ATI Radeon 9200 for use with URU in Pentium 3 AGP 2X Slots

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: December 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Thanks to the poster from San Diego I'm purchasing the ATI Radeon card to solve my game freezing issues. The poster recommends (on the ATI side) the ATI Radeon 9600. That card will work in an AGP 4X/8X slot. But if you have an older P3 with only an AGP 2X slot, then you'll want to check into the ATI Radeon 9200. This 8X card is backward compatible with a 2X slot. I will also add I've had great success with ATI cards in the past, so I appreciate the tips from the poster in San Diego. BTW, I picked up an ATI Radeon 9200 128MB card for $55 shipped, so this card will not break your budget.

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