Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Myst III Exile (M3E) is not your typical Xbox game, that's for sure; it was originally developed for the PC and ported exactly as the PC version. Being experienced with all the Myst adventures, I was expecting the gameplay interface similar to Real Myst where character movement seemed more like you were actually walking instead of watching a Powerpoint slide show when moving. Although the producers of M3E claim and brag about the introduction of new 360 degree observation technology, this is actually not new (Real Myst used it first) and now they actually went a step back with the slide-show movement. I got used to it after a while, but it was a bit dissapointing to see such a great game with such an outdated technology, especially on the Xbox. That's the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5
Exposure to the M3E predecessor games (Myst, Riven) is necessary as the game documentation does not explain the story and reasoning behind M3E.
M3E has one vengeful D'ni inhabitant named Saavedro that somehow discovered a way to transport himself to the age of Tomahna, where Atrus had just completed writing the age of Releeshan, in which he wanted to amend all of his son's wrongdoings. Saavedro takes away the Releeshan linking book and deliberately drops his J'nanin book expecting to lure Atrus and trap him in his destroyed age. You end up with the task of bringing back the Releeshan book and stop Saavedro from doing more damage to the ages.
Your adventure starts when you link into the J'nanin or Learning Age. This age was originally conceived by Atrus to teach his sons about the creation of ages. You are all alone (or so it seems) on this tropical island with no idea of how to get Saavedro and the stolen book.
You will have to use all your power of observation, logic and problem-solving skills to solve the many elaborate puzzles and discover the mystery surrounding J'nanin and Saavedro. The J'nanin age unlocks other new ages, required for you to complete the adventure. The puzzles, although logic, are not that obvious to solve. Atrus had to be very careful and have a method that only he would know in order to avoid other people to damage his creations. Luckily you were handed the Atrus journal when you start off in Tomahna and this book will give you an idea of what Atrus wanted to accomplish and also provides you with clues to solve many important puzzles.
This game requires patience and a lot of persistence; for every step you take make sure to stop and look around, then continue on. Everything around you is important.
The puzzles are mostly the mechanic-type; pull a lever, push a button, etc. Many times pulling a lever creates a reaction somewhere else, so be very observant. I can't say that any puzzle in the adventure was impossible to figure out on your own. The instruction booklet has a hint section for the puzzles but I always avoid those; there's nothing like the sense of accomplishment when solving a tough puzzle entirely on your own. There's always something that turns on your light bulb, sometimes re-reading the journals, walking again around the age, going back to J'nanin, even turning off the Xbox console and taking a break.
The adventure is open-ended; you don't need to visit any age in a particular order in order to succeed. You don't die in this game; you cannot fall off a cliff, get electrified or drown. You are also not going to get stuck by pushing the wrong button. That doesn't mean you should start pushing or pulling at will, everything has a purpose and a method, and most of the time is not obvious at first glance.
This game is recommended for experienced adventurers and Myst fans. Those new to Myst or to adventure games could find it a bit frustrating and the story will probably not make too much sense.
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Myst III: Exile transports players ten years forward in the Myst universe, where a new villain lies in wait. Saavedro, played by Academy-Award® nominee Brad Dourif, has been hiding on Atrus's Ages, awaiting his chance to gain revenge upon Atrus and his family. Inadvertently, Atrus himself has provided that chance. He and Catherine have reestablished contact with the D'ni, a race of people whose knowledge enables them to write the special linking books first encountered in Myst.
Myst III: Exile includes several special features exclusive to Xbox. The 3-D effects in the prerendered environments have been enhanced to create a more immersive experience, more stunning and more real. The Xbox version uses enhanced modeling systems to create water that moves and looks like real water, both up close and at a distance.
The Xbox version also has the Director's Cut of the lens-flare effect, a feature toned down for the PC version, but here implemented as intended. The game takes advantage of the console's ability to have sound come not only from behind the player, but from the left and right. There is also a 22-minute making of featurette, the only in-game, full-screen version seen anywhere. The movie includes footage from the video shoot and interviews with the developers.
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