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| 9 FEB 2005 at 1:27am |
AndromusGuild Master
Posts : 5538
Joined: 6 NOV 2002
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By SirDave (9 FEB 2005 12:27am)
It's interesting how your perspective changes when you play these games one after the other as opposed to how you played them originally which means that long periods of time occurred between Myst, Riven & Exile. What is absolutely blowing me away, is how good Myst Exile is- so much better than I gave it credit for when I first played it, mainly because I was still giddy after playing Riven and expected the same type of game.
That's very interesting. While certainly enjoyable, Exile was probably my least favorite of the first three Myst games, for the same reason you mentioned. I wonder if a replay might improve my opinion as it did for you? I should replay Myst, Riven, and Exile anyway -- it's been a long time, and I have a score to settle with Riven for kicking me around the way it did the first time through.
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| 9 FEB 2005 at 1:43am |
| Deleted User | I guess I'm in the minority, having always loved Exile, and in some ways, loved it more than Riven.
I think it's largly to do with the villain (and I've always liked Brad Dourif), but yes, the imagry is just beautiful.
I also liked the ending more than Riven. <shrug>
Chris
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| 9 FEB 2005 at 1:50am |
| Deleted User | Originally Posted By Andromus (9 FEB 2005 1:27am)
That's very interesting. While certainly enjoyable, Exile was probably my least favorite of the first three Myst games, for the same reason you mentioned.
I've never understood why people actually like the first game better than Exile. Sure, we all loved it--it was new and fantastic. But the graphics are inferior compared to Exile, the story is not really better, and a lot of the gameplay controls are clunky compared to Exile.
I've long held the theory that people liked Riven (as did I) so much because of how much a leap it was over Myst and that perhaps Exile was not a leap of the same magnitude (though it did certainly improve on Riven in at least a small way, simply because of advancements in technology).
So imagine that they came out in this order:
1) Myst
2) Exile
3) Riven
Would people then prefer Exile over Riven?
Speck
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| 9 FEB 2005 at 2:26am |
CarolineJA+ Overseer
Posts : 16540
Joined: 28 JAN 2007
Location: AU
Status : Offline | No. Exile made me dizzy. The mouse movement kept swinging and I really did have nausea for 3 days until I got my 'sea legs'.
Apart from that, I solved Riven myself - fantastic puzzles. Exile made absolutely no sense whatsoever and I hated the place - felt trapped. With Riven, I wanted to book a holiday there - still do.
And people still remain loyal to Myst simply because it was our introduction to the 'magic' that happens.
I'm actually putting Myst IV on a par with Exile because the puzzles don't make sense although the worlds are better. In fact, Uru has moved into 3rd spot ahead of Exile and Myst IV because of said problems. Let's see how they go with Myst V.
Caroline the demanding
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| 9 FEB 2005 at 10:02am |
movuIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 92
Joined: 6 JUL 2003
Status : Online | I love Exile. The Music, the atmosphere... J'nanin, mmmm!!! I would like to spend my vacation there just browsing and swim. Then comes Riven (it is a big place and have various landscapes) and then Myst (which i found very cold and less welcoming... i don't really know why... i never did).
And yes... replaying Exile felt like i'm just passing through, a very different sensation.
I didn't replay Riven though, maybe i will...
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| 9 FEB 2005 at 1:13pm |
CulturaJourneyman
Posts : 1337
Joined: 1 SEP 2004
Location: NL, Amersfoort
Status : Offline | Yeah, well RiVen just blew me away....
you remember when you first got the Maglev going throgh the rings? The amazing underwater ride? The jolt when you met the young girl in the woods?
Even the golden bug flying away from you in fright.
Moments as those are so are in any other game, and they where lacking in Exile. But I still rate Exile over Myst 1 and Revelation by any standards. It's just such a joy to look at, that it makes up for minor defficiencies.
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| 9 FEB 2005 at 4:08pm |
CrapstormJourneyman
Posts : 829
Joined: 18 FEB 2004
Status : Online | I, too, enjoyed Exile much more than Myst and Riven. It was short and breezy, but quite clever and seamlessly put together. There were too many irritating aspects to the puzzles in Riven that prevented me from immersing fully in the game, and the story was totally lacking in intrigue. In contrast, the story of Exile was shallow, but it had a strong thematic focus and a captivating conflict that I felt really driven to see resolved. Plus, Exile has an original puzzle that is really one of the best I have ever seen in an adventure game (the wood/stone/glass ball puzzle).
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| 9 FEB 2005 at 7:28pm |
SirDaveGuild Master
Posts : 4941
Joined: 17 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Crapstorm (9 FEB 2005 4:08pm)
I, too, enjoyed Exile much more than Myst and Riven. It was short and breezy, but quite clever and seamlessly put together. There were too many irritating aspects to the puzzles in Riven that prevented me from immersing fully in the game, and the story was totally lacking in intrigue. In contrast, the story of Exile was shallow, but it had a strong thematic focus and a captivating conflict that I felt really driven to see resolved. Plus, Exile has an original puzzle that is really one of the best I have ever seen in an adventure game (the wood/stone/glass ball puzzle).
Can't say that I found Exile short & breezy. Solving the 'signal lights' puzzle in J'Nanin that you have to solve to even get to the Ages takes a bit of time and the puzzles in Voltaic are not a slam-dunk (that stupid fan -not a spoiler; you'll either solve it or you won't).
The future ain't what it used to be!
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| 9 FEB 2005 at 10:11pm |
CrapstormJourneyman
Posts : 829
Joined: 18 FEB 2004
Status : Online | I guess we had two very different experiences with the game. I played Exile from start to finish in one weekend, but what a great weekend! It completely rekindled my love for pure adventure games after a three year drought. It definitely belongs in my personal Top 5.
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| 9 FEB 2005 at 10:45pm |
SirDaveGuild Master
Posts : 4941
Joined: 17 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Crapstorm (9 FEB 2005 10:11pm)
I guess we had two very different experiences with the game. I played Exile from start to finish in one weekend, but what a great weekend! It completely rekindled my love for pure adventure games after a three year drought. It definitely belongs in my personal Top 5.
Well, I started on Friday & finished on Monday: Friday, Jan 4, 2002 & Monday, Mar 5, 2002!
Part of it is I just can't settle down & play these games several hours at a time anymore- if I ever could. Still, if you did Exile in one weekend with no walkthru, hats off!
The future ain't what it used to be!
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| 10 FEB 2005 at 1:38am |
CarolineJA+ Overseer
Posts : 16540
Joined: 28 JAN 2007
Location: AU
Status : Offline | It never ceases to amaze me that people record how long they play a game for. Maybe it the male competitiveness gene? :
I liked the early puzzles in Exile - I could do that bit and I loved the tiffany-inspired stained glass in the little hut. I really hated the movement and never really relaxed after that. Most of the mechanical puzzles I would have benefitted from a male companion, simply because they struck me as being male oriented.
Riven did send shivers up my spine sometimes. The first time I say the man in the watchtower, the children running away, the woman in the underground cave who steals the cable car.... the big fish that bashes against the glass and the time that Gehn's face is caught spying on me.... god I got startled then and could never re-create that scene. Pure magic.
Seems to me, that the puzzles and their difficulty level is what hold the key to our enjoyment of the game. o we feel masters or inadequate to the challenge?
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| 10 FEB 2005 at 4:02am |
CrapstormJourneyman
Posts : 829
Joined: 18 FEB 2004
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Caroline (10 FEB 2005 1:38am)
It never ceases to amaze me that people record how long they play a game for. Maybe it the male competitiveness gene?
Also, I can hold my breath for 3.5 minutes, and I once ate a 38 oz. prime rib in one sitting.
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| 10 FEB 2005 at 7:44am |
movuIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 92
Joined: 6 JUL 2003
Status : Online | Well, people... :It seems that everybody like Exile much more than Myst and Riven. Shall we consider it over previous two games? The polls says a different thing...
So...
1 Exile
2 Riven
3 Myst
???
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| 10 FEB 2005 at 11:59am |
CarolineJA+ Overseer
Posts : 16540
Joined: 28 JAN 2007
Location: AU
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Crapstorm (10 FEB 2005 4:01am)
..... and I once ate a 38 oz. prime rib in one sitting.
It doesn't count unless it was still attached to the cow.
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| 10 FEB 2005 at 1:01pm |
movuIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 92
Joined: 6 JUL 2003
Status : Online | Yeah... And I can eat fifty eggs!!!
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| 10 FEB 2005 at 5:07pm |
Jeroen StoutSchattenjger
Posts : 2798
Joined: 14 NOV 2003
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Caroline (10 FEB 2005 1:38am)
It never ceases to amaze me that people record how long they play a game for. Maybe it the male competitiveness gene? :
Meh, go play a 'non-violent help-eachother' game
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| 10 FEB 2005 at 8:11pm |
Pastor DisasterJourneyman
Posts : 1056
Joined: 14 DEC 2004
Status : Online | Man, Caroline, you Aussies are tough!
For what it's worth, I'm embarassed to admit that Exile is my favorite of the three, with Riven being the least. I would have enjoyed Riven more, but so many of the puzzles were a complete mystery to me. I think I used a walkthrough from the very beginning. I definitely remember being ecstatic over finding a freaking map online! And I still can't see the outline of the fish where the one ball is in the woods.
Don't get me started on pixel-hunting for the button to open the big wooden thing...
Dyslexics wonder why there isn't a word that means the same thing as "cinnamon."
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| 10 FEB 2005 at 8:44pm |
SalarIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 27
Joined: 18 OCT 2003
Location: US
Status : Offline | I still love Myst best, though Riven blew me away when I first played it. Its not all sentimental either. I love the way the story unfolds as you explore. I love all the journals. I love the way *you* make a difference in the end.
Riven is so incredibly beautiful, I still haven't seen a game to top it. I really enjoyed working out which lever did what, what marble went where, & studying at the schoolhouse. Honestly, Riven is graphically& immersively leagues ahead of Myst.
Uru has advanced in a different direction. imho its not as 'realistic' as Riven, but I'll readily admit it is easily as beautiful. Lovely music too. Riven & Uru have awesome soundtracks.
Exile was fun, well-made & kept my interest while playing (except while lost in the jungle ) Yes, I also liked it better on replay, but I didnt feel it made as much sense as Riven & lacked the Myst-ery of, well, Myst.
Good game though.
I've still only just started Revelation. Nice graphics, lovely inset movies. I like it well enough thus far. I was tickled pink to play a puzzle WITH Atrus for a change. I think I've been waiting over 10 years for something of the sort.
Susan [smiley=angel_smiley.gif]
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| 10 FEB 2005 at 10:49pm |
Lady KestrelGuild Master
Posts : 4038
Joined: 27 SEP 2004
Location: US, NJ
Status : Offline | Each of the Myst games (1-4) has a unique feel to it. I find it difficult to rank them because I became deeply involved in each one. There were both tough and relatively easy challenges in all of them, and all had beautiful graphics. None of them did I finish quickly, but then my gaming style is to make the experience last as long as possible.
"Where is the fountain that throws up these flowers in a ceaseless outbreak of ecstasy?"
-Rabindranath Tagore
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| 11 FEB 2005 at 2:29am |
CharonIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 4
Joined: 10 FEB 2005
Status : Online | Interesting thread - I have yet to play the "real" 4th myst but thoroughly enjoyed the 1st myst, riven and exile. While I haven't a favorite, I played Myst when it first came out, I mean as soon as I could get my hands on it. After a lot of text games and not so hot graphics and sound - it was the big-bang for gaming. I can't think of another game that had such an impact on me at the time or since. Yes, things have gotten better as technology has advanced but that first experience was an epiphany. I think that is why it shows up on so many best games lists. Younger/newer players who might have started when Riven was out and went backwards were probably not impressed. How old am I? I can still remember the first time I saw a color TV. Myst was that type of reaction. Wow!!
Always look over your left shoulder first.
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| 11 FEB 2005 at 1:26pm |
KsandraSchattenjger
Posts : 2459
Joined: 2 APR 2003
Status : Online | Exile wasn't a bad game, but I always found the ages somewhat... sterile. After Riven, where D'ni and Rivenese culture played an important part in the game, I was disappointed to find that there were virtually no other people to see in Exile. Also, I found the concept of 'training ages' a complete cop-out - it meant that the designers could just stick in any puzzles they liked without having to integrate them into the environment as Riven (and to some extent, Myst) did. Overall I just found it far less gripping and atmospheric than the first two games.
Revelation was a mixed bag. Tomahna was great, and I loved the atmosphere of the two prison ages, especially Spire - though again, it would have been nice to see some actual people in them. But Serenia... well, the less said about that the better. As for the puzzles, I appreciated the designers' attempt to integrate them into the gameworld, but all too often they ended up being poorly clued and overly obscure - and some, like that 'coloured lights' puzzle in Dream, were just plain awful.
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| 12 FEB 2005 at 12:10am |
SirDaveGuild Master
Posts : 4941
Joined: 17 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Salar (10 FEB 2005 8:44pm)
Riven is so incredibly beautiful, I still haven't seen a game to top it. I really enjoyed working out which lever did what, what marble went where, & studying at the schoolhouse. Honestly, Riven is graphically& immersively leagues ahead of Myst.
Susan [smiley=angel_smiley.gif]
Speaking of Riven & that schoolhouse: Seems to me there was stuff there that might have meant something but didn't- such as all those D'ni letters & the writing on the 'chalk' boards. I spent a fair amt of time copying those friggin' letters in my notes- all for nothing. That's why these games can sometimes drive you crazy!
The future ain't what it used to be!
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| 12 FEB 2005 at 2:00am |
| Deleted User | Originally Posted By Pastor_Disaster (10 FEB 2005 8:10pm)
Don't get me started on pixel-hunting for the button to open the big wooden thing...
You don't have to pixel hunt. If you go through the idol from the other side, the button is immediately apparent and you can use it again if you like to go the other way.
BTW: Riven is far superior to the other Myst games I've played. It has a better plot, a more realistically designed game world and well-integrated puzzles. Myst III was fun, and I enjoyed it a lot, but it was no Riven.
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| 12 FEB 2005 at 7:42am |
CarolineJA+ Overseer
Posts : 16540
Joined: 28 JAN 2007
Location: AU
Status : Offline | Pastor
I sympathise with your exasperation of that big wooden idol thingy in Riven. I used to visit it often and wonder what the hell it was for. It was only when I came out of it that I laughed and laughed and realised where the button was and how many weeks I'd missed it.
Oh the joy of finding how each ladder worked, how to get to the islands on all those lovely cable cars. For me, all those puzzles made sense but I saw a fish shape in the lagoon.
I loved the blue mushroom forest and the tiny fireflies and the toy that taught us D'ni numbering in the classroom was great fun too.
Oh and the submarine - what fun that was! I loved it. Took me weeks and weeks to figure out the upper controls of the village so that the handle on the large umbrella cage thingey in the lagoon worked. I felt ecstatic that day.
You see..... THAT'S the magic. The success after the struggle.
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