Amiga gamers worldwide stirred in shear excitement when word
arrived the Original MYST game was being ported over to the
Platform. The long awaited conversion hit the stores and MYST
became a modern day classic for Amiga users. Just incase someone has been in retreat in a monastery in the mist
shrouded hills of Tibet. MYST was an Adventure/Roleplay type game,
Boasting the most wonderful Graphics ever seen on the Amiga
Computer. Unlike most games of this type, You do not control a sprite
across the screen picking and mixing found Items to accomplish
the various tasks. MYST is seen through you own eyes, Each click
of the mouse taking you to a fresh screen. Perhaps the most compelling part of MYST was that you found
yourself "Dumped" on an Deserted Island with on real clue as to
what you task would be. Having bought and Completed MYST I, I waited in the hope that the
second of the series RIVEN would also be imported to the Amiga,
However this did not appear ...And the MYST series on Mac & PC
moved on to the third release EXILE. Sadly having (So far) missed out on RIVEN ...I decided to compare
EXILE with the Original MYST ...So How does it stand up?
CYAN, the Millar brother's company produced the first two volumes of the MYST series, but of MYST III :EXILE, Presto Studios stepped up to the challenge, Drafting a Project preview that was innovative yet, loyal to the concept of the MYST series.
Its almost impossible to put a label on MYST because the game is completely original. the success of the MYST series is largely due to the fact that the Player becomes totally immersed in the game.
What can one say? ...If you experienced the marvellous Graphics in MYST then EXILE will blow your mind completely. Gorgeous scenery, shading/shadow & Light effects its all there.
However one of the Biggest differences between MYST and EXILE is the introduction of 360 Panoramic viewing. Yes swing your mouse up/down or all around and get a full 360 vision range. Brilliant, However it does mean that vital clues that might be at your feet, are missed until you get used to the Idea of 360 vision.
Also there is a lot more interactively in EXILE .. Flying Birds, Small Rabbit like creatures etc. that you must interact with to help solve a certain puzzle.
The Strong point of EXILE .. The Sound effects are tremendous, But the eerie music adds mystery and feeling to the game, Its easy for the hair at the back of your neck to suddenly start rising.
Tip:- To play EXILE ..Sit in a dark room, Turn up the Sound and lose yourself in the Mythical land.
"WARNING! WARNING! Danger Will Robinson." ... Don't think for one minute that you can load up EXILE and have a Quick half hour session. Switch on you PC at 7pm and a "Short Time" later check the Clock to find its 3am.
EXILE like all of the MYST series seems to Drag you into the Game, You actually feel part of the scenery, you experience the game not play it. Brilliant :)
Well if you have read this far, It will be completely obvious that I an Hooked. The puzzles in EXILE are Difficult, There is times that you can go long periods not progressing but just covering old ground. In any other game this would become tedious and off putting, Not so in EXILE ... You seem to know that the illusive clue is hidden in the Lush undergrowth or deep cavern, The joy of exploring the Islands outweigh the frustrations of being Totally Stuck.