Editing What is MYST? (section)

==Myst==

'''''MYST''''' is a point-and-click adventure/puzzle game that was released in 1993 by Cyan - a game that shook up the world of video games. ''Myst'' is also the first entry in a series of media products that detail a rich setting that contains elements of fantasy, science fantasy, and some proto-steampunk sensibilities. 

This document will provide you with an overview of the Myst games, the Myst setting, and the fandom community.

===What is MYST, the game?===

''MYST'' is a point-and-click adventure and puzzle game, initially released in 1993. It has had several revised versions and has been ported to many platforms over the years.

The player is presented with a brief prologue scene and a book titled MYST. Touching the book transports you to the island of Myst, and you are left to your own devices. You begin the game knowing nothing about the story or the setting - it's a cold start. One of the key elements of the games are the linking books - books that take you to other worlds, known as Ages. Much of the play centers around finding these books.

Myst is a game with a relaxed pace. There are no monsters or enemies, and no combat. The game is largely non-linear and has no time-limit. You don't 'die' at any point, and there are no irrevocable decisions until near the end. You must simply explore and understand, solving environmental puzzles in order to explore further.

Your understanding of the story comes from exploring the environment. You navigate from a first-person view point, using the mouse to click on and interact with objects. Navigation is done by clicking directions on the screen to turn, move forward, climb ladders, etc. There is no real inventory (though there are one or two things you can pick up and carry). Your interaction with other characters is done through bits of full-motion video. There are no dialog trees, and the many things you find involving the characters are recorded messages or written journals.

===Why is MYST important?===

Outside of just being an entertaining game, ''Myst'' is an important part of video game history - one often forgotten about nowadays. While the gameplay itself is simple, the graphics were a major jump in quality at the time. 

''Myst'' also was one of the first PC games to gain widespread popularity. It was distributed on what was then a brand new technology (CD-ROM), and it was one of the 'killer apps' that lead people to buying CD-ROM drives for their computers. It was the top-selling PC game throughout the 90s until it was overtaken by the Sims in 2001. Even as of today (Feb 2024), it is the 23rd best-selling PC game of all time (better than titles like ''Doom'', ''Diablo II'', and ''Grand Theft Auto V'').

''Myst'' was also critically-acclaimed. Publications like Wired and the New York Times pointed to ''Myst'' as evidence that video games could actually be art. ''Myst'' was the first video game to have been inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

===What are the different versions of Myst?===

''Myst'' has had several versions and remasters, and has been ported to many platforms. The original ''Myst'' was on Mac and PC. Nowadays, you can find a remastered version of ''Myst'' called ''Myst Masterpiece Edition'' on Steam and GOG.com. There is also a version called ''realMYST'' which is the ''Myst'' game but in a roamable 3D realtime-rendered environment. You can find that on Steam and GoG, as well as many consoles. Recently, Cyan released a new version in 2020 for the Oculus Quest, and then a later 'flatscreen' version of the new Myst in 2021.

The puzzles and story are pretty much identical, except that ''realMyst'' has some extra content available after the end of the original game. The differences across versions are primarily UI and movement styles, as well as graphics quality. The ''Myst'' from 2020 has the most changes - many of the devices one can interact with in game have been modified to be more VR friendly. It also includes an option to randomize puzzle solutions to add some challenge for players who are already familiar with the game.

===What are the sequels to Myst?===
There are five ''Myst'' games in total, as well as a 'spin off' series called ''Uru'' (which had a single player game and an online MMO version). All take place in the same game universe.
The Myst games are:
* ''[[Myst (game)|Myst]]''
* ''[[Riven (game)|Riven]]''
* ''[[Myst III: Exile]]''
* ''[[Myst IV: Revelation]]''
* ''[[Myst V: End of Ages]]''

The ''[[#Uru|Uru]]'' section has more information about that series.

===Are there other Myst things out there?===
Yes, there are three novels in the Myst universe, as well as a tabletop roleplaying game. 

The novels, in release order, are:
* ''[[Myst: The Book of Atrus|The Book of Atrus]]''
* ''[[Myst: The Book of Ti'ana|The Book of Ti'ana]]''
* ''[[Myst: The Book of D'ni|The Book of D'ni]]''
You can find them collected together in a single volume called ''The Myst Reader''.

The tabletop roleplaying game is called ''[[Unwritten|Unwritten: Adventures in the Ages of Myst and Beyond]]''. You can find it on [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/146509/Unwritten-Adventures-in-the-Ages-of-MYST-and-Beyond DriveThruRPG].

===Do I have to play/read all of it?===
Fans generally believe experiencing them all is best, of course. But each game is independent and you can enjoy each game on its own. One common caveat to this is that ''Myst V: End of Ages'' will make much more sense if you have played ''Uru'' (the spin off) first.

===What is the story order of all of the games and novels?===
The chronological order of the games and novels:
* ''Book of Ti'ana''
* ''Book of Atrus''
* ''Myst''
* ''Riven''
* ''Book of D'ni''
* ''Myst III: Exile''
* ''Myst IV: Revelation''
* ''Uru: Ages Beyond Myst'' and (or?) ''Uru: Complete Chronicles''
* ''Uru Live''
* ''Myst V: End of Ages''
* ''Myst Online: Uru Live''
* ''Unwritten''