Wow, i didnt know you guys were so against Schizm! I personally loved it. It had puzzles that i felt could all be solved logically and by thinking through(except for maybe the sound puzzle) As for Shcizm 2, it was actually better made and had an even more coloful collection of puzzles. These are not really like the Myst puzzles. The Myst puzzles are fairly repetetive: turn on power, work the machine which turns on other machine, etc. Schizm is more of a linear game but the puzzles do not usualy relate to each other and most of what you need to solve the puzzle are at your hands. Sentinel, was a horrible failure and that's all i need to say about it.

Of all the puzzles mentioned in this thread, can anyone say which ones were the most Myst-like? And if they were enjoyable? I had played The Crystal Key, which was disappointing.

urikrak, I posted one of those lists and have played almost all of the games mentioned here. The only one that even came close in my opinion was 'Aura', and even that was only because of the gorgeous graphics and the puzzle construction. As far as plot, I can remember little.

Considering plots and execution, 'Legend of Lotus Spring' and 'Gabriel Knight, Beast Within' were two which touched me and stay in my memory as great games because of this. 'Obsidian' was well-constructed and obscure enough to draw me into its world.

All in all, the Myst series is unique and very few (no?) games reach its heights of storytelling, graphics and gameplay combined. One of my pet peeves is lazy reviewers using the cliche' "this is a Myst-like game." The heck it is! If you mean it's an adventure game, say so. The Myst series is unique.

Hi,
I had played Syberia 2 before and I am now playing the first Syberia. I would rate these two games just one notch below the Mysts games.
The graphics are really great and some of the puzzles very hard. If anybody has been able to finish the first Syberia without having to check a walkthrough once in a while (specially the canal gates puzzle where I was not, even, being able to find the "numbers on the side of the control panel" for a hint, please let me know your IQ score. You could do it in a post or in a PM. I am curious to learn how much it would have to be !!!

Nanouk --

I loved the Syberia adventures. In fact, the only aspect that I found disappointing was the character dialogs, or at least the English translations. Seeing as the story was set in Germany, eastern Europe, Russia, etc., hearing some of the native characters speak in American English, with common slang as well, hurt the sense of immersion in that world. But the scenery!! My goodness, was that gorgeous! Note that the music was also excellent, and set the mood beautifully. And yes, I did have to consult a walkthrough periodically!

Does anyone remember "Jewels of the Oracle?" It wasn't an adventure game really, just framed as one. It was more of a collection of separate puzzles, and as you completed them, you added markers to a circular table until it was complete, at which time you were awarded with a flythrough of a fantasy city. There was a backstory of sorts, but it was thin and I don't recall it too well. But some of the puzzles really were fun, and well-done. I wouldn't mind playing that one again.

Another one that I vaguely remember was "Majestic." The story was a little bit like the later "Starship Titanic," just without the zany humor. You encounter a seemingly abandoned luxury starship, and proceed to investigate it and uncover its secrets. I seem to recall that you'd explore the ship by means of a mechanized drone, viewing things in its screen... and that you could change the view to any of three such drones to explore other parts of the ship.

As for the first Crystal Key, I found it frustrating at the time... but now, much later, I remember many parts that were actually very intriguing. The environments were very nice indeed, very cool places to explore. The interface could be clunky, but when you overlooked that, the game overall was a lot of fun. I never played the sequel.

Thinking way back, I remember several titles that I saw only as demo samples on the MacAddict disks I used to get with that magazine during my Mac days. Hell Cab was cool, as was Spaceship Warlock, etc. I also played through the demo for Timelapse, and was very impressed. Never played the full game though, although I did play Cyberflix's other title, Titanic - Adventure Out of Time. Loved that one!

As for Schizm, the environments were highly imaginative... but they appeared to have been highly compressed during rendering, and as a result, looked liked they'd been JPEG'd to death. As mentioned earlier, I found the puzzles in Schizm to be extremely obtuse, to the point that even with the walkthroughs they were a challenge. The game was also really linear; your reward for solving a puzzle was: the next puzzle. Hm. In its favor, I did like the way that you could toggle from one character to the other.

I have Aura too. In fact, I bought it shortly before Revelation came out, just to have something to do until then. I'd just gotten into it when Revelation became available, and never finished it. I guess I ought to install it again...

Yes, the Syberia adventures were wonderful. A lovely concept, beautifully crafted. I have to agree with you though, Mowog, about the dialogue - but I think they got it right with Oscar! I look forward to Benoit Sokal's forthcoming game, Lost Paradise.

I'd like to try Rhem (I and II) sometime. I've looked at the demos and I liked what I saw. I think the plot is minimal, but that seems to lend the puzzles a certain uncontrived honesty - though they look difficult! The graphics and sounds are atmospheric and there is a refined spareness which appeals to me.

One more thing I forgot to mention about the Syberia games is , for me, they have the most user friendly menus, inventories and save games apparatus that I have seen so far. At minimum equal to Return to Mysterious Island.

Thietris, i woudlnt recommend Rhem 1(i havent played 2). I never did finish it but i found it to be a lame impersonation of Myst. It had the same puzzle ideas, same graphics as the orginial Myst(which are ancient by now), and very linear. You had to solve a puzzle, which could only be solved by doing this puzzle, etc. There is little to no plot and is very tedious and confusing. I tried about four times to get into it and i fell asleep every time. IT IS SO BORING. Then again, i heard it was made by one person, so it must be impressive for that. But i dont find it an excuse to wate 9.99 on it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nanoukmetal:
If anybody has been able to finish the first Syberia without having to check a walkthrough once in a while (specially the canal gates puzzle where I was not, even, being able to find the "numbers on the side of the control panel" for a hint, please let me know your IQ score.


I've played both Syberia games without any hint and I've no idea of what mi IQ score is!!! I've simply found them easier than some Myst games like Riven or Revelation (does anyone remember the marbles puzzle in Riven?).Nevertheless' Syberia is a wonderful game! Did you play Amerzone too?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LEOMAG:
Wow, i didnt know you guys were so against Schizm!


I'm afraid I've create a misanderstanding:I LOVED Schizm II!!! It's a pity that I can't find the first one.I'm italian,and this kind of games here are not very popular, at least not like elsewhere!!!

quote:

Did you play Amerzone too?

I did, but only recently. To my surprise, the game is still available even though it's quite dated. I hadn't heard of it until I became acquainted with Syberia, and read about Benoit Sokal. Amerzone was quite enjoyable, but not surprisingly, it really shows its age when stacked alongside later titles. But the story is very good. I must admit that I found it rather funny that all the characters die as soon as they've talked to you. In Myst, the actors just ignore you once they've had their say. In Amerzone, they speak their peace, then fall over. At least it's clear why they won't speak to you again, unlike in other games...

"I spoke to him on his deathbed."

"What did he say before he died?"

"Eurgh."

Mowog

Hi yeeshaval,
No walkthrough for the Syberia games = IQ 160+.
If I was you, I would make an application to the "Mensa" tribe. Ask Mowog for the address.

As for the Amerzone game...have not seen it around here and I do not buy stuff on the internet.

May the good Italian God of wine be with you.

Forgive my ignorance,but...what is the "Mensa" tribe? It's funny, in italian mensa means cafeteria or refectory!
Oh,and...I'm sorry but I don't drink wine!!

yeeshaval get ready for a big ride...click here

For Myst fans whose main langage is not Italian, go and search in google for Mensa and look for your country of origin.

Mensa==cafeteria for the mind and soul ??

You got to be kidding!!!
Only the idea of doing a test like that gives me a panic attack!!! But thank you, anyway.I'll keep the Mensa address and, who knows, maybe after a Syberia 5 or a Myst 9 I'll feel confident enough to give it a try!!
Oh, tonight I feel like an orphan: I've completed End Of Ages and Still Life too. I'm in desperate need of new puzzles!!! I NEED A NEW GAME!!
I was thinking to buy Rhem II... what do you think? Does anyone tryed this one?

It might be a good idea for you to go to page one in this thread and read all the posts...click here


P.S. Have you played all the other Myst games and Uru Complete Chronicles ?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nanoukmetal,

Yes I did!!
Except Uru..I mean,not the Complete Chronicles,I've played just the basic game.I can't find here To D'ni and The Path Of The Shell and, like you, I do not buy on internet.
I'm absolutely in love with the Myst saga!

If ever you would like to play them, buy Uru Complete Chronicles (white box) and you get Uru plus the two expansions pack in the same box for almost the same price.(+- 30.$)
The Path of the Shell alone is listed at $20.

Uru to D'ni is free and can be downloaded off many websites. But i tried playing it, and im not sure its worth it. It seems like the goal of every puzzle is to get a new hat or shirt for your avatar.

sorry to say but there is nothing quite like myst!! After trying a few of them my thoughts are... Schizm lovely environments but annoying puzzles and i couldnt look round enough. Mysterious island, Amerzone and Syberia I didnt last longer then 10 min. Reah,I haven't finished it yet but for an old game is pretty good. So I reckon that myst is pretty unique and cant be replaced! Although I would love to find sonething that would keep me as hooked as myst...