Myst 4: Revelation Review

Apart from hiding important pieces of evidence, the graphics in the game looks vivid and luscious, with many brightly colored and detailed textures and fantastically designed creatures. You will sometimes just stand there doing nothing in order to see all the beauty of the age you're stuck in, and still you won't be able to behold the glory of the world of Myst. The surroundings are really splendid and never get monotonous or dreary, and rare examples of monotony are purposeful, for example, there are many similar screens in the humanless age of Haven in order to confuse you and give you the impression of being lost in the jungle.

On the southern hemisphere, you can see some superconjuctors... superintendants... floating satelites.

I guess I could indulge in some pirate life on this shipwreck... if only I could find some rum, that is.

All ages differ significantly but they do have several images in common, which makes them all the more special. The creatures that appear in the game are diverse and with distinct character, and they certainly make you feel less lonely. You will also meet other characters on rare occasions through the game. The quality of the pre-rendered animations is very high, making this game a true beauty to behold.

Voice acting is done professionally, though sometimes with a bit of affectation and exaggeration. Overall, the sound is almost perfect, the ambient sounds being diverse and high quality and the musical score being one of the best I've ever heard, fitting into the atmosphere of the game perfectly and making it more intense.

Revelation is a game that will be enjoyed by many. Old fans of the series will love it and some new players will also be attracted to it thanks to the inclusion of the puzzle-solver. This game is a feast for the eyes and ears and can boast an excellent story that unfolds brilliantly. Still, it also has some drawbacks, such as the problem with discerning which objects are vital to finishing the game. Another major issue is finding hotspots on heavily saturated screens with millions of details. It is strange that some detailed screens hold practically no objects of any importance, whereas some surprisingly empty screens have loads of them. Although the experience of playing Myst IV: Revelation can be considered worthwhile, some puzzles simply aren't rewarding enough and you'll understand what I'm saying after you spend several hours on one. There are several new and very helpful objects, such as the hint system, the camera and the zip mode, which can transport you instantly to some of the places you've last visited (you cannot travel through ages, though).

Revelation is an excellent, but very difficult game, unfortunately the gamer that would fully appreciate it is, I am afraid, almost extinct. But, if you've passed a course or two in anger management and are not afraid to travel the ages of Tomahna, Spire, Haven, and Serenia with nothing more than a mouse and your functioning gray matter, you are sure to enjoy Revelation and the search for the prodigal sons of Atrus.