When it released in 1993, Myst was an early PC gaming success story, selling over six million copies and holding the title of best-selling PC game for almost a decade. Over the years, Myst has gotten countless ports, remakes, and updates. A Nintendo Switch version even released earlier in 2020. So, what is it about Myst that appeals to gamers, and especially fans of the adventure genre?
The plot of Myst is fairly simple. Players are sucked into the world through a book (which is also titled Myst), and then must play through different Ages on the island in order to advance the story. Designed by the Miller Brothers and developed by Cyan Inc., Myst has gotten spin-off novels and even a TV show adaptation that's been in development for some time. Almost thirty years after it initially released, Myst is still a popular and beloved classic.
The reasons for Myst's initial success is fairly simple. At the time of its release in '93, Myst had impressive graphics and an immersive world. It even helped the industry adopt CD-ROMs, which was a pretty new format at the time. It was an adventure game that seemed real, unlike point-and-click adventures like King's Quest or Monkey Island, which preferred more stylistic and cartoonish art styles over realism. That doesn't necessarily explain why it's remained popular for almost three decades, though.
Myst Is Still Iconic In 2020
Newer games have come along since 1993, some of them blatant Myst clones, that contain better graphics and improved mechanics. By today's standards, even Myst's cutting-edge features are pretty common. So, why do adventure game fans still love it? There are factors like nostalgia and people wanting to play Myst for its historical importance, like watching an old film that's considered a classic even if the acting feels a bit melodramatic by modern standards. However, one of the biggest reasons Myst has endured is because of its immersive, in-depth world.
In 1993, Myst's in-depth world was one of the main reasons critics and players adored it. Even today, adventure gamers love Myst because of the immersive experience it gives. The game encourages exploration in a fairly laid-back environment, so for those who love to explore in a calming atmosphere, it's perfect. For fans of adventure games, Myst remains a must-play title.
Over the years, copycats and newer games with better graphics have tried to dethrone Myst, but the game remains popular, especially among fans of adventure games. It's why so many studios have tried to adapt the game into a movie or TV show. Myst remains a classic entry in the adventure genre, and as long as the game is continued to be ported to new consoles, it will likely stay popular.