Myst (Nintendo 3DS)

Review

Common Sense Media says

While not new, Myst for Nintendo 3DS is fun, challenging.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning2
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know this new version of Myst is almost exactly like the other versions over the past 20-odd years but has an extra "age" and is playable in 3D. But kids 7 and under shouldn't use the glasses-free 3D effect as it could affect the development of their eyes, says Nintendo. The story also contains some dialogue about brothers who accuse each other in the murder of their father.

  • Positive messages4
    The game is a puzzle-filled, non-violent adventure. There are no characters you meet in person (other than watching some holographic messages), but you read about many of them and work through various contraptions.
  • Positive role models4
    You don't see or hear your character, nor do you know anything about yourself and why you're the star of this surreal tale, but you assume the role of the Stranger, who uses a magical book to travel to the island of Myst and explore various "ages."
  • Ease of play3
    The game is fairly easy to navigate on the island and between the different worlds, but the puzzles can be very tricky -- especially for younger or novice gamers. The Nintendo 3DS controls are fairly good, though.
  • Violence1
    There is some dialogue about patricide, as two brothers accuse each other in the killing their father.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
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What kids can learn

2

Kids can learn logic, memory, and deduction skills by solving a series of puzzles. While the puzzles can get quite difficult, Myst for Nintendo 3DS can challenge player to solve various conundrums, such as switching levers to gain entrance to a spaceship. Myst has a number of challenging puzzles, but many of them are obtuse and difficult to grasp.

Subjects
  • Arts
  • Hobbies
Skills
  • Responsibility & Ethics
  • Tech Skills
  • Health & Fitness
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What's it about?

In case you've never played the 1993 classic or any of the many remakes over the last two decades, MYST is a puzzle-filled adventure game that stars you, as the Stranger, who stumbles upon a magical book called Myst. On the last page of the book, the player is zapped to the mysterious island world. While unraveling a tale about brothers, Sirrus and Achenar, and their parents, Atrus and Catherine, the player must tackle a number of head-scratching (and often obscure) environmental puzzles spread out through the island and between various ages in order to solve the game's epic tale. The Nintendo 3DS version is playable in 3D without glasses and includes a new "age" not found in the original PC/Mac game.

Is it any good?

 

This Myst isn't the most polished version of the game -- the most impressive out of all the recent remakes would be the $5 Myst for iOS devices -- but it's not bad, either. The glasses-free 3D effect is decent, though not extraordinary. Stylus pen integration could have been better given the platform. The Circle Pad used to move the cursor around is somewhat sloppy and inaccurate.

Those with patience  -- which is required for this kind of slower-paced puzzle game -- will muddle through it because of the engaging story, beautiful environments, and challenging (if not obscure) puzzles. The new "Rime" age will also be a treat for fans, but doesn't add too much to the overall experience. This port of an old game with some new bells and whistles seems steep for the price, especially when you can pick up the iPad version for under $5.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk why some games get rereleased multiple times over the years, for different platforms.

  • Are adventure games like this one your favorite genre of games to play?

This review of Myst (Nintendo 3DS) was written by

What kids can learn

2

Kids can learn logic, memory, and deduction skills by solving a series of puzzles. While the puzzles can get quite difficult, Myst for Nintendo 3DS can challenge player to solve various conundrums, such as switching levers to gain entrance to a spaceship. Myst has a number of challenging puzzles, but many of them are obtuse and difficult to grasp.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading: following directions, reading, storytelling
  • Math: counting, patterns, shapes
  • Science: energy
  • Social Studies:
  • Arts:
  • Hobbies:
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, applying information, deduction
  • Creativity:
  • Self-Direction: achieving goals
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication: listening
  • Collaboration:
  • Responsibility & Ethics:
  • Tech Skills:
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

In case you've never played the 1993 classic or any of the many remakes over the last two decades, MYST is a puzzle-filled adventure game that stars you, as the Stranger, who stumbles upon a magical book called Myst. On the last page of the book, the player is zapped to the mysterious island world. While unraveling a tale about brothers, Sirrus and Achenar, and their parents, Atrus and Catherine, the player must tackle a number of head-scratching (and often obscure) environmental puzzles spread out through the island and between various ages in order to solve the game's epic tale. The Nintendo 3DS version is playable in 3D without glasses and includes a new "age" not found in the original PC/Mac game.

How kids will learn

Kids will learn by walking around the mysterious island and visiting a number of "ages" to solve many environmental puzzles. Solving the puzzles moves the game along by accomplishing goals (such as repeating a musical pattern on an organ or matching gears to operate a machine). Using logic, gamers can perform tasks to unravel more of the story and unlock new areas to explore.

How parents can help

  • Check out fantasy novels about time travel and surreal artwork to appreciate what you see in this game.
  • Discuss these fantastic concepts to help unleash children's imaginations.
  • Encourage kids to write out fantasy fiction.
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Topics:magic and fantasy, adventures, brothers and sisters
Platforms:Nintendo 3DS
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Adventure
Developer:Maximum Family Games
Release date:July 24, 2012
Price:$29.99
ESRB rating:E for (Nintendo 3DS)
This review of Myst (Nintendo 3DS) was written by

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