Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
While not new, Myst for Nintendo 3DS is fun, challenging.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Myst (Nintendo 3DS)
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo 3DS
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , reading , storytelling , Math : counting , patterns , shapes , Science : energy
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : analyzing evidence , applying information , deduction , Self-Direction : achieving goals , Communication : listening
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Maximum Family Games
- Release date : July 24, 2012
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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