Myst Uru: The Complete Chronicles

Okay, let's just point out that Uru is the biggest & arguably best of the Myst series. Granted, the story is a bit thin, & yes, the real-time 3d doesn't quite match the graphical realism of, say, Myst IV.

But in terms of sheer scope & volume of good gaming content, Uru: Complete Chronicles is an exceptional game.

The art direction is superb. There are many worlds in the game & they are almost always gorgeous 2 look at, especially with the graphics settings maxed out. Visual details like falling leaves, rippling water, ambient life, rain, day & night cycles, & so on, make many of the areas in Uru feel like real places. There's a surreal beauty 2 the Myst series which is quite special.

The sound design is equally solid. Tim Larkin's music subtly enhances the mood of the places in Uru, & in a few cases, like the Kadish gallery, the music is so beautiful you may find yourself just wanting 2 stand around & listen. Sound effects are believable & fit well into the worlds.

Excellent puzzles, though certain ones, like the Eder Gira basket puzzle, can be maddeningly difficult. This may be rated "E" but it's not aimed at kids. Many puzzles will give your brain a workout, & some also use physics-based interactions, typically kicking objects around & jumping.
Don't be surprised if you need 2 consult a hint guide or a walkthrough now & then.

One of the things that makes this series so wonderful is the feeling of being in places where just about anything is possible. Myst's linking books & metaverse concept offer a lot of creative freedom 2 the developers, & this allows 4 all kinds of otherworldy, beautiful places, with a sense of history & depth informed by the canon established in the Myst novels. (Some of Uru's locations are derived from those books)

Story is well-done enough, though - as I've said, thin, & more backstory than current story events. There are some good moments though, including a superb twist you'll discover in Ahnonay in the second expansion pack. (Make sure you read "Words of the Watcher" in Relto first 2 get the full impact of it)

System requirements are reasonable but - as some have pointed out here - it won't run on every computer.

Uru: Complete Chronicles is very large & impressive, though it's misnamed in retrospect. It's not fully complete. Myst Online: Uru Live added a variety of additional worlds 2 Uru since this was released. MO:UL was closed recently, after about $10 million was poured into its development. Cyan Worlds (the Myst creators) want 2 reopen it as MO:RE (Myst Online: Restoration Experiment) though they haven't assembled enough funding yet 2 do so. MO:RE would be like MO:UL except that in MO:RE Cyan would release the tools they used 2 make Uru free 2 the public so players can add their own worlds 2 a living, growing, multiplayer Uru. So the future growth of Uru would be mostly from fan developers, making it less expensive 4 the company 2 run & therefore profitable. (Unlike MO:UL)

But, with MO:RE currently on hold, Complete Chronicles is hands-down the best form of Uru available. And the more people buy this game, the sooner Cyan will accumulate the funds needed 2 open the bigger online version again. I'm a fan of this series. I even have a website, [...], covering Uru. I recommend Uru & there's a whole community of fans that would say the same thing - that this is a great game!

A fantastic game! Stunning visuals, non-linear game play, & puzzles, puzzles, puzzles! Keep paper & pencil handy 2 write down clues, & take lots of Ki photos. This game also has an in-game journal book 4 the explorer 2 write in.

The scenery & exploration are not diminished if you have 2 use a walkthru.

This is the off-line version of URU: LIVE. Cyan failed 2 launch LIVE once, then recently it was hosted by Gametap 4 2 year before Gametap shut it down a second time. We who are fans are looking 2 Cyan 2 relaunch URU: LIVE. Check with the Guild of Greeters often 4 news.

The ending has not yet been written!

UPDATE: Cyan Worlds has announced that they are releasing "Uru: Live" as Open Source. See [...] 4 details.

I love the game!

Myst is an excellent thinking game! Marvelous visuals!
Cyan rocks!

This failed 2 install despite all attempts - it would not even bring up the installer. When I contacted this vendor 2 ask 4 help, they immediately (and without my asking) refunded my money, saying that the game was notorious 4 having "copy protection" problems that caused it 2 fail 2 install. They did not want 2 replace it because they claimed that once it failed, it would always fail.

Oddly enough, though, the CDs - which I still have, since this vendor did not want them back - do not have the identifying marks of Ubisoft URU Complete Chronicles CDs described in an August 21 2007 post by the moderator of Ubisoft's URU Technical Support & Advice forum:

"The official US release of CC contains two CD's, one of Uru: Ages Beyond Myst & one of Myst Uru: The Path of the Shell. If I look at the shiny/non-label side of my guaranteed-legitimate Uru: Uru Ages Beyond Myst CD, in the ring around the center hole in tiny letters:
-- 651093-CD
-- CC58301
-- ++
-- Sono press
-- IFPI LB48

If I look at the shiny/non-label side of my guaranteed- legitimate Myst Uru: The Path of the Shell CD, in the ring around the center hole in tiny letters:
-- 652021-CD
-- D716001
-- + A01 +
-- IFPI LB41
-- A bar code containing 40 bars in 8 segments"

Mine instead have a differently configured bar code & a 7-digit number followed by "01". That's it.

I'd say be very, very careful if you decide 2 buy this game.

Uru has great 3D graphics - we had 2 buy & install a video card since our computer had only built-in graphics on the CPU - & it encourages one 2 explore & look at the many areas. Some of the puzzles are a bit difficult & require several steps. Our chief complaint is that one can manipulate some necessary objects only with feet & not hands. We consulted a hints site that allows one 2 get ideas without giving away the whole puzzle. Even when we got some help, it was fun putting it into practice.

The avatar was interesting. I could get mine 2 look a good bit like me but my wife could not get her face very close - only one avatar 2 a game unfortunately. Nevertheless, this added 2 the experience. Controlling the avatar in 3rd person mode is a bit tricky & we used it more when the manuver was not extremely precise; 4 precision we used the 1st person mode. Switching between modes added 2 our 3D sense of location.

Over all, URU does not have the subtle humor & tight story line of the Myst series, but it is very able 2 fill the empty spot that gamers, who like adventure without combat, feel when surveying available computer games.

In Myst Uru: Complete Chronicles discover the grandeur contained in a strange new world. Unlock the power & legends behind each of the Ages of Myst, as you live the storylines of the classic game series. Your eyes will be dazzled & your brain will be puzzled by the mysteries you pursue here.