It's a timeless classic, although a bit on the "git gud" side. Grinding will be needed to learn to play it well. But it's really all skill based, with a very small luck component. I usually like easier games that focus more on exploration and discovery, but this one was a real treat, even with the difficulty of the learning curve. A tip: if you see that a battle is not going well, you can quit to the menu and that will reset you to the last bench. Saves time and risk over having to hunt down your shadow.
Seems like the other reviews fall in one of two categories. Long-time fans of Myst adore this game, while newcomers find it frustrating. I'm in the first camp, and I'll try to explain it to the second. So, first, if you liked Myst, go play this. It's more of the same, beautifully executed. Nuff' said. If you don't know what it's about however... This is a game based on exploration and puzzle solving. The keyword is IMMERSION. To enjoy this game and avoid frustration, you must imagine that you are THERE. The game has TONS of tiny details that are completely useless plot-wise, but create a perfect environment and atmosphere. Savor it. Look at the sights. Check out the teddy bear on the sofa and the picture on the wall. Imagine what it was like for the people who lived here. Try to picture what happened here, what was said and done. Don't think of the game as pixels on the screen and interaction points that must be clicked in the right order. Think of it as an alternative reality that YOU are a part of. And it will become an experience to enjoy, rather than an exercise in frustration. And this brings us to the second point. Puzzles. Cyan is the only company that I've seen pull this off, but the puzzles actually blend in perfectly with the game world. They MAKE SENSE in that world. It's not just looking for a round peg to fit in a round hole, there's no unrealistic "game logic". Rather, these puzzles were made by rational people for rational reasons in a rational (in-game) world. And when you look at them that way, they become a LOT easier to solve. I'll repeat - the puzzles are MUCH easier when you are IMMERSED in the game. I've not seen it in any other game. That said, you'll still need patience. This isn't a game you can rush through. Take it slow and deliberate. Take breaks. Come back later with a clear head. Check out places you've already been at, you might have missed something. There's no pressure of time in this game, relax and enjoy it!
