Overview
Myst is one of the most important games ever made. Released in 1993 by Cyan Worlds, it was the best-selling PC game of the 1990s, invented a genre, and introduced the idea that a game could tell a story through environmental observation rather than text or cutscenes. The 2021 remake is Cyan's latest reinvention: a full 3D rebuild that plays in both VR and flatscreen, with support for multiple endings (new in this version) and an optional puzzle randomisation mode for replay.
The premise is deceptively simple. You arrive on Myst Island, an abandoned place filled with machines, books, and two brothers — Sirrus and Achenar — trapped in books, each claiming the other is responsible for killing their father Atrus. The world is yours to explore. There is no inventory, no combat, no guided objectives. You observe, deduce, and operate mechanisms to open new areas and gather the scattered pages that might free the brothers — or not. Every puzzle solution comes from paying careful attention to the island itself.
In VR: A Different Kind of Presence
Playing Myst on a flat screen is beautiful. Playing it in VR is something else. The island exists around you at physical scale: the mechanical clock tower looms above; the water ripples below the dock; the library feels genuinely enclosed and musty. Cyan built a VR-first version alongside the flatscreen version rather than retrofitting, which means the VR experience was considered from the design stage. PCMag gave it 4.5/5 and called it "the best way to play Myst — especially in VR." 6DOF Reviews gave it a 9 (as a declared Myst fan).
The 2021 version adds two significant features beyond graphical rebuilding: multiple endings (the original had only one canonical ending) and the ability to randomise puzzle solutions for replay. A photo mode allows capturing puzzle clues for reference — genuinely useful in VR where note-taking is awkward. The game also remains available on flatscreen PC and Mac, meaning schools without VR headsets can still access it.
Myst vs. Riven: Which to Choose?
Myst is the Gateway. Riven (2024) is the Deeper Experience.
Both are available at similar prices ($29.99 for Myst, $35 for Riven 2024). Riven is the sequel and is widely considered the more sophisticated and challenging game. But Riven requires no prior Myst knowledge to play, and many puzzle-focused teachers may ask: which should I get? The honest answer depends on your students. Myst is shorter (5-6 hours vs 20-40 for Riven), more accessible, and a gentler introduction to the Cyan style of environmental puzzle-solving. Riven is harder, longer, has no hints, and scored higher on this site (9.0 vs 8.0). For students new to this style of game, Myst first. For confident, self-directed older students: go directly to Riven.
Curriculum Value
Accessibility (new players)
7.8
Age and Difficulty Context
Myst is appropriate for KS3 upwards but works best with older, self-directed students. It has no explicit violence or inappropriate content (rated Everyone by ESRB). The puzzles are genuinely challenging and have no in-game hint system — though the 2021 version's photo mode helps with note-taking in VR. For younger KS3 students, allowing collaborative solving is advisable. The randomised puzzle option means the game retains challenge on a second playthrough.
What Critics Say
PCMag4.5/5
"This is the best way to play Myst — especially in VR. At nearly 30 years old, Myst remains a remarkable experience, made all the more accessible and enthralling in this modern iteration."
6DOF Reviews9/10
"I'm a massive fan of Myst. The VR version is the leather-bound special edition the series deserves. In virtual reality, the puzzle box still confounds, even as it shows its age."
PC GamerMixed
"Myst, no matter how it looks in 2021, feels pretty outdated. In VR it's nice to see Myst from a new perspective, but the world remains mostly static — it still feels more like a painting of a place than an actual place."
Steam user (verified)88% Positive
"Myst is my favorite game of all time. Playing it in VR makes it even better. The island is beautiful at scale and the puzzles feel more natural to interact with using controllers than a mouse."
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- 88% Steam positive from ~1,924 reviews
- Cyan Worlds — original creators — built VR mode from the design stage
- Multiple endings (new in 2021 version) add discussion value
- Puzzle randomisation for replay
- Photo mode for capturing clues in VR
- Available flatscreen PC/Mac as well as VR
- Everyone-rated — KS3 and above
- Frequently on sale significantly below list price
Considerations
- 30-year-old game design — some mechanics feel dated
- No in-game hint system
- PC Gamer: world feels static compared to newer VR games
- Riven (2024) is the stronger recommendation for experienced puzzle players
- Shorter than Riven: 5-6 hours for most players
