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9 Games Like Myst

Explore 9 remarkable games that mimic the enchanting puzzle-adventure experience of Myst. Dive into narratives, settings, and puzzles that spark your curiosity.

Discover many adventures akin to the renowned classic Myst, awaiting your exploration and problem-solving flair. Delight in a compilation of games, similar to the re-imagined Myst now available in Virtual Reality, offers engaging narratives, vibrant settings, and thought-provoking puzzles.

Venture into universes like Braid’s, solve time manipulation puzzles in the darkened corridors of Darkestville Castle or experience the Renaissance through The House Of Da Vinci 3’s distinctive lens.

Understanding Myst

Brief Introduction to the Gameplay of Myst

Originally released in 1993, Myst is a classic puzzle-adventure game renowned for its enigmatic storyline and immersive gameplay. The game takes players on an exhilarating journey through intricately designed worlds filled with unique challenges, requiring them to solve a series of complex puzzles that continue to engage and thrill even today.

The allure of Myst lies not only in its compelling gameplay but also in its innovative blend of graphics, sound, and interactive storytelling, which was groundbreaking at the time of its release.

Features that define Myst

Myst is characterized by several defining features that have set it apart from contemporary games. Its immersive exploration-driven gameplay, innovative use of discovery-based narratives, and complex puzzles that often challenge the player’s perceptions make this game a unique and enchanting experience.

The game’s iconic still-screen navigation mechanics provide a fresh and unique approach to exploration. And with the updated version playable in Virtual Reality, the sense of wonder and exploration in Myst is amplified like never before.

1. The Witness

the witness

Year of its Release

The Witness was released in 2016 and has captivated audiences with its enchanting island setting and intricate puzzles ever since.

Genre and Basic Plot

The game belongs to the puzzle genre aligning closely with Myst’s style, where you, as the player, uncover an intriguing non-linear story set on an abandoned island.

Platforms It’s Available On

The Witness is available on multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and iOS.

Similarities to Myst

Just like Myst, The Witness thrives on its exploratory gameplay and puzzle-solving. It presents players with around 500 puzzles throughout the course of the game, inviting them to explore the island and unveiling the story progressively.

2. Braid

braid

Year of its Release

Braid, an indie game with numerous accolades for its unique gameplay, was first released in 2009.

Description of the Gameplay

Much like Myst, this platformer game encourages players to think outside the box – however, in this case, the twist is time manipulation. Players must traverse through levels, using time control to solve intricate puzzles.

Supported Platforms

Braid can play on platforms such as Windows PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, macOS, and Linux.

Comparisons with Myst

The heart of both Myst and Braid lies in intricate puzzle-solving. Nevertheless, while Myst creates complexity through its environment, Braid manipulates time, creating tangled narratives that engross players.

3. Darkestville Castle

darkestville

Its Release Date

Darkestville Castle was launched in 2017, immersing players in its darkly humorous universe.

Gameplay Dynamics

This game is a tribute to the traditional point-and-click adventure games infused with dark humor. It involves exploration, collecting items, and solving puzzles, providing an atmospheric, immersive experience.

Platforms It’s Accessible On

You can play Darkestville Castle on some platforms, including Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Its Relation to Myst

Although Darkestville Castle belongs to a slightly different genre, it carries the essence of Myst in its puzzle-solving gameplay and exploratory elements. The point-and-click nature mirrors Myst’s still-screen navigation, albeit with a different stylistic approach.

4. The House Of Da Vinci 3

the house of da vinci iii

Time it was Launched

The House of Da Vinci 3, a Renaissance-themed puzzle game, was launched in 2020.

Details about the Gaming Genre

Inspired by the works of Leonardo Da Vinci, the game tasks players to explore Da Vinci’s world while solving puzzles using the Oculus Perpetua, a device that can alter time and space.

Platforms for Availability

This game is available on Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android platforms.

How it Resembles Myst

Much like Myst, The House Of Da Vinci 3 emphasizes puzzle-solving infused with exploration. However, it adds the twist of time manipulation into its puzzles, creating a fresh approach to the genre that intrigues Myst fans.

5. Ever Forward

ever forward

Year it was Released

Ever Forward was released in 2020, offering a dystopian narrative-driven adventure game.

Summary of the Gameplay

In Ever Forward, the player navigates the hauntingly beautiful environments and solves various puzzles. Utilizing intelligence and skill are the keys to progress in the story.

Platforms It’s Present On

Ever Forward can be played on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Its Similarity to Myst

Much like Myst, Ever Forward focuses on navigating through beautifully designed spaces and solving puzzles as part of immersive gameplay, unraveling the storyline along the way.

6. Eastshade

Date of its Release

Eastshade was released in 2019, offering its players a relaxing, immersive experience.

Brief Game Description

Eastshade is a beautifully designed game that invites players to experience the life of a traveling painter. The task is to help others by painting specific artworks for them while exploring the breathtaking world that surrounds them.

Available Platforms

Eastshade is available on several platforms, such as PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

How It’s Like Myst

While Eastshade’s gameplay is more nurturing and relaxed, the exploration and interaction-driven approach is reminiscent of Myst. The world is full of secrets waiting to be discovered, drawing players in like Myst.

7. Superliminal

superliminal

Year it Came Out

Superliminal was released in 2019, delivering an experience that breaks boundaries in the puzzle-adventure genre.

Short Game Analysis

Superliminal is a unique first-person game that uses perception and perspective-altering puzzles as key mechanics. The environment adapts based on perspective, making the exploration thoroughly intriguing.

Platforms It Can Be Played On

Superliminal is accessible on platforms like Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Connections to Myst

While Superliminal diverges from Myst’s gameplay mechanics, the way it tickles the brain with challenging puzzles resonates with the spirit of Myst.

8. Portal 2

portal 2

Its Release Year

Portal 2, one of the most iconic puzzle games ever made, was released in 2011.

Overview of the Gameplay

Portal 2 is an innovative game that blends unique puzzle mechanics with a compelling story. You interact with the game world by creating interconnected portals, which are applied to solve a series of spatially challenging puzzles.

Platforms It Can Be Accessed On

Portal 2 can be played on Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Links to Myst

Portal 2 and Myst may differ in gameplay mechanics, yet they share the exploratory puzzle-solving narrative so familiar and loved in Myst.

9. Thimbleweed Park

thimbleweed park

Year it Came Out

Thimbleweed Park was launched in 2017 as a tribute to classic point-and-click games.

Game Plot Description

The game unravels a darkly comedic story and takes players deep into the mysteries of Thimbleweed Park as they engage with its oddball inhabitants and challenge themselves with its complex puzzles.

Accessible Platforms

Thimbleweed Park is available on Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

Similarity with Myst

While Myst and Thimbleweed Park differ stylistically, they share core gameplay elements. Thimbleweed Park’s emphasis on exploration, puzzle-solving, and point-and-click mechanics makes it an enjoyable experience for fans of Myst.

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By Jupiter Hadley

Jupiter is an avid indie gaming journalist that covers lesser titles. She highlights thousands of game jams and independent games on YouTube. She judges several jams and events and oversees indiegamejams.com, a global game jam calendar.