The new game picks up where the original Myst ended, with players presented with the privilege, challenge and responsibility of restoring the lost empire of the D'ni - an ancient civilisation of people who thrived for thousands of years but later met with a great catastrophe.

A player embarks on an epic journey as the only explorer who can still save the empire - or destroy it with the wrong choices.

Like each previous Myst title, End of Ages combines the elements of adventure, puzzles, a storyline and innovative game play.

A pair of 3D-rendered characters - an elderly, goggle-wearing man named Escher and Yeesha, daughter of brilliant scientist Atreus - help move the storyline by providing hints and other information to a player.

End of Ages leads a player to acquire the new game play elements called slates, described as stone tablets that enable communication with mysterious creatures, puzzle-solving and to manipulate the four different 'ages' or 'dimensions' in the game. These dimensions include the desolate and snowy wasteland of Tahgira, where the worst of the D'ni criminals are sent; the astronomy age of Todelmer, with its tall rock spires and large telescopes; the peaceful, grassy surroundings of Noloben; and the tropical world of Laki'ahn.

Puzzles come in many forms and levels of difficulty. These are challenging, but not as hard as those in previous versions of Myst.

The puzzles that cannot be solved alone mean that a player must seek assistance from the game's 'beast people', who are called the Bahro. They appear to have the ability to link at will and perform tasks with the slates.

End of Ages lets a player modify the control scheme with three modes: the Classic Mouse-Click, Classic Plus and Free-Move.

Players who like a first-person shooter feel should choose the Free Mode.

The game's rich environment is helped by the realistic visual rendering of various weather conditions and the living creatures. An innovative facial mapping technology, called 'face over', brings characters alive with an unprecedented range of emotions and expressiveness.

I reviewed the collector's edition package of the game. It includes a bonus DVD with a 25-minute making-of documentary, soundtrack, trailers, and an exclusive 152-page booklet titled Lost Chapters, with an introduction by Cyan Worlds founder and Myst co-creator Rand Miller.

Myst V: End of Ages Collector's Edition

Specifications

Price: $320

Pros: Amazing artwork, impressive 3D environment and compelling storyline

Cons: Too short for a finale