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I haven't noticed anyone here chatting much about the Myst series or this new game Obduction, but it released recently (On the 24) and I'm curious how you all feel about it and the Myst series that predates it. Please avoid spoiling the solution to puzzles, but I think it's fine to talk about them in vague terms.

So far I've been playing the game at a very slow pace, I think I've only completed the first two major puzzles. But so far both of them have been great, with very logical and sensible in-world solutions. I've always loved the way that the Myst games made most of their puzzles not feel like puzzles. You never had to collect items and use them in crazy combinations to do something that no one in real life would ever consider doing. The majority of the puzzles in Myst and Riven (So far the only two Myst games I've played) really felt like you were just manipulating the world itself the same way the people who lived their used to. I think Obduction captures that feeling perfectly, at least for the start so far.

Also the music is fantastic. It kind of sounds like the Myst/Riven soundtrack with sci-fi elements to them, which I guess is perfect. The game does have to do with aliens of course.

I was very surprised that the game uses real life actors in FMV for all the character interactions too, that's excellent. Honestly I haven't played a lot of games with real actors, but this makes me wish they never dropped in popularity. The FMV scenes are very high quality and don't feel out of place in the game world.

What do you all think?

I watched the Giant Bomb quick look and it looks amazing.

Just started playing it and finished the first, "Level," which took me roughly 4 hours to do with no guides. If the other 3 take just as long, I can happily say that a 16-hour Kickstarter game from the people who made one of my all time favorite franchises is money well spent.

The world is full of depth, the core principles and ideas are intelligent and brilliantly written. I noticed a review from PC Gamer complaining about hints being highlighted in the in-game text, but I never experienced that. I think they had a setting on that I did not. As for the puzzles, I only found one to be somewhat arbitrary and relied on being incredibly thorough in your investigation. I had no problem with it, because I am used to these types of games, but I could see how a lot of people would be frustrated with it.

They put a lot of really smart ideas into this and I am thrilled to see Richard Watson recovering from his brain surgery and help develop the world and puzzles with the enthusiasm he had for the Myst franchise. For those that don't know, he developed the entirity of the D'ni culture, language structure, number system etc. and worked out all of the scientific theories behind how the world works. The guy is a mad genius with an emphasis on mad, but damn it if he doesn't make some amazing ideas come to life. Also, he was the main character in Myst V. It's... complicated.

Also, did anyone catch the D'ni reference in the very beginning of the game?



Made me squee.

So I am towards the end (I am guessing), no guides or anything so far. The thing that I find hardest and tends to use up heaps of my time, is that I miss interactive items.



Also lots of "find out the code" puzzle for doors, etc. Some are easier than others and some just leave me stumped for ages.