Mr. PSVR-2
When you think about games that defined an entire genre—adventure, mystery, puzzle-solving—everyone has their own pick for what makes a classic. But one title stands out for its sheer staying power across almost every platform imaginable. Myst has jumped from PC to console, to mobile, to VR, and back again. Even with updated versions like realMyst and the Masterpiece Edition, each iteration captured that same enchanting pull, luring us back to explore the island’s mysterious ages.
I still remember spotting Myst back in 1993—it was one of those games that made me realize I actually needed a PC to experience it. Years later, that same game holds a special place in my memory. Watching Myst and its sequels evolve across platforms—from consoles to handhelds to mobile—was fascinating in its own right. But the moment I first played it, I couldn’t help thinking how perfect it would be in virtual reality. Cyan clearly understood that too, and they’ve managed to recreate the same sense of wonder and mystery with each adaptation. So how does Cyan approach this beloved world in their latest entry? Let’s find out with Myst for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2.
Myst has journeyed across countless platforms—from PC to mobile and beyond—and spawned a series of sequels, including Riven, Myst III: EXILE, Myst IV: Revelation, and Myst V: End of Ages. The classic point-and-click adventure has evolved significantly over the years, with improved sound design and refined interactions. Before diving in, I should mention that Myst features challenging puzzles—some genuinely frustrating—but don’t let that discourage you from experiencing this game, whether you’re returning to it or discovering it for the first time. I’ll do my best not to hand out puzzle solutions, since figuring them out yourself is where some of the real enjoyment lies.
When you first start the game, there is somethings that you want to make sure you do. First, make sure your controller is charged. I guess you could keep it plugged in if all else fails, but by this point, always remember to keep your controllers charged. Next, you will have to make a choice about the puzzle randomization. Do you want the puzzles to be as they are from the classic 1993 Myst, or do you want them randomized? As a big fan of the Myst franchise, there is something about going classic, but the choice is yours. You will also want to go into the settings menu. Here, you can see how the controller buttons are mapped, as well as selecting your language, having subtitles on (which I had mine set to on, but it only showed at the beginning for some reason, no matter how many times I tried), sound context subtitles for those that may be hard of hearing or playing without sound, color context subtitles for those that have moderate to severe color blindness, and classic video mode, which here depends on how familiar you are with Myst. If you enjoy the FMV-style, then select classic; if you want the updated character videos, make sure classic video mode is set to off. There is also the option to always show the tutorials. Performance mode will turn off some graphical features like Ray Tracing in order to increase your framerate, and then we have smart cursor visibility, which will always show the cursor while you are moving. I will say I do like how the cursor looks like the old cursor style from when the game originally came out. Once you have everything as you like it, which you can always go into settings at any time to make changes to, it’s time to get started.
In Myst, you step into the role of an unnamed traveler who stumbles upon a mysterious book simply titled MYST. This book is more than it appears—touching its pages transports you to a strange island filled with puzzles, secrets, and other worlds known as Ages. Early on, you hear the voice of Atrus, the creator of the MYST book and the linking system that allows travel between these worlds. Atrus is married to Catherine, and together they have two sons, Sirrus and Achenar. Driven by greed, the brothers are ultimately punished and imprisoned within special books—Sirrus trapped in the red book and Achenar in the blue one. As you explore the island and its Ages, you’ll spend much of your time solving puzzles, paying close attention to audio and written clues, and tracking down the scattered red and blue pages tied to their fate.
Myst is also very much a thinking person’s game. Many puzzles encourage you to slow down, take notes, and write things down—coordinates, symbols, numbers, or anything that feels important. In fact, the original release even had a dedicated hint book you could buy, which says a lot about how challenging and detailed some of the puzzles can be. Careful observation and a willingness to experiment are key, and that sense of discovery is what has always made Myst so memorable.
One thing you will notice across Myst is the Marker Switches. Some do simple things like turn something on to even allow doors to be opened. But it’s going to be up to you to try not to try and speed run through everything, because if you do, you will become frustrated. What makes Myst so special is the clues and how you obtain them. A lot of what you need to know, at least for the beginning, is in the books in the library. Also in the library, you will find the red and blue books. These are important, as when you first interact with them, the message you are receiving is not very clear. To fix this, you will need to find the different red and blue pages throughout the different ages of Myst.
As you solve puzzles, you are on the lookout for the linking books of Myst, called ages. You’ll explore four distinct ages: the Mechanical Age, Stoneship Age, Channelwood Age, and Selenitic Age. Each one has its own unique set of puzzles that fit perfectly with the environment—you won’t feel like you’re solving generic riddles, but rather challenges that belong in that particular world. As you hunt down pages scattered throughout these ages and work your way back to the library to restore them to the red and blue books, you’ll realize there’s more going on than initially meets the eye. That’s when the game truly reveals just how atmospheric and immersive Myst really is.
Many puzzles require you to move back and forth between locations, especially once you realize that sound itself can be a clue. You’ll need to listen carefully to figure out when it’s time to progress. Take the furnace puzzle early on: you have to crank up the gas to rotate a tree outside, then immediately shut it off, rush out the door, and reach the tree before it closes. Miss the timing, and you’re back to square one, trying again until you nail it. Some puzzles will require you to go back and forth, such as when you have to pump water out so you can retrieve the keys. Some may require you to make sure the water flows properly, or even before you can get into the Selenitic Age, there is a puzzle that has frustrated players for years, and that is the keyboard puzzle. This is where you have to kit the keys on the keyboard and match that sound with the panel. Yes, it’s here when you realize that when you’ve been told all your life that you need to listen and listen better, it was all made for moments like this.
Let’s talk about the visuals of Myst. When Myst first became available on PC, there was just something about it, even back then. With every edition release for the respective platforms, whether it was for the 3DO, Sega Saturn, PS1, PSP, Nintendo DS, mobile, or even for VR, Myst keeps getting better and better. When playing on the PS5, I saw details that have been vastly improved upon, and this release is no different. From how the water has improved to even how the FMV has still held up to this day, Myst is visually something that should be experienced.
I spent my time playing with the PlayStation Pulse Elite headset, and honestly, the audio was stunning. The voice messages came through crystal clear, and even the small details—like the tactile click of a physical button—sounded exactly the way they should. It’s the kind of immersion that just makes you stop and smile as the world hums to life around you. What really impressed me was how the music shifts as you move between different Ages. It’s all so well-balanced and never feels jarring, which is huge considering how much this game relies on your ears to solve puzzles. Having that level of audio depth doesn’t just help with the gameplay; it really makes each Age feel like a living, breathing place.
If there was anything I would love to see when it comes to Myst is for the entire franchise to come to current-gen consoles and beyond, as well as for every one of the titles to receive the VR treatment, including the spin-off – Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, with all the expansions.
In the beginning of this review, I also mentioned how Myst is out for PS5 and PS VR2. Yes, even though Myst has been available for PC VR and the Meta Quest platforms, it is now time for Myst to receive the PS VR2 treatment, and if you thought playing Myst for this generation of consoles looked good, get ready, as the PS VR2 version is a pleasant experience.
Playing Myst on PS VR2 is very simple, and even if you have been playing the game on PS5, you can continue in VR, and if, for some reason, you wanted to, you could then play back on the PS5 or on the PlayStation Portal. The choice is all yours. I will say that the loading screen shows the MYST book flipping through the pages, but on PS VR2, the detail is there. For example, in the Selentic Age, just watching the water and the fog coming off the water was impressive and made you feel that you were in that Age.
By playing the game on PS VR2, you do get access to additional options such as navigation mode, turn mode, and even free movement mode, as well as some comfort options such as quick travel on ladders if you do not feel like you want to climb or even fast travel on stairs. Why walk or run when you can just magically be there? And just like on the PS5, here, you can easily go into the settings to make changes at any time.
But I decided to see how everything would look from the beginning of the game, and again, I was not disappointed at all. From seeing the ship partly sticking out of the waves, to even just birds flying over, all was immersive and looked great. But I also wanted to see how the updated characters would look, so I made the switch to see how everything looked.
There is a timelessness to Myst that transcends the hardware you play it on. Thanks to Cyan’s focus on accessibility, that door is now open to everyone, with options to adjust turning mechanics, fast travel, and more.
What makes Myst unforgettable is the way it drops you into a strange and beautiful place and simply trusts you. Beneath its puzzles lives a story about light and darkness, truth and deception, and choices made without all the answers.
In VR, especially, Myst becomes something different entirely. You are no longer looking at the island — you are standing on it. The haunting beauty that once lived behind a screen now surrounds you completely, and the weight of every decision feels more immediate, more personal.
Regardless of platform, Myst is more than a game — it’s an experience, a piece of gaming history that deserves to be lived. Whether your first visit to the island or a return after years away, it remains one of those rare games that stays with you long after you’ve left. Like life, it reminds us that sometimes we have to listen to that quiet voice inside to find our way home.
Myst is out now on consoles for the PS5 & PS VR2 on the PlayStation Store and also for the Xbox Series X|S on the Microsoft Store, and is also out for Meta Quest 2 & 3 on the Meta Store and for PC & PC VR on Steam. A review code was provided.
To learn more about Cyan, please visit their site, follow them on BlueSky, like them on Facebook, follow them on X, follow them on Instagram, follow them on Twitch, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I have to keep exploring — and until the Rift opens again, know that you are appreciated.
