After a brief foray into 3D with Uru: Ages beyond Myst, UbiSoft has returned to the core gameplay that made the Myst franchise so popular over time. Myst IV: Revelations is a stunningly artistic title that builds on the evolving story, answers a few nagging questions (while raising a few more!), and presents the most impressive puzzles and challenges yet seen in the series. And it manages to retain the essential Myst atmosphere and complexity, while introducing a host of subtle and not so subtle changes to heighten the game experience and markedly improve accessibility for players who might have given up through frustration in the past. Shipping on two DVDs, Myst IV: Revelation offers hours of challenging gameplay, fantastic environments, and a plot that should hold the interest of veterans and newcomers alike.

Experience with the series will add depth to the story, but Revelation is a decent tale in its own right and novices will have no trouble following the (admittedly loose) threads of Atrus' struggle to find his treacherous sons and put things right across the Ages. Four Ages can be explored, including Tomahna, Spire, Haven and Serenia; spanning peaceful and graceful environments, mountainous terrain, exotic jungles and quiet sanctuaries. The settings are as impressive as ever, beautifully rendered in photo-realistic 2D, and the addition of some movement and interaction doesn't detract from the essentially lonely Myst experience. Live action cut scenes also keep things moving (it's important that you listen to them), and players will be very impressed with their quality and presentation.

Control in Revelation couldn't be simpler, based as it is on a straightforward point and click interface with minimal choices. The environments are context sensitive, so items can be examined and the way ahead can generally be determined by elimination, and the new camera and journal combination makes tracking progress a breeze. Some interesting non-essential interactions have been included to let players examine locations in more detail, all of which add a feeling of life to the 2D environments. The camera can be used to photograph key clues along the way, which can then be viewed as needed in the journal, and you can even add notes. The new Zip Mode interface removes the need to painstakingly retrace steps between locations while solving puzzles - now it's just a matter of clicking on a thumbnail and the Zip Mode takes you straight back. They're seemingly small changes, but they make for a far better experience by allowing players to concentrate on finding solutions and advancing the story.

Those hoping for an easier run this time around will be disappointed, as Revelation brings some remarkably tough challenges and the usual mix of meaningful and confusing advice along the way. Many players will be very happy with the traditional Myst ambiguity, but others will welcome the new optional help feature. Deliberately hidden in the menu, tips come in three levels, ranging from a couple of suggestions to a near-complete walkthrough for each puzzle. When used in conjunction with information gained from the cut scenes, the help system should end the frustration that saw many players give up in the earlier versions. Importantly, though, purists can retain their masochistic tendencies and continue using logic (or blind luck) as they always have. Thanks to clever design work, the help system is a significant improvement that improves accessibility without fundamentally changing the experience.

The Myst series remains a wonderfully conceived and thoughtful aside in an industry dominated by action and 3D graphics. Its success over time shows that many players crave something different and that immersion doesn't only come from special effects and sounds that approach the pain threshold. Revelation acknowledges that tradition, while bringing some new elements that should ensure the franchise holds its ground into the future. This one takes time, and you will occasionally feel the need to throw the monitor out of the window, but it's a terrific title that everyone should try.