URU: Complete Chronicles
- August 3, 2010
- Cyan Worlds Inc
- 44h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Uru: Complete Chronicles," explore the wondrous 3D worlds of the lost D'ni civilization and solve puzzles to uncover its mysteries. The addition of "To D'ni" and "The Path of the Shell" expansions delves deeper into D'ni's history and culture, and continues the story of Yeesha, the eccentric daughter of Atrus. This immersive adventure is a must-play for any Myst fan or newcomer to the series.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features stunning graphics and a rich, immersive world that captures the essence of the Myst series.
- The puzzles are challenging and rewarding, offering a sense of accomplishment when solved, especially for fans of the genre.
- The soundtrack and environmental design contribute to a captivating atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
- The controls are clunky and frustrating, making navigation and puzzle-solving a tedious experience.
- Many puzzles are poorly designed or require excessive backtracking, leading to a sense of emptiness and frustration.
- The plot is convoluted and often delivered through lengthy, unclear dialogues, detracting from the overall narrative experience.
- story46 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in Uru is described as intriguing yet convoluted, primarily delivered through lengthy journals and messages from Yeesha, which some players found confusing. While the game features a rich backdrop involving the D'ni civilization and exploration themes, many reviewers noted that the narrative lacks clarity and direction, making it less engaging for those who prioritize plot over visuals and puzzles. Overall, Uru offers a visually stunning experience with a complex story that may appeal to dedicated fans of the Myst franchise, but it can be frustrating for players seeking a more straightforward narrative.
“The plot of Uru takes an interesting twist from other games: a company from the real world has discovered the ages and is restoring them and exploring them for visitors.”
“The worlds are visually stunning with many fascinating areas to explore, and a compelling storyline that makes you want to continue searching for clues and new discoveries.”
“What this game lacks in death and action, it more than makes up for in story and endlessly beautiful and original worlds.”
“The plot is exposed through - often excessively long - journals and recorded messages by Yeesha.”
“Uru (and its successor Myst V) suffer from what I call 'mysticitis' - the plot is delivered primarily in the form of Yeesha's confusing mystic mumbo-jumbo poetry.”
“What with the problems I've encountered, the minimal amount of story that I've seen, and the succession of obtuse/inane puzzles that often had me looking at a walkthrough, I can't say that I enjoyed what experience I had of Uru.”
- graphics23 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their impressive visuals, particularly for a title from 2004, showcasing a transition to real-time 3D environments that enhance the immersive experience. While many players appreciate the aesthetic quality and artistic design, some note that the graphics have aged poorly compared to modern standards, leading to mixed feelings about their relevance today. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, though opinions vary on their impact relative to gameplay and story.
“Awesome graphics with a storyline that's interesting and easy to follow.”
“As with every Myst game, Uru has many spectacular visuals.”
“The graphics are amazing for a game from around 2004.”
“Graphics and gameplay have aged terribly.”
“The fact they used in-game graphics with lousy low polygons and no characters anymore; the story is pretty complex.”
“Despite Cyan still updating the Uru: Live (free online!) version of it, I'd really like to see a new game similar to this with improved physics, graphics, and such.”
- music11 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtrack as one of its best features. It is described as non-intrusive, gentle, and haunting, perfectly complementing the game's environments and puzzles. While some tracks may not resonate as strongly, the overall composition is considered unique and artistically crafted, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
“The soundtrack is one of the best features, non-intrusive and suitable for each age.”
“The instrumentation is alien and mysterious, and while a few tracks fall through the cracks, this game offers some of the greatest pieces of music I've heard in a video game.”
“The music is gentle and haunting.”
“The soundtrack is alright, Jack Wall and Robyn Miller have brought a lot more to the table in the previous entries, but Tim Larkin brings a very unique voice to the series, and honestly?”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this Myst game features a blend of traditional logic and exploration puzzles alongside new action-based challenges due to the introduction of free movement. While the puzzles and artwork are praised for their creativity and depth, some players find the mechanics clunky and the gameplay experience marred by technical issues and tedious tasks. Overall, the game offers a rich, non-linear experience with a unique puzzle-solving approach that immerses players in its abstract worlds and lore.
“Gameplay, as expected from a Myst game, features many logic and exploration puzzles, but with the introduction of free movement, there are also more action-based puzzles.”
“Outstanding puzzles, artwork, and gameplay!”
“The worlds are generally rich and challenging, with strong non-linear gameplay.”
“Not 44 hours of gameplay... probably 15 hours of gameplay and 29 hours of trying to get it to load!”
“Graphics and gameplay have aged terribly.”
“Too many clunky mechanics, tedious/boring solutions, vague hint connections, and tiresome amounts of waiting/running/searching.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- -11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, drawing comparisons to the Myst series with its immersive, real-time 3D environments that evoke a sense of mystery and introspection. Players appreciate the unique and captivating settings, which enhance the puzzle-solving and exploration experience, making it a favorite for those who enjoy atmospheric adventure games. However, it may not appeal to those seeking more action-oriented gameplay.
“Amazing puzzle game, the atmosphere of D'ni is unmatched.”
“It's one of the few games that I continuously re-install every time I get a new computer, just because I enjoy the atmospheres of the different areas.”
“This is one of my all-time favorite games just for being so atmospheric.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I was hoping for.”
“Despite the beautiful graphics, the overall atmosphere fails to engage me; it feels lifeless and disconnected.”
“I expected a rich and immersive world, but the atmosphere is dull and doesn't draw me in at all.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of Uru frustrating due to tedious and time-consuming puzzle mechanics that involve excessive walking, waiting, and backtracking. Many puzzles lack clear guidance, leading to repetitive trial-and-error experiences that can be exacerbated by prevalent bugs and clunky mechanics. While the game's visuals are praised, the overall puzzle design is criticized for being overly tedious and frustrating.
“Each try involved several minutes of tedious walking and standing while waiting for it to line up.”
“The puzzles are generally not overly difficult, but many require tedious and repetitive intervals of extensive reading, walking, backtracking, and swimming to test each solution theory, often with no indication that you are on the right track.”
“This was an interesting attempt at making an MMO based on Myst, but some of the puzzles in the game are just tedious and frustrating.”
- stability8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is notably problematic, with many users reporting frequent glitches and issues related to high frame rates, which can make certain areas nearly unplayable. While some players found that enabling G-Sync helped mitigate these problems, the overall experience remains marred by bugs that could deter those unfamiliar with slower-paced exploration games. Despite these challenges, the game's design is praised, suggesting that it may appeal to players willing to navigate its technical shortcomings.
“Additionally, collision glitches make certain parts of the game a pain or even borderline unplayable without limiting the framerate.”
“One thing to note is that this version is full of glitches that would probably be game breaking to someone who doesn't buy into the slow paced exploration type games.”
“Either way, be prepared to put up with a lot of glitches.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from the frustratingly poor design of puzzles that involve jumping and object manipulation, which players find amusing despite the challenges they present.
“The humor in this game is so unexpected and quirky that it keeps you laughing even during the most challenging moments.”
“I love how the dialogue is filled with witty one-liners that perfectly capture the absurdity of the situation.”
“The game's comedic timing is spot on, making even the simplest tasks feel entertaining and enjoyable.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's fantastic soundtrack and note that it contributes to a high replay value, making it enjoyable to revisit multiple times.
“Fantastic soundtrack and high replay value, too!”
“The game offers so many different paths and choices that I find myself coming back for more.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the dynamic events and character interactions.”
