The innovations it brings to the series are a mixed bag: slates, ultimately detrimental to gameplay; character animation and interaction, good; realtime 3D, not really an innovation, given its use in RealMyst.

As I said way back at the start, some 6000 words ago, my advice to buyers would be to try and get hold of one of the other games first. Though graphically impressive, Myst V: End of Ages isn't as breathtaking as Myst IV: Revelation; and if it's realtime 3D you want, RealMyst is a far better game, as well as being true to the story, plot and idea of the absolute classic which is Myst (I).

Overall impressions of the Ages:

• K'veer - nice to finally explore a little, but nothing to interact with
• Descent (the tunnel to D'ni) - not difficult enough, with access to the other Ages too streamlined
• Direbo - the Most Forgettable Age ever
• Tahgira - the Lamest (and Most Counterintuitive) Age ever
• Todelmer - my favourite Age in the game
• Noloben - the Simplest Age ever
• Laki'ahn - good Age/puzzle integration, but too blatant in it's message
• Myst Island - interesting to revisit in its woeful dilapidation
• Releeshahn - nice epilogue sequence