We got our hands on a preview build of the upcoming DS release of the classic game.
Myst for the DS is a port of the groundbreaking PC game with touchscreen controls replacing the mouse control from the original. The game is famous for having a story that develops as you play, giving you little context or clues as you progress. The demo we got to play showcases how accurate the developer has been to the original game, and how this fidelity retains the game's shortcomings as well.
Firstly, it must be said that the handheld game properly reproduces the setting of the original Myst. Those nostalgic for the old game will find this version 100% faithful. Unfortunately, on the DS's small screen these environments can be hard to see, as the details of this world were intended to be seen on a much larger screen. Even worse, the map is almost impossible to read because of its small size.
In the original Myst, you were able to float your mouse cursor over the environment to find out whether you could move in the direction you pointed. In Myst DS, there is no cursor so you must merely tap with your stylus; this makes movement very confusing, as you'll go flying around the environment without knowing exactly where you moved.
The puzzles are just as obtuse as the original Myst, which is a plus for those who want a second (or third or fourth) go through of this classic game. If the demo is an indicator of the final product, those unfamiliar with the game may want to find a better version on the PC. We'll have a full review when the game is released in May.