Myst V: End of Ages is the fifth and final installment in the Myst computer game series, and is a culmination of all the storylines from the previous games. The game was released on September 20, 2005. Like Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, the game was created by Cyan Worlds and published by Ubisoft. CEO of Cyan Worlds Rand Miller, stated that "Myst V: End of Ages follows the Myst storyline to its conclusion -- closing the book on the Ages of Myst".
Myst V takes place some time after Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, but it is part of the central Myst plotline. Hence, it makes some effort to tie both stories together and wrap them up.
The game contains numerous references to all of the previous games, and draws on the themes of those games. However, it primarily focuses on the story of the Bahro, which began in Uru.
The game revolves around two major characters: Yeesha (previously seen in Myst III, Uru and Myst IV) and a new character, Esher, one of the last surviving D'ni. In order to fully restore D'ni, it was said that the Grower (who is believed to be Yeesha) must utilize a powerful artifact called the Tablet. The Tablet contains the ability to fully control a mysterious slave race, the Bahro. Yeesha made the wrong decision upon unlocking the Tablet and failed. She can no longer use the Tablet.
Yeesha gives the player the "Quest" to unlock the tablet upon meeting him or her in K'veer. Over the course of the game, the player must unlock the Tablet by exploring four different ages. Throughout this quest, the player will also encounter Esher, who attempts to influence the player's decision of what to do with the Tablet upon unlocking it.
The player's own choice is the crux of the game. Upon unlocking the Tablet, he or she is burdened with the fate of the D'ni civilization. The player must make a choice with the Tablet that ultimately decides whether the civilization will prosper or collapse. This choice echoes the fateful decision required in the original game Myst.
When asked about the ending in an interview, series co-creator Rand Miller explained: "The future of civilization is down to this point, and the choices you make determine where it goes."
Players employ several methods of traveling between Ages in Myst V - including conventional linking books, and also through new "linking bubbles" provided by the bahro. There is a central "hub" Age (as in most of the other Myst games), known as Direbo, with linking books and bubbles to many of the other ages.
The main Age showcased before the game's release was Noloben, which is also the home of one of the game's main characters, Esher. The Age of D'ni also features prominently in the storyline.
Myst V features seven Ages in total:
D'ni - The Age of D'ni was the Age Written by Ri'neref, Master of the Art, to house the group of Ronay refugees from Garternay. Though they didn't know it until shortly before the downfall, the Age of D'ni is also the planet Earth.
Noloben - A sandy Age with a calm beach and grassy plateaus, home of Esher.
Todelmer - An Age of floating rocks and large telescopes.
Laki'ahn - A serene Age with grass and trees.
Tahgira - An Age full of icy islands.
Direbo - A quiet and peaceful Age in everlasting evening.
Myst - Myst Island, from the original Myst game.
The Age of Releeshahn is seen briefly in the victorious ending, but it cannot be explored.
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