URU: The Boldest Journey (A Retrospective)

Uru: Ages Beyond Myst (and the online version, Uru Live) was a bold new experiment by indie developer Cyan (then Cyan Worlds). It was the first indie MMO, the first Puzzle Co-op MMO, and the first attempt to try to bring point and click into a new form. It was ambitious, grand, massive, and technologically impressive for the time, crafting a new story that brought the Ages of Myst into our reality. But despite all its love, effort, and craft, in the end Uru did not make it as an MMO, while the standalone version and its expansion packs remained as a time capsule. What stopped its success, and why is Uru: Ages Beyond Myst (and its expansions) so loved even despite its failure to thrive in its intended online form? This is the first of two retrospectives on Uru as a whole, and another entry into the Myst Saga retrospective series. This time, we're descending down into the Great Cavern and the lost Ages of ancient D'ni, where Bahro wait for freedom and the Grower is watering the seed of a New Tree to discover the flaws, triumphs, wonder, tragedy, and magic of Uru. Part of my Myst Saga retrospective series and paired with my Myst Saga replays over on my main channel, @ThePhantomSafetyPin. ----- Footage from Games belongs to Cyan Worlds and Ubisoft. Content is used under Fair Use guidelines. No Generative AI is used at any time on Into The Myst.