The Myst franchise always surprised us with high quality cinematic visuals, interactive puzzles and interesting stories. It has been one of the most loved point-n-click adventures since we first saw Myst in 1993. No directions, no help, just discover the world by clicking and trial-n-error.



As the fourth installment, Myst IV: Revelations continues the story and amazing 360 degree visuals.

Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing Myst IV: Revelation in Linux with PlayOnLinux.

Note: This guide applies to the Retail version of Myst IV: Revelation. Other versions may require additional steps.

Tips & Specs:

To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual: PlayOnLinux Explained

Mint 14 32-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.2.1
Wine: 1.7.7

Copy DVD Data

Before we get started it is a good idea to copy all of the game data from each DVD to a folder on the desktop. Wine always seems to have a problem with multiple Disks, so instead of messing with it, copying the data fixes the problem.

Create a folder on your desktop
Name the folder: myst4

Enter Disk 1
Open
Copy all data from Disk 1 to your "myst4" folder on your desktop


Enter Disk 2
Open
Copy all data from Disk 2 to your "myst4" folder on your desktop


If you get a warning about existing folders, click the checkbox "apply this action to all files" and click "Merge"


Installing Wine

Click Tools
Select "Manage Wine Versions"

Look for the Wine Version: 1.7.7
Note: Try using stable Wine 1.8 and 1.8-staging

Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right


Click Next


PlayOnLinux will automatically download it and save it in this directory:
/home/username/.PlayOnLinux/wine/linux-x86


Note: username is where you put your login name

Its a good idea to backup this directory to another computer because you won't have to keep downloading wine versions when you need them.

Extracting

Gecko Downloading


Note: PlayOnLinux may also install the compatible version of Gecko also.

Installed


Wine 1.7.7 is installed and you can close this window

Setup PlayOnLinux

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install


Click "Install a non-listed program"


Click Next

Select "Install a program in a new virtual drive"
Click Next


Select 32-bit virtual drive
Click Next

Name your virtual drive: myst4
Click Next


Check all three options:

• Use another version of Wine
• Configure Wine
• Install some Libraries

Click Next


Select Wine 1.7.7
Click Next


Note: If you are running a 64-bit system, PlayOnLinux will prompt if you want to use a 64-bit or 32-bit virtual drive.
Always select 32-bit virtual drive.

Wine Configuration

Applications Tab
Windows version: Windows 7
Click Apply


Graphics Tab
Check: Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows
Check Emulate a virtual desktop
Desktop size: 1024x768
Click Ok


Installing Windows Packages/Components (Libraries)

Check The following packages:

• POL_Install_corefonts
• POL_Install_dxfullsetup

Click Next


Installing Myst

Do not install from DVD
Select "Select another file"
Click Next


Navigate to the "myst4" folder on your desktop
Select Setup.exe
Click Open


Click Next


Click Next

Click Next

Check "I accept the terms..."
Click Next

Click Next

Select Complete
Click Next

Click Next

Installing

Check "I will install Acrobat Reader for myself later"
Click Next

Check "Never register"
Click Ok

Uncheck: View the Readme.txt File
Uncheck: Launch Myst IV - Revelation
Click Finish


PlayOnLinux Shortcut

Select Myst4.exe
Click Next


Name your shortcut: Myst IV: Revelation
Click Next


Select "I don't want to make another shortcut"
Click Next


Downloading Myst 4 patch

Go To: http://www.ubi.com/US/Downloads/Info.aspx?dlId=708
Download Myst IV Revlation (PC) v1.02 Patch


Navigate to your desktop
Click Save



PlayOnLinux Configure

Back to PlayOnLinux
Click Configure

General Tab
Here you can easily test your game with other downloaded versions of Wine
Click the + to download other versions
Click the down arrow to switch Wine versions


Display Tab
Direct Draw Renderer: opengl
Video memory size: select the amount of memory your video card has
Offscreen rendering mode: fbo


Miscellaneous Tab
Click "Run a .exe file in this virtual drive"
Navigate to your desktop
Select: myst4_v1.0_to_v1.03_pc.exe
Click Open


Click Ok

Click Next

Check "I accept the terms..."
Click Next

Click Next

Click Install

Wine Tab
It is a good idea to click Windows Reboot after installing a game


Launching Myst IV Revelation

Back to PlayOnLinux

Full-screen Note:
Before launching Myst, you may want to reset your Linux desktop resolution to 1024x768
This is the only resolution Myst will support. Otherwise the game will appear as windowed.

Select Myst IV: Revelation
Click Run


Note: Clicking debug instead will show errors for troubleshooting

Myst video options
Click Option


Increase resolution to 1024x768
Click the check


Conclusion:
Myst IV ran almost flawlessly without any extra tweaks or workarounds. There were some slight graphical bugs where projected light is displayed on the screen, but I only found a few instances. The game ran really well on my GeForce 550 Ti and my Solid State drive. Some of the transitions were a bit slow, but that is pretty common in all of the Myst games.

Screenshots: