APP STORE AWARDS 2021
Mac Game of the Year
Myst
Myst is our Mac App Store game of the year because... it completely reimagines one of the most mysterious lands in gaming history.
‣ Number of objects you can interact with: 2,500
‣ World record for fastest playthrough in the original game: 3 minutes, 18 seconds
‣ Install size of original version: 3 MB
When it debuted in 1993 (five years before Apple released the first iMac!), the otherworldly adventure was hailed as nothing less than a revolution. Nearly three decades later, Myst for Mac has been optimised for the Apple M1 chip, putting a thrilling new spin on the bona fide classic.
Myst transports you to a strange island filled with architectural wonders and curious contraptions. Where are you exactly? And for that matter, who are you? Guided by the author of a magical book, you’ll figure out how to crack safes, guide a rocket by sound and rotate lighthouses and fortresses to learn his fate – and discover yours.
But you’ve never seen Myst like this before. Forget the original’s static screens. You’re now free to explore each lush environment however you wish, thanks to a new real-time 3D engine. Wondering what the spiral staircase in the Selenitic Age looks like from the back? You can finally find out! Dramatically improved modelling, texture and dynamic lighting effects bring out awesome details such as sunlight gleaming off wrought iron. And it all renders flawlessly at 4K resolution on a Mac with M1.
Read more about the winners
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APP STORE AWARDS 2021
iPhone App of the Year
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APP STORE AWARDS 2021
iPhone Game of the Year
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APP STORE AWARDS 2021
iPad App of the Year
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APP STORE AWARDS 2021
iPad Game of the Year
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APP STORE AWARDS 2021
Apple Arcade Game of the Year
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APP STORE AWARDS 2021
Mac App of the Year
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APP STORE AWARDS 2021
Apple TV App of the Year
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APP STORE AWARDS 2021
Apple TV Game of the Year
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TREND OF 2021: CONNECTION
Growing our inner entrepreneur with Canva
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TREND OF 2021: CONNECTION
Building community with Peanut
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TREND OF 2021: CONNECTION
Empowering women with Bumble
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TREND OF 2021: CONNECTION
Playing together with Among Us
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APP STORE AWARDS 2021
Apple Watch App of the Year
Myst’s conundrums are more user-friendly too. Put away the pencils and crumpled paper – a new photo feature lets you quickly keep track of clues. Stumped on the ship puzzle? Snap a pic of a few pages from the unburned book in the tower to save time running back and forth.
No one’s chasing you. You can get lost in the world, and it’s going to be OK.
– Hannah Gamiel, development director at Cyan
For those who beat Myst back in the day, the new puzzle-randomisation mode creates new challenges in familiar worlds. Switch up the order and locations of constellations and other clues essential to solving puzzles. (Just be aware that you won’t be able to rely on online walk-throughs when you get stuck!)
Regardless of whether you spent hours lost in the original or are experiencing Myst for the first time, the newly reimagined adventure is a spectacular achievement in atmospheric storytelling. The densely drawn world has only grown richer and more engaging – and on M1, it’s a technological showpiece once again.
2021 App Store Award Winners
League of Legends: Wild Rift
Competitive 5v5 MOBA Action
Toca Life World: Build a Story
Design & play your characters
LumaFusion
Pro video editing and effects
Myst
Games
Craft: Write docs, AI editing
Journal ideas, meeting notes
Space Marshals 3
Sci-Fi Western Adventure
DAZN: Stream Live Sports
Boxing, NFL, Football & More
CARROT Weather: Alerts & Radar
Local Forecasts & Live Maps
Apple Arcade
FANTASIAN
A Diorama Adventure RPG
Among Us!
Games
Canva: Design, Photo & Video
Graphic Design + Logo Maker
Bumble: Dating, Chat & Meet up
Match, Date & Make Friends app
Peanut App: Find Mum Friends
Fertility Pregnancy Motherhood