Obduction
Genres: Puzzle, Mystery, Point & Click, Story Rich, Atmospheric, Adventure
Play modes: singleplayer, VR
Release Date: 24-8-2016
Developer: Cyan, Inc.
Our verdict
7.5/10
- Difficulty: Hard
- Players: 1
- Playtime: 10–15 h
Obduction is Cyan's spiritual successor to Myst and Riven. Abducted by a strange seed, you land in a small Arizona town transplanted to an alien world, and explore linked worlds full of machines, locked doors and environmental puzzles you have to decode by observation. It is playable on flat screens and in VR, and suits patient solo players who like being left alone with a world to figure out.
Steam reviews are mostly positive (about 78% of 2,402). Fans say it recaptures the feeling of first exploring Myst Island, praise the visuals, and enjoyed working out how the worlds connect without hints. Even newcomers to Cyan games found it a fine string of puzzles tied to an interesting story. One reviewer finished in 11 hours without guides; others took much longer.
The criticism centres on a few frustrating flaws, especially a late section of back-and-forth travel between worlds that one reviewer calls a gauntlet. Some players also got stuck early with no idea what to do. If you love Myst-style exploration, buy it, ideally on sale; if you want constant guidance, skip it.
Pros
- Myst-style worlds you decode purely through observation
- Linked alien worlds that slowly reveal how they connect
- Playable on flat screens or in VR
Cons
- A late-game section of repeated world travel frustrates many
- Easy to get stuck early with little direction
About
Now also playable on Oculus Rift!
Note: This is a visually lush and detailed game. Playing in VR takes full advantage of higher-end systems - please refer to its minimum and recommended specs.
From Cyan, the indie studio that brought you Myst, comes a new sci-fi adventure.
As you walk beside the lake on a cloudy night, a curious, organic artifact falls from the starry sky and inexplicably, without asking permission, transports you across the universe. You’ve been abducted from your cozy existence and added into an alien landscape with pieces of Earth from unexpected times and places.
The strange worlds of Obduction reveal their secrets only as you explore, discover, coax, and consider their clues. As you bask in the otherworldly beauty and explore the enigmatic landscapes, remember that the choices you make will have substantial consequences. This is your story now.
Make it home.
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“Immense and immersive… It was breathtaking… something that feels magical.” - UploadVR
“Cyan has succeeded in making another adventure that feels truly timeless.” - Polygon
“Obduction’s beautiful world is a worthy successor to Myst.” - Wired
