Riven
Genres: Puzzle, Mystery, Story Rich, Atmospheric, Adventure
Release Date: 25-6-2024
Developer: Cyan Worlds, Inc.
Our verdict
8.5/10
- Difficulty: Hard
- Players: 1
- Playtime: 12–15 h
Riven is Cyan's full 3D remake of its 1997 sequel to Myst. You explore a collapsing island world ruled by Gehn, a man who thinks he is a god, and solve puzzles built into its jungles, caverns, domes and machines to pull off a rescue and escape. You can now move freely instead of clicking from frame to frame, and the game supports VR. It suits solo players who want a slow, observation-heavy adventure where the world itself is the puzzle.
Players who know the original say it stays faithful while adding new tools, reworked puzzles and story details. Newcomers say it works fine on its own. Reviewers praise the art and the way puzzles feel like part of the island's culture rather than random locks. Their main advice is to explore everything and take notes, because the clues rely on symbols. The ending puzzles get special praise.
The complaints are the classic ones: tiny clickable details that are easy to miss, slow cart rides, and character models some find uncanny. A few players also report crashes on Steam Deck. Expect twelve to fifteen hours. Myst fans should buy it. Players who want hints and hand-holding will likely bounce off it.
Pros
- Free-roaming 3D remake of the 1997 classic, with optional VR
- Symbol-based puzzles feel like part of the island's culture
- New tools and tweaked puzzles surprise even veterans of the original
Cons
- Small, easy-to-miss interactables lead to aimless wandering
- Uncanny character models; some players report Steam Deck crashes
About
“I know what he’s doing… He’s watching you.”
Travel to Riven, a beautiful and mysterious world on the verge of collapse. Explore this mysterious place, solve its puzzles, reveal its mysteries, make a daring rescue, and escape.
VISIT A MYSTERIOUS WORLD
“I am Gehn. I assume you’ve heard of me.”
Riven takes you on a journey through dense jungles, awe-inspiring caverns, and monolithic structures. Explore a world bent to the whims of a man who sees himself as a god and where every corner will immerse you in an otherworldly adventure.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A SURREAL LANDSCAPE
“There’s a great deal of history that you should know…”
Riven rewards careful observation. Challenge Riven’s cunning puzzles, deftly woven throughout its narrative. The environment of Riven will reveal the story of this world as you make meaning from seemingly disparate bits of information and learn everything you need to know about this world.
UNRAVEL RIVEN’S SECRETS
“...it may be time to give this inexplicable mystery a second look.”
Who are the mysterious island dwellers you encounter during your exploration? What purpose does the giant golden dome serve? Why is this world on the verge of collapse? Play Riven and discover the answers to these mysteries- and more.
ABOUT THIS REMAKE
Created by the legendary indie developer Cyan Worlds and based on the smash-hit original released in 1997, Riven has been lovingly revisited by its key original visionaries to expand the epic narrative of the Myst universe.
Experience Riven like never before - with free movement through a real-time 3D environment. This brand-new, re-imagined, and expanded version of Riven offers a deeper story, new captivating visuals, and a journey that stays true to the original release while also expanding on Riven’s breathtaking world.
