Riven
Riven Remake
Release Date: June 25, 2024
Adventure, FPP, fantasy, puzzle elements, remaster/remake, VR, singleplayer
Steam
A full-scale remake of the cult FPP point & click adventure game. The most important change introduced in Riven is the fully three-dimensional graphics, and thus the ability to move freely around the locations.
Riven is a full-scale remake of a point & click adventure game released in 1997 under the title Riven: The Sequel to Myst. As the title of the original suggests, it was a direct continuation of the cult Myst. It was developed by the authors of the original, an indie Cyan studio.
Plot
Riven takes us on a journey to the alien world of the Fifth Age. We play the protagonist, who is asked by an explorer named Atrus, known from the game Myst, to find his kidnapped wife. Catherine, for that is the name of his chosen one, has been imprisoned by her father - Gehn. As the books connecting Riven to other worlds have either been destroyed or carried away from here, it is almost impossible to return from this world. So the plan of the protagonist and his principal is that after finding and freeing Catherine, our protagonist will trick Gehn into imprisoning her, and then use the Star Rift to give Atrus the signal to come after him with the appropriate book.
Game mechanics
In Riven, we observe the action from a first-person perspective (FPP). As was the case in the remake of Myst, released in 2020, the developers abandoned the "jumping" movement through locations screen by screen, in favor of smooth movement. Moving through the vast, fantastic land, we are mainly engaged in solving complex logic puzzles (involving, among other things, the manipulation of complex mechanisms) and discovering further elements of the plot.
Technical aspects
Unlike the original, released in 1997, which offered graphics combining pre-rendered locations and FMV sequences, Riven features fully 3D high-quality graphics. The audio layer has also been thoroughly refreshed, as well as the controls.
Videos and Screens
[0:50] Riven Riven - Accolades Trailer
[1:28] Riven Riven - Release Date Trailer
The main pros of the game
- Stunning Graphics: Many users praised the game for its beautiful visuals and art style, which enhance the immersive experience.
- Engaging Puzzles: The puzzles are well-designed, integrated into the world, and provide a solid challenge, with some users noting they are less cryptic than in the original.
- Atmospheric World-Building: The game effectively captures the lore and culture of Riven, making exploration rewarding.
- Freedom of Exploration: The ability to move freely around the islands is a significant improvement over the original.
- VR Compatibility: The game offers a VR mode that some players found enjoyable, with comfort options included.
- Increased Accessibility: The remake is seen as more accessible to new players, with improved clarity in puzzle solutions and integration of hints.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Issues: Some players reported glitches, crashes, and performance issues, indicating a need for optimization.
- Backtracking and Slow Animations: The game requires a lot of backtracking, and players found the unskippable animations tedious, especially when transitioning between areas.
- Character Design: The replacement of live-action characters with 3D models was met with mixed reactions, with some feeling it lacked the charm of the original.
- Short Length: Some reviews mentioned that the game felt short, with only a couple of main puzzles and many smaller ones, leading to a mixed experience regarding value for time spent.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Original Character Presentation: Many players missed the live-action video sequences from the original game, feeling that the new character models did not capture the same impact.
- More Content: Users expressed a desire for more puzzles or content, as the game felt limited in scope compared to the original.
- Height Adjustment in VR: Some players noted the absence of height adjustment options in VR, which was available in the original Myst.
- Feedback on Progress: A lack of feedback on puzzle progression left some players uncertain if they were on the right track, which could lead to frustration.
Summary
- Overall, while the remake of Riven has been well-received for its graphics and puzzle design, it has also faced criticism for technical issues, character design changes, and a perceived lack of content compared to the original.
Summary generated on:
Riven Summary
Game Series: Myst
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Riven System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1070 / Radeon RX 5700 XT, 30 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Recommended: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 3.9 GHz, 32 GB RAM, graphic card 11 GB GeForce GTX 1080 Ti / 16 GB Radeon RX 6800 XT, 30 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit