As a gamer who’s been around since the days of dial-up and floppy disks, I’ve seen my fair share of puzzle games come and go. But Riven, dear reader, has left me utterly spellbound. It’s like stepping into a time machine, transported back to the era of Myst, but with all the bells and whistles of modern gaming.
Following the debut of “Riven” in 1997, developer Cyan Worlds has now modernized their timeless creation by completely redesigning it in 3D. The updated visuals of “Riven” have blended seamlessly, but what truly stands out is the revamped and enhanced puzzles that continue to enthrall as they did over two decades ago. In fact, Cyan Worlds has refined their skills even further; “Riven” offers a fresh, unique experience, which is precisely what a successful remake should deliver.
In the game titled Riven, your character gets mysteriously whisked away to the world of Riven using a magical book called a linking book. While it picks up where its prequel, Myst, left off, it effectively sets up the story for newcomers as well. The opening scene introduces a character named Astra who enlists your help in rescuing his wife Catherine from Riven while dealing with the villainous Gehn. The tale is engaging and not just a backdrop; it offers several different endings, which adds an element of replayability. However, the captivating narrative isn’t what makes Riven truly special. The genuine delight comes from exploring the exquisitely detailed landscapes and solving the intricate puzzles scattered across this decaying, enigmatic planet.
Riven’s Puzzles Are as Difficult as They Are Satisfying
In truth, the intricate riddles found within the game Riven are far more challenging than the term “complex” suggests. Similar to Myst, Riven doesn’t cater to players who expect a guided experience. Instead, it demands active engagement from the get-go, with one of the initial puzzles requiring players to adjust room entries based on character positioning – not your typical beginner’s maze. However, when the solution finally aligns, the sense of achievement is profound and persistent throughout the game, particularly as Riven progressively increases its complexity through interwoven mysteries and equations that need to be solved to advance the storyline toward its climax.
Riven
is essentially the
Dark Souls
of puzzle games, and that is a compliment.
Similar to the “Souls” series, the world depicted in “Riven” suggests a past that was both enlightened and corrupted, with remnants of its former grandeur and decay visible throughout this shattered utopia. Visual and narrative cues abound, but it’s the hints at its once-great civilization that truly make the game captivating. Unlike its predecessor, “Riven” now has the technological prowess to effectively convey this rich history. If the puzzles don’t engage players, perhaps the visual spectacle of this bustling world will draw them in instead.
Riven Is More Mechanically Impressive Than its Precursor
In essence, the remade version of Riven performs admirably as a first-person puzzle game, offering a more immersive experience compared to its original static maps. The remake showcases fully explorable 3D environments that one can easily get lost in, which is typical for modern remakes but feels remarkably natural and true to the game’s potential. However, it’s not without its flaws. The screenshot journal feature is a thoughtful addition, but navigating it can be somewhat tedious. Similarly, the inventory system has some visual bugs, yet they aren’t significant enough to cause frustration. These are minor issues in the grand scheme of things.
Riven
should take anywhere between 10 and 12 hours to finish, depending on puzzle skills.
Instead of the remastered version of “Myst,” which is equally impressive, “Riven” stands out exceptionally among modern puzzle games. It offers a thoughtfully crafted challenge that feels neither frustratingly cryptic nor insurmountable. For enthusiasts of puzzle games, playing “Riven” is an immensely satisfying journey.
“The game titled ‘Riven’ has just been released for both PC and Mac systems. For this review, we were given a PC copy of the game by Game Rant.”
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2024-08-12 10:34