Riven

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 934 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Riven Game Cover
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"Riven" is a single-player adventure game known for its intriguing story, stellar mechanics, and stunning graphics/soundtrack. The game offers a highly emotional and atmospheric journey through a beautiful yet deceptive world filled with secrets and hidden truths. As the player, you must delve deep into this immersive environment to discover the truth and save a world torn asunder by timeless conflicts.

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Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 934 reviews
story113 positive mentions
stability28 negative mentions
  • Riven is a beautifully crafted game with stunning visuals and an immersive atmosphere that still holds up well today.
  • The puzzles are challenging and rewarding, requiring players to think critically and take notes to solve them.
  • The game offers a rich story and world-building, expanding on the lore established in Myst.
  • The game can be frustratingly difficult, with some puzzles being obscure and requiring extensive backtracking.
  • There are frequent crashes and bugs, particularly on modern systems, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to lost progress.
  • The graphics, while beautiful for their time, are dated and may not appeal to players accustomed to modern high-resolution visuals.
  • story221 mentions

    The story of "Riven" is widely praised for its depth, intricate world-building, and engaging narrative that builds upon the lore established in its predecessor, "Myst." Players appreciate the non-linear storytelling approach, where much of the plot is revealed through exploration and environmental clues, creating a rich and immersive experience. While some find certain plot elements convoluted or the puzzles frustratingly difficult, the overall consensus is that the game's narrative is compelling and expertly crafted, making it a standout in the adventure game genre.

    • “The game's narrative is expertly crafted, and players will find themselves fully invested in the story from start to finish.”
    • “Its immersive world-building, complex puzzles, and captivating storytelling make it a true masterpiece that will be remembered for generations to come.”
    • “Riven is a masterpiece of combining the environment, story, and gameplay into one world, making you feel like you are there despite the point-and-click nature of the game.”
    • “The plot is a bit convoluted, but hey, if I can follow the Count of Monte Cristo, I can follow anything!”
    • “Unlike Myst, the storyline for Riven is gated behind vague bits in obscure places and is difficult to decipher, so one is less invested in the characters and plot, and Riven becomes tedious, almost boring, to play.”
    • “After that, when I played the game, I found the background story/lore included in-game (via Atrus' journal) to be sorely lacking, abridged to the point of being a near-total misrepresentation.”
  • graphics172 mentions

    The graphics of Riven, while dated by modern standards, are often praised for their stunning pre-rendered visuals and artistic design, which still hold up remarkably well over two decades later. Many reviewers highlight the game's immersive atmosphere and intricate world-building, noting that the visuals, despite being grainy and low-resolution, contribute significantly to the overall experience. Overall, Riven is regarded as a graphical achievement for its time, with a timeless aesthetic that continues to captivate players.

    • “Riven's visuals are nothing short of breathtaking.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, such attention to detail.”
    • “Riven has to be one of the most beautiful games ever made; hands down, the visuals and ambiance are just wonderful, even now years after its release.”
    • “However, this game has controls, graphics, and video quality from 1998.”
    • “But this is a really old game with old graphics and I just don't think the moves they made worked with the presentation.”
    • “There are no graphical enhancements with this version, and stretched to fit a modern monitor it manages to look worse than it would have 20 years ago.”
  • gameplay58 mentions

    The gameplay of Riven is characterized by its point-and-click mechanics, which some players find dated and esoteric, making it challenging for modern gamers to navigate without assistance. While the puzzles are more complex than those in its predecessor, Myst, and the immersive world-building is praised, technical issues such as freezing and bugs can detract from the experience. Overall, Riven offers a rich narrative and intricate puzzles that reward exploration and attention to detail, though it may require patience and familiarity with its mechanics.

    • “Riven offers a substantial gameplay experience that can span from 15 to 30 hours, depending on your puzzle-solving skills and exploration.”
    • “Riven is a masterpiece of combining the environment, story, and gameplay into one world, making you feel like you are there despite the point-and-click nature of the game.”
    • “Cyan really outdid themselves with Riven, building a dark layered world filled with interlocking aspects of gameplay, story, art direction, and lore, not to mention the dark gothic-tinged ambient music composed by Robyn Miller.”
    • “Having said that about the experience, which I love, for intellectual honesty I must also talk about the defects of the gameplay, which is obviously particular and dated.”
    • “As gameplay-wise, Riven felt like a huge step backwards compared to Myst, and the fact the enhanced graphics often only serve to detriment the game with either the FMV sequences becoming a chore or the graphics simply not being up to allowing you to spot things without trial and error, I have to give this a negative review.”
    • “First of all, there is little in the way of 'gameplay': it is a point-and-click adventure game, with no reward given to reflexes or hand-eye coordination.”
  • atmosphere56 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional world-building, detailed environments, and atmospheric soundscapes that create a sense of wonder and intrigue. The combination of a captivating soundtrack and intricate puzzle design further enhances the overall experience, making it one of the most atmospheric games ever created. Despite some technical issues, the game's ability to evoke deep emotions and a unique sense of place remains unmatched.

    • “The atmosphere, world building, and puzzle design are immensely satisfying and capture your sense of wonder in ways few other games can.”
    • “From the ambient sounds of the islands to the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, Riven's audio elements play a pivotal role in creating an immersive atmosphere that keeps players engrossed throughout their journey.”
    • “The atmosphere is sublime and uniquely alive; even the other Myst games don't have such a feeling to them.”
    • “The somber, solitary pensiveness of the first of the Myst series is eerie and surreal, and the second game in the Myst series - Riven - not only continues, but fully adopts this atmosphere.”
    • “I don't know if it's the music, the atmosphere, or the visuals, but nothing seems to quite hit the same spot as Riven.”
    • “So much of Riven's atmosphere is conveyed and complemented through the soundtrack.”
  • music51 mentions

    The music in the game is universally praised for its haunting beauty and atmospheric quality, significantly enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight how the soundtrack complements the visuals and story, creating an immersive environment that captivates players. Many even express a desire to purchase the soundtrack separately, underscoring its impact and lasting appeal.

    • “The music of this game alone makes it worth playing.”
    • “From the ambient sounds of the islands to the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, Riven's audio elements play a pivotal role in creating an immersive atmosphere that keeps players engrossed throughout their journey.”
    • “The atmosphere, story, and music are all top notch.”
    • “No music or magic and the video cuts are annoying.”
    • “I don't know if it's the music, the atmosphere or the visuals but nothing seems to quite hit the same spot as Riven.”
    • “Having real people talk to you in this surreal but photorealistic place really helps with the immersion, as well as the simple soft soundtrack and the ambient sounds.”
  • stability30 mentions

    The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and save file corruption, particularly on modern systems. While some players managed to have a smoother experience with specific workarounds, the overall consensus is that the game is plagued by significant bugs that severely impact gameplay. Many recommend avoiding the game due to its instability, especially in its Steam version.

    • “With the new port, I had a perfect playthrough experience with no glitches or crashes at all.”
    • “On the second day of owning this game, it no longer starts up through Steam, but going to the Steam folder and running ScummVM, which is included, it runs great again.”
    • “An amazing game in itself with beautiful artwork and complex puzzles; unfortunately, this version is completely unplayable. It crashes every few minutes, doesn't allow for saves, is buggy and temperamental at best, the menu bar doesn't work, and my computer needs a full restart often to even exit the game screen.”
    • “The game freezes constantly and is already not fun.”
    • “It is buggy and prone to crashing and freezing.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of "Riven" to be tedious, often characterized by repetitive backtracking and trial-and-error puzzle solving that detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the challenge, many feel that the reliance on persistence over logic leads to a frustrating experience, particularly due to the lengthy transport sequences and obscure story elements that can make progress feel slow and unengaging.

    • “Unlike Myst, the puzzles in this game seem to rely less on logic and discovery than on persistence, trial and error, spam clicking, or simply wasting your time. You often have to find the right thing to interact with to advance a puzzle, but that thing may be many screens away and even in a completely different zone. As you advance by trying to interact with everything conceivable, this can get extremely tedious, as there are so many screens you may or may not have to 'search', and the next advancement may be a very long way away.”
    • “Adding to the sense of time wasting, the transport rides look great to start with but soon become tedious to use, as they just take up time to re-explore an area that may or may not have something you need to do or have missed. This is also the case for some of the FMV sequences where you may be learning how something works and have to endure multiple (sometimes long-winded) FMV sequences.”
    • “It seemed like solving part of a riddle just meant being faced with another riddle, which required more tedious endless travel back and forth.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is highlighted by its randomized elements and depth, which encourage players to engage with it multiple times for varied experiences. However, some users note a lack of replay value due to the potential for forgetting solutions, suggesting mixed opinions on this aspect.

    • “A particular high point was the genius move to include 3 randomized code combinations, which prevented people from rushing through the entire game by memory, making them actually play it instead, and at the same time sent the replay value through the roof.”
    • “The absence of hand-holding and the game's depth ensure replayability, as each playthrough can provide a different experience and perspective.”
    • “Great replay value, because, honestly, I forget how to solve the problems every time.”
    • “The absence of hand-holding and the game's depth ensure replayability, as each playthrough can provide a different experience and perspective.”
    • “There is little replay value.”
    • “A particular high point was the genius move (at the time) to include 3 randomized code combinations, which prevented people from rushing through the entire game by memory, making them actually play it instead, and at the same time sent the replay value through the roof.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, recalling nostalgic experiences from childhood that enhanced their engagement. The game's imaginative design demands significant emotional and psychological investment, often leading to both frustration and satisfaction. Despite its challenges, the emotional resonance remains strong, evoking feelings reminiscent of earlier gaming experiences.

    • “Riven is imaginative, and requires real emotional and psychological engagement on the part of the player, in addition to an understanding of the intellectual strategy of the game.”
    • “It's definitely harder than Myst, and it will give you much emotional pain, but still I liked playing it.”
    • “Playing Riven as an adult made me feel the same way child me felt playing Myst.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is praised for its smooth performance and stability, particularly when using ScummVM, which enhances the experience without crashes. The character performances and dialogue are also highlighted as well-crafted, contributing to an immersive gameplay experience.

    • “But then this version arrived one day, and through the magic of ScummVM, this version actually runs smoothly and without crashes.”
    • “Character performances are memorable, and the dialogue and backstory are acute and carefully crafted.”
    • “Riven is captured beautifully, and the live-action character performances are well done and integrate seamlessly into the world.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is subtle and not the primary focus, as it leans more towards an intriguing narrative and immersive world rather than overt comedic elements. Players appreciate the cleverness of the dialogue, particularly in the context of the Myst series, but should not expect a traditional adventure game filled with zany humor and quirky items.

    • “If you help Atrus, he tells you he may help you get back to where you came from. It's funny when you read the Myst books, so you journey on to Riven with no linking books, many puzzles ahead, and a very detailed and interesting world awaits.”
    • “This is not one of those funny adventure games, full of crazy dialogue and weird inventory items (those are nice too...).”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers praise the character development for its convincing design, which is enhanced by superb sound and music, contributing to an immersive overall experience.

  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is not explicitly discussed in the provided text, but it suggests that the game has generated interest and anticipation, potentially indicating a marketing strategy aimed at attracting players.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

7hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
7-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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