AfterRiven’s initial release in 1997, developer Cyan Worlds has finally brought its classic into the modern age with a complete 3D remake. The world ofRivenhas adjusted nicely to updated graphics, but more importantly, the completely new and updated puzzles remain as captivating and weird as they were over 25 years ago. If anything, Cyan has only perfected its craft;Rivenis truly a new experience altogether, and that’s exactly what a great remake should be.
Rivenbegins with your character suddenly (and confusingly) being transported to the world of Riven via an item known as a linking book.Rivencontinues off where its predecessor,Myst, left off, but it does a fairly good job of making the story palatable for newcomers. The opening cutscene reveals that a character named Astra tasks the player character with rescuing his wife Catherine from Riven while contending with the dastardly Gehn. The story isn’t just window dressing, either; there are multiple endings to be found, which add alevel of replayability. But while the narrative remains intriguing throughout, it’s not exactly the major selling point forRiven. The real joy of playing this game is in the beautifully detailed landscapes and complex puzzles that are littered throughout this crumbling, mysterious planet.
Riven’s Puzzles Are as Difficult as They Are Satisfying
Actually, “complex” might even undersell the puzzles contained withinRiven. LikeMyst,Rivenisn’t interested in holding the hand of players who are not prepared touse their brains. One of the very first in the game requires players to shift the room to the correct entry points depending on character placement, and it’s not exactly an introductory maze. Still, there’s a large sense of accomplishment when the answer finally clicks in place. It’s a feeling that remains throughout, especially asRivencontinues to ramp up the difficulty through interconnecting mysteries and equations to solve as the story reaches its conclusion.
Rivenis essentially theDark Soulsof puzzle games, and that is a compliment.
Like theSoulsgames, there is a sense that the world ofRivenused to be far more enlightened and advanced (and corrupt) before everything inevitably collapsed. All sorts of visual and narrative hints permeate this broken paradise, but it’s the former that adds to the game’s brilliance. Unlike the original game,Rivennow has the technological capability to pull this off. If the puzzles don’t pull players in, then the visual marvel of everything going on might do the trick.
Riven Is More Mechanically Impressive Than its Precursor
Mechanically,Rivenruns well asa first-person puzzle game. As opposed to the static maps of the original, this remake features full 3D places to wander and get lost in. That might be standard for a modern remake, but this version ofRivenfeels more natural than the original, almost as if this is the fullest realization of what the game was capable of. It’s not perfect, by any means. The screenshot journal mechanic is a nice touch, but accessing it can be a little tiresome. The inventory system is also a little buggy visually, but not enough to be annoying. Overall, these are very minor issues.
Rivenshould take anywhere between 10 and 12 hours to finish, depending on puzzle skills.
More than theMystremake (which is also excellent),Rivenshines in a way that few puzzle games do nowadays. Great care has been taken to provide a meaningful challenge, but in a way that doesn’t feel obtuse or impossible. For fans of puzzle games,Rivenis an incredibly rewarding experience.
Riven
WHERE TO PLAY
“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: 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: 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: 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.
Rivenis out now on PC and Mac. Game Rant was provided with a PC code for the purposes of this review.
