Game Information --------------------
Game Title: Riven
Platforms:
- PC (Jun 25, 2024)
- Meta Quest (Jun 25, 2024)
Trailer:
Developer: Cyan Worlds Inc
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 86 average - 94% recommended - 17 reviews
Critic Reviews -------------
AltChar - Asmir Kovacevic - 85 / 100
>Riven is the pinnacle of puzzle-oriented games, and in this regard, you probably won't find any better or even on the same level—its puzzles are just something else. If you combine it with a mysterious story and charming aesthetics, you'll get a game that will occupy your attention for quite a while.
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CGMagazine - Jordan Biordi - 9 / 10
>Much like its updated predecessor RIVEN is an incredible remake of one of gaming's most iconic puzzle games.
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COGconnected - Jaina Hill - 88 / 100
>If I could only pick one puzzle game to bring to a desert island, I probably would not choose Riven. Fortunately, that is not the case. It’s fascinating to see this missing link of game design. It’s nice to dig into some genuinely excellent writing and art. The puzzles are as opaque as they ever were, which is what a lot of people like about them. I think we need more remakes like Riven, that capture as much as they can about how games felt back then. That’s how we move forward, that’s how games get even better.
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Checkpoint Gaming - Kolby James - 8.5 / 10
>Overall the remake of Riven is an excellent effort on all fronts. The original Riven was already an exceptionally high quality title that is still playable even today. This new ground-up remake takes that epic title and introduces it to a new generation. This is definitely its final form and stands on its own as an excellent release. I highly recommend it, not just to fans of the original but to any gamer who enjoys puzzle games.
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EIP Gaming - Dylan Graves - 8.1 / 10
>Riven is still one of the best puzzle games of all time, with challenging puzzles, an intricate plot, and a gorgeous world that all fold into each other in great ways. It's a wonderful experience, except for how slow it can be at points. As a remake, the full 3d movement and stunning new graphics add a lot, though replacing the FMV cutscenes with in-game cutscenes does pull away some of the game's original charm.
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Entertainium - Gareth Brading - Masterpiece
>The Myst games will always hold a special place in my heart, and although their spiritual successors like Obduction and The Talos Principle fill much of the same gap, there’s nothing which is quite like them. The complexity and challenge of the puzzles has long been a source of frustration for some players, as the game never holds your hand or offers hints. Riven and its sequel Myst III: Exile are the clear highlights of this formula in both style and content, with Exile still being my personal favourite. For this reason I do hope that Cyan feels comfortable giving Exile the same remake treatment next, even though they weren’t the original developers (that being the long defunct Presto Studios). The Riven remake is an expert modernization and expansion to the original, bringing its gorgeous worlds fully to life, and still packed full of fairly challenging puzzles.
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GameLuster - Axel Cushing - 8 / 10
>Updated for modern systems, Riven reminds us why it's a classic adventure game. Perhaps a bit short now, occasionally obtuse in its puzzles, but still visually stunning and engaging.
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Gamer Escape - Josh McGrath - 9 / 10
>When I first went into the Riven remake, I really wasn't sure if I would enjoy it or not. I had only played Myst once back when I was ten or so, and I couldn't make heads or tales of it back then. Seeing fans of the game talk about its difficulty had me nervous as well. > >But once I found myself immersed in the world, everything just kind of...clicked. Riven isn't an obstuse puzzle box like I expected. It's a surprisingly fleshed-out world. One of seeming loneliness, one of mystery, one that wound up being absolutely enthralling. One that absolutely won't be for everyone, but if it manages to hook you in, good luck getting it to let go. > >Riven is a game that demands your full attention, occasionally to its detriment. If you aren't locked in and focused, it is easy to lose the trail the game is gently leading you on. But if you can give it your time and attention, it will take you on an unforgettable ride.
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GamingTrend - Ron Burke - 100 / 100
>When Riven was first released in 1997 it was heralded as a majestic piece of art. Now almost 30 years later, Cyan Worlds returns to that world, bringing it to modern standards using the tools of today. Once again, they've created a majestic piece of art, and a world worth exploring all over again. It'll test your mind, it's a feast for your eyes and ears, and if you enjoy deep puzzles, it's a game you absolutely cannot miss.
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God is a Geek - Chris White - 8 / 10
>While Riven is difficult, Cyan Worlds has done a remarkable job remaking one of the most influential puzzle games of all time.
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PC Gamer - Kerry Brunskill - 90 / 100
>Riven is as impressive, immersive, and unmissable as it's ever been.
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SECTOR.sk - Matúš Štrba - Slovak - 8 / 10
>The new Riven is a polished relic from a bygone era when games were made very differently. And played very differently. It offers a very different experience to what's on the market today. I don't think it will be a bestseller, but it will certainly appeal to those who like to explore unconventional worlds and solve challenging puzzles. Plus, you can play it in VR.
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Saving Content - Scott Ellison II - 5 / 5
>Riven is for old and new players, offering new twists for players of the original while offering a deep and rewarding experience for newcomers. Riven has never looked better, and has finally received the remake treatment it has so rightly deserved after 27 agonizing years. Cyan has completed their arc of remaking their first two Myst games with incredible accuracy, care, and reverence, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Riven is a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern realism to provide a puzzle adventure for the ages.
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TechRaptor - Erren Van Duine - 8.5 / 10
>The new version of Riven is a beautiful addition to the Myst series with addition to detail in its fully rendered environments, and plenty of exploration to be had despite some obscure puzzles.
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The Games Machine - Nicholas Mercurio - Italian - 9 / 10
>The Riven remake makes its return to the scene with absolute pomp, proving once again how much the journey is more important than the destination. The graphic modernization is illustrious and of absolute caliber, as well as everything else, elevated to the asymptote of wonder. It could involve both long-time enthusiasts and newbies.
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TheGamer - Meg Pelliccio - 3.5 / 5
>Riven remains one of the most captivating and challenging puzzle games I have ever played. You can’t help but leave the game wanting to learn more about the strange and mysterious world it welcomes you into. I encourage anyone to play this remake, however, while it’s a fine VR game, it’s best enjoyed on PC so you can fully commit to note-taking for puzzles and avoid the added frustration of whipping your headset on and off.
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Try Hard Guides - Erik Hodges - 9 / 10
>With its lonely, other-worldly setting, interesting sci-fi and fantastical elements, and puzzling puzzles, the remake Riven is a game that feels incredibly faithful to the era in which it was created and should be a fantastic title for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
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Whatcha all playing?
Do I even need to ask?! Elden ring!! Shadow of the erdtree! It's so good 😊
Ofc I know the game is not for everyone though! So, shadow of the erdtree or not, what are you playing :)
So that was a thread huh?
Sorry to have to lock the post and clean up some comments, but I think it's safe to say that gamergater apologia is not cool on the gaming community here.
Please do not downplay death threats, especially when they come from a site absolutely known for sending them out. Think what you want about SBI, but to deny Gamergate and other harassment campaigns and the damage they have caused is dangerous and also absolutely does not contribute to making beehaw a safe place.
Thanks ❤️
never targeted by harassment
Sweet Baby Inc found themselves at the center of attention at kiwi farms, a website known for harassment and driving people to suicide. I find it very far fetched to believe they received no harassment.
Ubisoft being in bed with SBI is also not a lie
Unless I totally missed it, I see nowhere in this article that said they didn't work with SBI?
Everything I have seen points to Yasuke being a samurai. Lots of reading on it sourced in this reddit comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1css0ye/comment/l4bghbu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
How is the game disrespectful to Japanese people?
There are so many outlandish claims in this comment with basically nothing backing it up
There's a good mod on the steam workshop that adds a tutorial NPC, I highly recommend it! It's one of the top rated mods
Whatcha all playing!
I've been playing more slay the spire, working my way up to A20 with the silent. Also started fallout 76 lol. Seeing if I can get into it after getting it for free
I have fond memories of a game called dino defender. I played it when I was like 5 years old so the game might be bad but maybe not!
Another game from that era that seemed cool but I could never get to work on my computer was scan command. It came with this barcode scanner you could use to scan various barcodes, which would give you pieces to build your own dinosaur fighter thing. Seemed cool, and I scanned the heck out of barcodes ... But never got to see the fruits of my labor 😔
Raspberry Pi priced its IPO on the London Stock Exchange on Tuesday morning at £2.80 per share, valuing it at £542 million, or $690 million.
Apologies for the late thread!
What have you all been playing? I've been playing a ton of elden ring to get ready for the dlc :) suuuuper excited!
Sick! I tried the beta for this out and was very impressed. Game has been great for a while but the controller support for me is pushing it even higher
There's really not a ton you need to know going into riven story wise. I'll keep it vague if you care about spoilers but it takes place right after the first game is done and it's basically a brand new mission a character sends you on, and he explains it at the beginning. Puzzle/ gameplay wise however I would definitely recommend playing Myst first. Riven is quite a bit more difficult/ obtuse than Myst, and can be frustrating if you don't know what you're getting into. Myst is a better starting point imo
Hell yeah another myst lore enjoyer. I also love that book! The lore is so intriguing and was the subject of many deep dives when I was younger
Sweet! I kept saying I'd consider getting this if it had PC support, soooo maybe I'm saving up now 👀
What are you all playing? I've been trying out the slay the spire downfall mod a bit. Got some wins with the new characters. A lot of fun!
Whatcha all been playing!
I've been playing a lot of slay the spire, finally got a heart win with ironclad, leaving only the watcher without one. Also finished the true ending for animal well which was a blast!
I'm not a massive IGN hater but yikes. This is consolidation I don't want to see.... I like Eurogamer a lot, I hope they don't change much
Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian is to open a seventh studio in Warsaw.
Whatcha all playing!
I played and rolled credits in animal well which was really fantastic. I am still looking for secrets! Also checked out caves of qud's new UI update on the beta branch. It's outstanding
Valve’s new game Deadlock looks like every Valve game smashed together
What are you all playing! I beat thousand year door! Really amazing game. I understand why it is so beloved.
I also started and am almost done with the original fallout. Probably the 20th time I've tried to get into it and I was actually able to this time! Once I'm done with that I want to start Animal Well
When reading opinion pieces, especially ones on topics that I am passionate about, I try and keep a level head and not let the fact that it's written in a publication I enjoy inform my opinion too much. That being said, I thought this was a well done look back at so many of the things the Xbox brand has gotten wrong over the years.
In today's fast paced world I think it can be easy to forget stuff like lionhead's closure and especially the PR releases that were said at that time. The similarities in the pr releases to the recent closures and lionhead's closure were interesting to see.
I find myself overall agreeing with this piece and it's conclusions. I do feel the author's idea of why entertainment companies exist to perhaps be a little idealistic (although I am admittedly pretty jaded on the industry and capitalism as a whole at this point in my life). They claim that entertainment companies exist "to provide that entertainment." Sure I think creative leads and the devs (especially in the games industry) are there to provide entertainment that they are passionate about. But idk if I can ever see a period where the publisher was in it for the art, despite what they may say. My jaded view is it's always been for profits. That being said, while reading this and having that view in the back of my head, I did start to question myself a bit. Why is Xbox struggling so hard? I mean if every publisher is in it for the same reason, (profit in my mind) why is Xbox struggling so much with having a clear path. Sure the industry as a whole has been struggling this past year or so, but Xbox seemingly has been struggling for a lot longer. While not a huge Sony fan, they have provided a large list of really excellent games. Sony is of course in it for profits, but they seem to have had more success in getting quality games out the door.
Idk the piece made me think about the whole thing more and I'm not really sure where my thoughts are going to settle. I do know that I really think this shouldn't have happened. Despite the state of the industry, Microsoft had $20 billion in profit last quarter. I see no reason why this needed to happen.
Thanks for sharing
Idk id argue it is surprising. Say what you want about the performance of these games financially, but these studios were bought by one of the wealthiest companies in the world. Sure maybe the games weren't a huge hit, but like.... So? You have money. One flop and they're axed? Xbox said they want to be bigger in the Japanese market, yet they closed their only Japanese studio. A studio with a bunch of talent and training that is gone now. Xbox has a huge problem bringing studios up and getting good output. Their best exclusive (at the time) of 2023 is now without a developer. Why not eat that cost? Yes I get a lot of studios are closing right now but that shouldn't be happening at a company like Microsoft. But line must always be going up I guess
There's a statement on this ign article that says arkane Austin will have devs go to other studios, but nothing on the tango front. They're just closing it.
Absolutely devastating. Prey, high fi rush, evil within. All amazing games. Hate this shit. Love that one of the wealthiest companies in the world bought these studios and are still closing them. Fuck this shit
Earthbound and the whole mother series are some of my all time faves. Mother 3 in particular is so outstanding it is a crime it hasn't been localized! I have the osts in my regular rotation. Earthbound is probably my favorite for nostalgia reasons since I played it well before the others, and I like its format a bit more than the chapter based format of 3. However 3 is probably the more polished and better game
New week new games! Whatcha all been playing? I decided to finally finish paper Mario ttyd (emulated on dolphin). Almost done with it! Trying to beat bone tail on the 100 level dungeon rn...
Only real reason I use fennec over mull is mull by default has a fingerprinting setting that, while being better for privacy, locks the app to 60hz and my phone supports 120hz. If 60hz doesn't bother you then I think mull is the better choice. But they're really similar at the end of the day
Afaik he's always been independent. I think he ran with the democratic party for the presidency, but unless I missed something he's always been independent with his senate position
Roll7 and Intercept Games shuttered
Gutted by this
It also likely wouldn't exist if it wasn't an epic exclusive (they funded it). I do wish they could have gotten someone else to publish it of course, but I'm thankful the game exists at all, it's really outstanding
Here's the updated status of Remedy's portfolio.
Hey whatcha all been playing! I finally finished Alan wake 2 after a long hiatus. Maybe a tad too long but damn what a game. Cannot wait for Control 2 and whatever else Remedy has cooking
Some Republicans have been defensive that the party has a strong anti-democratic bent. But the state GOP convention embraced it, putting it right in the party platform.
Archive link: http://archive.today/fW4xz
Libraries' attempts and proposed plans for archiving older games don't strike a chord with the ESA, which still thinks it remains publishers' burden.
A well-ordered countryside will become your favorite haunt later this year.
Chloyster [she/her] @beehaw.org Trans rights 🏳️⚧️ (she/her)
PFP by https://twitter.com/AWolfhardt