Riven

Riven is widely regarded as a masterful sequel to Myst, offering a more challenging and abstract puzzle experience that rewards keen observation and logical deduction. The remake significantly enhances the original's visuals with detailed, immersive 3D environments that bring the world of Riven to life, making exploration deeply engaging. Players praise the game’s intricate world-building, environmental storytelling, and the thoughtful redesign of puzzles that maintain the original's spirit while improving intuitiveness.

However, some players criticize the remake for slow transition animations and occasional tedious backtracking, which can hinder pacing. The in-game note-taking system is seen as outdated and cumbersome, especially in VR where note-taking is limited. Minor bugs and occasional frustrating mechanics like pixel hunting detract slightly from the experience. Nevertheless, the game remains a rewarding challenge for puzzle enthusiasts and fans of atmospheric exploration games, with many recommending playing Myst first for full narrative context.

Highlights

Players consistently praise Riven's improved graphics and immersive world design, highlighting the remake’s success in translating the original’s carefully composed environments into fully explorable 3D spaces. The puzzle design is lauded for being challenging yet logical, with a strong emphasis on environmental clues over guesswork. The storyline, though subtle and reliant on environmental storytelling, effectively draws players into the mysterious world. VR support adds a new level of immersion, enhancing the sense of presence in Riven’s volcanic islands and intricate ages.

Overall, the game is celebrated for its rich atmosphere, clever puzzles, and faithful yet enhanced remake approach that respects the original while modernizing gameplay.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the slow pacing caused by lengthy transition animations such as doors and elevators, which frustrate some players. The note-taking system is considered outdated and inconvenient, particularly in VR where it lacks integration, forcing players to rely on external methods. Some players find the puzzle complexity overwhelming or tedious, especially with repeated backtracking near the end. Minor bugs, including occasional control glitches and VR-specific issues, have been reported. A few players mention that the character animations and lip-syncing feel dated compared to the rest of the visuals. Lastly, the game’s reliance on pixel hunting without an option to highlight interactable objects is seen as a drawback.