Riven: The Sequel to Myst

After the success of the original "Myst" game changed the landscape of computer gaming, its widely-awaited sequel created an even more engaging atmosphere. The only trouble? It is difficult to the point of giving up on far too many occasions.

Basically, "Riven" follows the same point-and-click philosophy as its predecessor. You go around solving logic puzzles with the goal of saving Catherine (wife of age-writer Atrus) from the murderous Gehn.

In terms of overall imagination and scope, "Riven" is, dare I say, easily the "best" of the Myst bunch. The puzzles are more engaging than "Myst", and the game just has an epic feel to it. Every single different island, creature, or pathway one encounters in the game leads to an amazing discovery. At least at the outset, it is almost impossible to not get swept away by the atmosphere and become completely immersed in the gameplay.

The problem? Here it is: After playing all the Myst games through as a teenager when they first came out, I decided to tackle them all again and review them on Amazon this time. "Myst" was a grand experience, and so was "Riven"...until you actually have to begin solving the the mystery of the Golden Domes (which leads in turn to the infuriating dot-matrix puzzle). The difficulty level gets to the point where one most devote countless hours (and probably even some sleepless nights!) to wrapping one's brain around the mysteries. Unless you are fully, 100% committed to the game, you will waver at this point.

An easy "fix" for the difficulty problem would have been having the islands be a bit more accessible. Whereas in "Myst" the action took place in relatively enclosed spaces, "Riven" sprawls out over and incredibly large environment. Thus, a "discovery" on one island is prompted not only by the thought of "I know what this does now", but also "how the heck do I get back there?!". Not having to spend valuable time traipsing across the entire game would have ratcheted up the experience quite a bit (instead of dragging it down considerably).

We got Riven free when we bought our computer, and it didn't come in a box or a case, but just by looking at the pictures on the discs, I couldn't wait to play this game.

When I first started, I didn't even have a clue of how to get off the first island. But I soon began to understand the game, and I discovered more and more codes and secrets. But this game is so hard. Even with cheats, I had no idea how to play it. I can't even manage to get onto disc 5, which means there's a whole other area I haven't yet discovered. And what exactly is the aim of the game? To complete the puzzles? Then what? I am clueless.

This was the first computer game I ever played, and I thought the graphics were great. And they were! This game is really beautiful, both the settings, and the music, and everything else! The graphics are so good that the game seems real, and yet the whole idea of it is so surreal it's almost like a dream.

I recommend you try this but it is a lot more difficult than it's previous, MYST, and much more of a challenge...

Anyway, a good game, 10 out of 10!

Riven was probably the best game I have ever played. The graphics and story really allow you to become part of that world. The puzzles, while hard, leave you with a great sense of satisfaction when you complete them, as the story can leap forward once you have finished them. I throughly enjoyed my visit to Riven.

OK, so Riven is not a movie. It's really a computer game. Nevertheless, it is still worth commenting about it since the movie scenes are also wonderful. First, the game. Yes, it is very difficult. The first time I played it I needed some help, and even the second time I found it difficult. However, you can go online to find some hints to help you complete the game. Trust me, it's worth the effort. Now, the movies. John Keston, the actor who portrays Gehn, does an excellent job. You learn so much about him before you actually meet him, and when you finally meet him, he fits the bill precisely. Also, when someone talks to you, be it Gehn, Catherine or Atrus, you feel like they're talking directly to you! You get a special feeling that not even most movies can deliver. Overall, I recommend this game in the best possible way!

Riven is truly the most beautiful game I have ever played. The experience is almost spiritual in its depth. The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, and artistically designed down to the tiniest detail, and quality is high throughout. John Keston's performance as Gehn is very convincing and adds to the feeling of being inside a grand story. I would love to see a movie set in this world. The visual splendour surpassed 99% of the films out there.

The game is large, but I solved it over the course of 4 days, so it's not "huge" as advertised. My major gripe is that I would have preferred it to be twice as long. The puzzles are intelligent, and not arbitrary. Unlike many problem-solving games, a trial-and-error approach is almost useless in Riven. Only building an understanding of the world, together with some intuitive leaps of logic, will help.

Thoroughly recommended.