Riven

Riven (1997), also known as Riven: The Sequel to Myst is an adventure game where you must explore a world or island to decipher its mysteries. You interact with objects to discover what they mean and how to use them, by investigating the indigenous culture and nature. It stands out not only for the intriguing narrative you uncover but also because you must become intimately familiar with its world to reveal it.

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The sequel to the classic adventure game Myst, it takes place in the same world but in a different time and is set on remote islands that have been subject to a megalomaniac. As you explore the islands' locations, from futuristic Victorian settlements to ancient ruins and lush forests, you gradually uncover a rich history that calls you to take your place within it.

Play involves interacting with the objects you find and using your knowledge of the world to figure out how they work. By closely examining the architecture, art, and designs across the islands, you must piece together the culture, nature of being, and rules that define how things operate in this universe, then apply that to the items to make them work and advance to new areas.

The result is a game that entices you to learn how its world works through careful observation, thoughtfulness, and experimentation. Using what you learn of the world to figure out how every new object and item works to gradually progress and unravel the intriguing story maintains a sense of engagement and discovery throughout.

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Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Riven 9 months ago. It was re-examined by Ollie Robertson and updated 5 weeks ago.