Initially released in 1997, Riven is a puzzle adventure game. A sequel to the game Myst, Riven continued to expand on the world of its predecessor while challenging players to even more puzzles in its unique fantasy setting. Now, nearly 30 years after its original release, the game is returning with a massive graphical overhaul as it harnesses the opportunities provided by Unreal Engine 5 to make its world shine. But while much of the presentation is new, the developers at Cyan have been careful to maintain the feel the original game charmed players with all those years ago.
Rebuilt from the ground up for modern platforms, this remake of Riven promises an exciting opportunity for fans of the original game. Dazzling visuals breathe new life into its well-trodden spaces. With the crashing waves and glittering sunlight playing off the familiar golden dome, players will be treated to a fantastic new version of the game’s world. These gorgeous enhancements create a world the player can explore with a new level of freedom as they now have complete control of the character, allowing them to enjoy this classic game more seamlessly.
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But while this enhanced maneuverability combines with gorgeous reimagined visuals to create a gameplay experience that will welcome new gamers, Riven still sports many elements that harken back to a bygone era of puzzle adventure gaming. Interactable objects are not highlighted, leaving players to search environments for what they can use. This lack of guidance extends to the game’s objectives as well. From the moment the player is transported to the world of Riven through the iconic linking book, it is up to them to find their way.
The most noteworthy throwback to the classic that will surprise players is the continued absence of a player avatar. With all the gorgeous graphical improvements present, I assumed that environmental interactions would play out with the player’s avatar reaching out to turn wheels, pull levers, etc. Rather than this, I saw the classic hand icon replace the mouse arrow and nothing else. During a press preview of the game, I got to ask Rand Miller, one of the masterminds behind Riven and Co-Founder/CEO of Cyan, about the choice; he explained to me that, while they had considered adding a player avatar to the game, they felt it would hurt the player’s immersion into the world.
This faithfulness to the game’s classic appeal isn’t limited solely to how you interact with it. The opening moments of the game feature familiar dialogue and characters. These moments have been enhanced with modern technology but still hold onto their nostalgic charm. The same can be said for the world itself.
Any fan of Riven will find most of the game instantly familiar. The rotating scarab room, the golden dome, and the MagLev car are all present in the game’s opening section, Temple Island. But while things are mostly the same, the devs have allowed for a few tweaks here and there. A locked gate has a new means of interaction, and a critical room gets relocated in this new version. Nothing that breaks the game, just a bit of fresh seasoning to spice up the experience.
The game’s visual improvements also reveal additional story elements. Virtually any view of the waters surrounding the island is littered with crescent-shaped scars cut into the water. These cuts are foreboding sights, reminding players that not all is right in Riven. Environmental storytelling is a cornerstone of adventure games, and thanks to modern technology, the folks at Cyan are eager to build upon it.
Along with its PC launch, Riven is stepping into the modern age of gaming even further by coming to VR headsets. While I was unable to experience the demo in VR, the devs said that they are doing all they can to ensure that the first-person view journey flows as smoothly as possible for VR gamers.
From my hands-on time with the opening area of Riven, I walked away convinced that the developers at Cyan have managed something truly special: a modern remake of a classic game that enhances it for the current audience while remaining faithful to the unique charm of its origins.
The PC demo will be available for players to check out during Steam Next Fest in June. On June 25th, the full game will be released on Windows PCs, Macs, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest 3.
