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).
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).