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CRITIK

Riven

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Riven
Item: Riven
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2024

GenresVirtual Reality, Fantasy, Adventure, Indie, Puzzle and Logic, Casual, Mystery, Single Player, First Person Perspective

AvailableJun 25, 2024

PlatformPC

DeveloperCyan Worlds

Overview

The 1997 Riven: The Sequel to Myst title remade from the ground-up. The remake of Riven features a fully traversable 3D space in both Standard First-Person or in VR.

Elsewhere

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

12%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The majority of critics praised the story of Riven for being immersive, engaging, and filled with mystery and intrigue. Adventure Gamers appreciated the focus on environmental storytelling and historical context, while GamingTrend highlighted the sense of wonder and discovery created by the deep and immersive narrative. RPG Fan praised the integration of plot and puzzle-solving, emphasizing the rich narrative and the high stakes involved in the story. The interconnected narrative that unfolds as players progress was noted by CGMagazine, further adding to the depth of the storytelling in Riven. However, some critics did express concerns about certain aspects of the story in Riven. Movies Games and Tech noted issues with voice acting and audio quality, which may have hindered the overall immersion and connection to the narrative. PC Gamer described the narrative as dense and confusing, which could potentially alienate some players and make it challenging to fully grasp the story and its intricacies. Additionally, PCGamesN mentioned that while the story was captivating, it did not delve into specific details that could have enhanced the overall experience for players. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the story of Riven. The majority of reviewers found the narrative to be compelling, mysterious, and immersive, with a strong emphasis on exploration, discovery, and interconnected storytelling. While there were some minor criticisms regarding voice acting, narrative density, and lack of specific details, the general sentiment is that Riven offers a captivating and engaging story that successfully draws players into its enigmatic world filled with rich lore and high stakes.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics laud Riven for its immersive and mysterious storyline, praised for its environmental storytelling and rich narrative. While some noted issues with voice acting and narrative complexity, overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the game's captivating and engaging narrative that keeps players hooked.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

71%

Mixed (50-79)

29%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The majority of critics found the gameplay of Riven to be very good, with several positive aspects highlighted across the reviews. Adventure Gamers praised the puzzle-centric gameplay that requires exploration and interaction with the environment, allowing for note-taking and screenshot saving to aid in puzzle-solving. PC Gamer also commended the inventive and challenging puzzles that reward exploration and observation, providing a personal and satisfying experience. GamingTrend appreciated the challenging puzzles deeply rooted in logic, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The emphasis on exploration, observation, and puzzle-solving was a common positive point among the critics, with many noting the engaging and intricate nature of the puzzles. However, some critics did mention a few negatives regarding the gameplay of Riven. COGconnected felt that the game was methodical with limited mobility and interaction with objects, likening it to a book with a lot of reading and looking. Irish Independent mentioned that some elements of the puzzles have been randomised to prevent easy walkthroughs, which could potentially lead to frustration for players seeking a more guided experience. Movies Games and Tech noted that while the puzzles were engaging, some lacked the 'aha!' moment, indicating a potential lack of satisfaction in certain puzzle solutions. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive towards the gameplay of Riven. The challenging puzzles, emphasis on exploration and observation, and integration of puzzles into the world were highly praised by the majority of reviewers. The game's ability to promote critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and engagement with intricate riddles and challenges resonated well with the critics. Despite some minor criticisms regarding pacing, random elements in puzzles, and occasional lack of satisfaction in solutions, the overall sentiment is that Riven offers a rewarding and immersive gameplay experience that caters to players who enjoy complex and thought-provoking puzzles.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics love Riven's gameplay for its challenging and inventive puzzles that reward exploration and critical thinking. Some minor drawbacks include methodical gameplay and puzzles lacking 'aha!' moments. Overall, Riven offers a highly engaging and immersive experience for puzzle lovers seeking a deep and rewarding challenge.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

82%

Mixed (50-79)

18%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the Graphics and Visual Design of Riven for its exceptional quality and immersive experience. Adventure Gamers commended the detailed and immersive visual design, highlighting the exceptional art direction that showcased unique and mysterious locations with intricate character designs. PC Gamer also lauded the visually stunning recreation of the '90s CG style, noting the beautiful, stylish, and timeless environments that maintained a high level of detail and immersion. The use of Unreal Engine in the remaster was particularly appreciated by CGMagazine, emphasizing the incredible visual update that maintained the original look while enhancing intricate details and textures, creating a believable and dreamlike world. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, there were some minor criticisms regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Riven. GameSkinny noted that while the environmental visuals and special effects were beautiful, the character animations and models were lacking. RPG Fan also mentioned less detailed character models in VR compared to PC, indicating a slight discrepancy in quality between different platforms. Additionally, GameCritics pointed out that while the lush and vivid 3D environments brought the world of Riven to life, some felt that the original pre-rendered look had a more distinct and handmade feel, suggesting a preference for the original aesthetic in terms of character. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Riven excels in its Graphics and Visual Design, with the majority praising the game for its stunning visuals, immersive environments, and faithful recreation of the original game's graphics. The comprehensive remake in full 3D, as highlighted by Irish Independent, offers striking landscapes, ornate steampunk machinery, and diverse biomes that enhance the overall experience. The visual update in Unreal Engine, as noted by GamingTrend and God is a Geek, further elevates the beauty and wonder throughout the game, providing a visually stunning and immersive experience for players. Despite minor criticisms regarding character models and animations, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with Riven being recognized as one of the best-looking first-person puzzle games that successfully captures the essence of the original while enhancing it for modern audiences.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics raved about Riven's Graphics and Visual Design, praising its immersive quality and exceptional art direction that brought unique locations and intricate character designs to life. While some minor critiques surfaced about character animations and models, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. Riven's stunning visuals, immersive environments, and faithful recreation of the original game's graphics make it one of the best-looking first-person puzzle games, with a comprehensive 3D remake that dazzles players and enhances the original experience for modern audiences.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

13%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Riven are overwhelmingly positive. Adventure Gamers praises the ambient sounds that enhance immersion, background music in specific rooms, and well-done voice acting with effective facial animations. GamingTrend also highlights the attention to audio details, fantastic voice acting, ambient sounds, and a brassy musical score that sets the tone perfectly. PCGamesN mentions that Riven's sound design and music contribute to the immersive atmosphere of the game, enriching the player's experience. The critics appreciate the gentle ambiance, environmental noise, impressive background music, and sound effects that enhance the overall experience, as noted by CGMagazine and GameSkinny. Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, there are some minor criticisms regarding the voice acting. Movies Games and Tech mentions that while the characters are intriguing with cool designs and believable motives, the voice acting may not be the best. This suggests that there might be room for improvement in the voiceover performances to further elevate the overall experience. However, this critique does not seem to significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the Sound Design and Music in Riven. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Riven excels in creating an immersive and atmospheric audio experience. The combination of ambient sounds, background music, voice acting, and sound effects effectively enhances the world of Riven and contributes to the overall enjoyment of the game. The critics' positive comments on the soundtrack, voice acting, and attention to audio details indicate that the Sound Design and Music of Riven play a crucial role in immersing players in the game's world and enhancing the storytelling and puzzle-solving experience.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics rave about Riven's sound design and music, praising the immersive ambient sounds, well-done voice acting, and fitting musical score. While some mention minor issues with voice acting, overall, the audio elements enhance the game's atmosphere and player experience. The consensus is that Riven excels in creating an immersive audio experience that enhances storytelling and gameplay.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

30%

Mixed (50-79)

70%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the positives for the PC platform, critics like Adventure Gamers and Movies Games and Tech praise Riven for its smooth performance, detailed environments, and stable frame rates. PC Gamer also highlights the game's ability to run smoothly even on low-end hardware, maintaining a consistent 60FPS at 1080p. Additionally, PCGamesN mentions the stable performance with VR support and accessibility features, enhancing the overall gameplay experience for PC players. On the flip side, some negatives for the PC platform include issues reported by Adventure Gamers on the Meta Quest 2 VR experience, such as texture pop-ins and frame stutters, impacting immersion. GameSkinny notes minor tweaking required for smooth performance on Steam Deck, with some controller issues affecting gameplay. Try Hard Guides experienced bugs like late loading areas and a game crash, although these issues did not significantly hinder progress, they are still worth noting for potential players. Overall, the consensus among critics is largely positive regarding Riven's technical performance across various gaming platforms. The game is commended for its stability, optimization, and immersive environments. Despite some minor glitches and control issues reported by a few critics, the majority agree that Riven offers a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience, especially on PC where it showcases impressive performance even on lower-end systems. Critics like Guardian and RPG Fan highlight the need for powerful hardware for optimal VR play, but overall, the technical performance of Riven is considered stellar by most reviewers.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics praise Riven on PC for its smooth performance, stable frame rates, and VR support, but note minor glitches and control issues. Overall, Riven offers an immersive gaming experience with impressive performance on low-end systems, making it a hit among PC players.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

58%

Mixed (50-79)

42%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The critics generally agree that Riven offers substantial replay value, with many highlighting the game's deep world exploration, challenging puzzles, and multiple endings as key factors contributing to its replayability. Adventure Gamers notes the randomly generated puzzle solutions and multiple endings, while GamingTrend praises the non-linear gameplay, extensive lore, and challenging puzzles that encourage multiple playthroughs. PC Gamer appreciates the captivating challenges layered with lore and secrets, as well as the freeform notebook function that enhances replay value by allowing players to keep track of clues. On the flip side, some critics express concerns that may limit the game's replay value for certain players. COGconnected mentions the famously opaque puzzles that could potentially hinder replayability, while Try Hard Guides points out the lack of guidance and potential frustration that some players may experience, which could limit the game's replay value. GameGrin highlights frustrations with backtracking and easily missed content, which could also impact the overall replayability of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding Riven's replay value. Critics like God is a Geek and PCGamesN commend the game for its intelligent and well-crafted puzzles, deep lore, and rewarding experience that encourages multiple playthroughs. Despite some concerns raised by a few critics, the majority agree that Riven's intricate puzzles, rich storytelling, and immersive world make it a game worth revisiting for players seeking a challenging and engaging experience. The blend of new puzzles, updated mechanics, and the allure of uncovering hidden secrets contribute to the game's lasting appeal and replayability, making it a standout title in the adventure gaming genre.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Riven for its deep world exploration, challenging puzzles, and multiple endings that contribute to substantial replay value. Some mention randomly generated puzzle solutions and non-linear gameplay as highlights, while others note concerns about opaque puzzles and potential frustrations hindering replayability. Overall, critics overwhelmingly recommend Riven for its intelligent puzzles, rich storytelling, and immersive world, making it a standout title in the adventure gaming genre with lasting appeal.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

86%

Mixed (50-79)

14%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The critics unanimously praised Riven for its captivating narrative, challenging puzzles, stunning visuals, and immersive sound design. Adventure Gamers highlighted the immersive visual design and engaging gameplay, while CGMagazine emphasized the captivating narrative and stunning visuals. PC Gamer commended the game for successfully capturing the essence of the original while offering a visually stunning remake, making it an unmissable classic puzzle adventure game. GamingTrend described Riven as a majestic piece of art that offers a feast for the eyes and ears, showcasing the love and attention put into the masterpiece. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks of Riven. GameCritics criticized the game for some overly demanding puzzles, suggesting that players approach the game in a focused manner to fully appreciate its challenges. Movies Games and Tech mentioned storytelling and voice acting as the main drawbacks, impacting the overall experience slightly. Irish Independent noted some outdated elements from the original game, indicating potential areas for improvement in the remake to cater to modern audiences. Overall, the majority of critics viewed Riven's overall verdict very positively. The game was lauded for its faithful remake that successfully balanced nostalgia with modern enhancements, offering a rich and engaging experience for both new and old fans of the series, as highlighted by PCGamesN. While there were minor criticisms regarding challenging puzzles and outdated elements, the consensus among critics was overwhelmingly in favor of Riven being a must-play for fans of deep puzzles, exploration, and mystery. The game was described as a captivating and immersive experience that provides a rewarding journey for dedicated players, making it a destination worth exploring, as noted by Guardian.

TL;DR

Critics praise Riven for its captivating narrative, challenging puzzles, stunning visuals, and immersive sound design, calling it a must-play classic puzzle adventure game with a faithful remake. Despite some criticisms about demanding puzzles and outdated elements, the majority view Riven as a rich and engaging experience balancing nostalgia with modern enhancements, appealing to both new and old fans of the series.

CRITIK

Reviews

45 reviews found

100

GamingTrend

Jun 24, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Riven is described as a majestic piece of art that tests the mind, offers a feast for the eyes and ears, and is a must-play for fans of deep puzzles, showcasing the love and attention put into this masterpiece.

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100

Irish Independent

Jul 10, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A captivating experience with captivating puzzles and a beautifully crafted world, despite some outdated elements from the original game.

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PC Gamer

Jun 24, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Riven is praised as an impressive, immersive, and unmissable classic puzzle adventure game that successfully captures the essence of the original while offering a visually stunning remake. The game's challenging puzzles, immersive world, and rewarding exploration make it a must-play experience.

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PCGamesN

Jun 24, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Riven's remake successfully balances nostalgia with modern enhancements, offering a rich and engaging experience for both new and old fans of the series.

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CGMagazine

Jun 24, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

RIVEN offers an engaging and challenging puzzle-solving experience with a captivating narrative, stunning visuals, and immersive sound design, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

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Gamer Escape

Jun 24, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Riven is a captivating and immersive experience that may not appeal to everyone due to its demanding nature, but for those who enjoy exploration and mystery, it offers an unforgettable journey. The game requires full attention and engagement to fully appreciate its intricacies.

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Try Hard Guides

Jun 24, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Riven is described as a faithful remake that captures the essence of 90s adventure games with a modern graphical update. It offers a unique and immersive experience for both fans of the series and newcomers, providing a fantastic challenge for puzzle gamers.

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GameSkinny

Jun 26, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A faithful re-imagining of the original game with challenging puzzles and beautiful visuals, despite some flaws in character animations and controls.

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RPG Fan

Jul 3, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review overall praises the Riven remake as a success, likening it to revisiting a favorite childhood destination. It commends the effort put into recreating the game and integrating fan contributions.

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COGconnected

Jun 24, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A faithful remake that captures the essence of the original game, easily accessible with improved graphics, but may not appeal to all modern gamers due to its niche and puzzle-heavy nature

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