RIVEN (1997), the sequel to iconic point-and-click puzzle-adventure MYST (1993), simply bought the VR therapy in its new remake. In contrast to Myst, which felt just a little too game-y and obtuse at instances, Riven performs much more like a contemporary title, which because of Quest and SteamVR help, is true in each sense of the phrase now. Granted, you’ll have to look previous some VR implementation points which hold it from feeling like a ground-up VR native, though nevertheless you play, you’ll be exploring an enchanting world that’s each puzzle-dense and undeniably stunning at each flip.
RIVEN Particulars:
Out there On: Quest 2/3, SteamVR
Reviewed On: Quest 3, Quest 3 through Hyperlink
Launch Date: June twenty fifth, 2024
Worth: $35
Developer: Cyan Worlds
Gameplay
I do know Riven fairly nicely by now, having shuffled my approach round its 5 PlayStation 1 discs various instances as a child. That is the primary time popping again in as an grownup although, so I sort of get the possibility to not solely relive a little bit of the previous, however rediscover puzzles lengthy forgotten, this time within the immersive first-person view of a VR headset.
Whereas I actually can’t cease nostalgia coloring a few of my expertise with the brand new 3D-rendered Riven, I’ve spent sufficient time in VR to know the place issues match on the VR-port-continuum. Some video games really feel unnecessarily compelled into working with VR, some are indistinguishable from VR-natives, and someplace within the center are nice video games that also really feel like ports, however that’s okay as a result of they create sufficient to the desk on their very own. That’s the place Riven sits—nice sport that works fairly okay in VR.
In case you’re enjoying it for the primary time, you’re in for a patently Cyan expertise of deciphering codes, shuffling puzzle items round, and visiting (and probably re-re-revisiting) locations, doorways, and enigmatic set items to determine the world round you. That’s purpose sufficient to play if you happen to’ve by no means had the possibility. Riven’s puzzle might be powerful for the uninitiated, however finally extra rewarding than Myst because of its heaps of environmental storytelling that feels much less formulaic, and much more natural. Extra on that within the Immersion part.
In case you have performed earlier than although, lots of the sport’s puzzles and devices are barely modified from the originals, seemingly because of the spatial nature of real-time 3D graphics versus the single-frame point-and-click authentic, which was rather more static in how its offered interactive components. A 27-year-old walkthrough guide that works with the unique should be helpful to assist with the broad strokes, however you’ll undoubtedly discover variations right here and there, with some puzzle components simplified, or difficult in new methods separate from the unique.
One factor that hasn’t modified is there’s nonetheless a ton of strolling and looping round to do, which is only a function of the sport as a consequence of its broad and diverse puzzles. You’ll spend period of time circumnavigating one of many sport’s 5 islands for the umpteenth time activate a factor, to return to a puzzle throughout the map to see what it did. Then once more, that’s simply the old-fashioned attraction and hands-off strategy Riven brings to the desk.
![](https://roadtovrlive-5ea0.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/riven-red.jpg)
Not solely that, however the old-fashioned strategy to sport design makes you depend upon your individual spatial reminiscence. There aren’t any map markers, indicators, or ‘useful’ NPCs to information your approach—a side of the sport that also makes it considered one of my favourite experiences.
And in contrast to Myst, you’ll be able to go a reasonably spectacular distance via the sport with only some arduous roadblocks to cease you, making development really feel very pure. Then once more, Riven is beloved for being extra natural in stage design, and fewer formulaic than Myst total, feeling a lot much less like of a jumble of toys, and extra like Cyan’s fashionable titles Obduction (2016) and Firmament (2023).
![](https://roadtovrlive-5ea0.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/riven-car-1.jpg)
Figuring out Riven’s previous, I shouldn’t actually complain about loading instances—they’re definitely quicker than shuffling via a damaged jewel case stuffed with PS1 discs—nevertheless on Quest you’ll be sitting there for some time ready for ranges to load, the longest of which is the preliminary startup display screen which the sport warns “may take a couple of minutes” to do (it does). From there, whether or not on Quest or SteamVR, car transitions will continually toss out 10-second loading screens, which doesn’t sound like a lot, however occur on either side of transfers between islands.
One other niggle: there’s no sensible technique to write down notes so you’ll be able to bear in mind clues or sketch out options, which is exactly what you’ll have to do to decode stuff. You possibly can take a screenshot with the sport’s built-in digital camera system, and that’s about it. I simply want there was a spatial pencil so I may annotate discovered letters, or someway hold myself from taking off the headset to jot down stuff down.
Immersion
I had an opportunity to play each on Quest 3 natively and PC VR variations. Right here’s the breakdown between the 2, which most anybody can guess.
On the Quest model you’ll discover a ton of low-res textures and geometry that dynamically chunk-loads into place the nearer you get to it. As soon as issues are in place although, at instances Riven might be one of many prettiest video games on the Quest platform. That’s if there aren’t any NPCs round, that are bloated and just a little too cartoony for the sport’s lush, pure atmosphere.
![](https://roadtovrlive-5ea0.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/riven-npc.jpg)
It additionally appears Cyan is throwing your entire toolbox of Quest efficiency tips at you always, together with what seems like always-on asynchronous spacewarp and obviously apparent fastened foveated rendering.
Because it was primarily developed for the flatscreen PC crowd, the PC VR model is a good bit forward of the Quest 3 native when it comes to visuals. Even on ‘Epic’ settings although, you’re certain to note some oddly utilized shaders that make shadows dance about and transfer after they shouldn’t, and in addition discrepancies in how shaders work in each eyes, resulting in some fairly seen mismatches in shadows and lighting. Nonetheless. chunk-loading of areas is generally minimal and textures are pretty excessive, making it rightfully a extra graphically intense model of the sport.
Like Myst, Riven suffers from middling object interplay, which is a disgrace contemplating what number of gadgets are strewn about within the sport. Oftentimes I’d discover myself making an attempt to work together with one thing, solely to seek out out I wasn’t urgent it accurately, or it wasn’t interactive in any respect within the first place, making it extra of a guessing sport than it must be. Right here’s me fruitlessly greedy at a bizarre banana-kiwi factor, then making an attempt to seize a unusually unusable pencil on the identical desk. Once more, I want I may use that rattling pencil.
There’s a bodily stock although the place you’ll be able to hold the assorted books you acquire all through the sport, though you’ll be able to’t use it for anything.
Whether or not you’re on Quest or SteamVR, one thing that by no means fails to impress is coming to a precipice or turning a bend to discover a new, breathtaking scene in entrance of you. Riven is all about pure magnificence, punctuated with megalithic buildings that don’t really feel practically as deserted and lonely as Myst did.
There’s wildlife, sprawling villages, shrines, and loads of environmental storytelling right here to dig into, placing exploration on the forefront. There’s even inhabitants on the earth, albeit too skittish to work together with such an apparent outsider.
Consolation
Riven options the total gamut of consolation choices along with some high quality of life choices that make issues just a little simpler, however seemingly much less immersive in consequence. Touring between islands is all the time executed on some type of car, which could be a little jarring for some because it’s quick and a bit jerky.
You possibly can flip automobiles transitions off completely although, basically letting you bounce proper to the following island’s rail station, or put within the choice to make home windows soiled, which helps floor you just a little extra within the car’s cockpit. The sport additionally provides related choices for fast traversal of stairs and ladders, which in any other case a manually climbable.
Take a look at the total consolation guidelines under:
‘RIVEN’ Consolation Settings – June twenty fifth, 2024 |
|
Turning |
|
Synthetic turning | |
Snap-turn | ✔ |
Fast-turn | ✖ |
Clean-turn | ✔ |
Motion |
|
Synthetic motion | |
Teleport-move | ✔ |
Sprint-move | ✖ |
Clean-move | ✔ |
Blinders | ✔ |
Head-based | ✔ |
Controller-based | ✔ |
Swappable motion hand | ✔ |
Posture |
|
Standing mode | ✔ |
Seated mode | ✔ |
Synthetic crouch | ✖ |
Actual crouch | ✔ |
Accessibility |
|
Subtitles | |
Languages |
English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese language, Spanish |
Dialogue audio | |
Languages | English |
Adjustable issue | ✖ |
Two palms required | ✖ |
Actual crouch required | ✖ |
Listening to required | ✖ |
Adjustable participant peak | ✔ |