8 replies to this topic

[Kaeloree]

Riven is undoubtably one of my favourite computer games of all time, even though it's ridiculously outdated. Has anyone here played Riven? If so, what did you think?

I love almost every aspect of the game - the gorgeous visuals, the atmospheric music, the ambience, and especially how it draws you in. How you're pulled into the game world, and you can almost feel the texture of the metal rails, or the bark on the trees.

I'm also wondering about the sequels. I've never played them, and I've heard both good *and* bad things about them. Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions? Would it be worth getting the sequels?

[Kulyok]

I've got all five Myst games+Uru at home, but I only played two: the original Myst(with enhancements and 360' view and without it, back in 90's) and Myst III: the Exile.

The Exile was one of the best, if not the best, games I ever played. I think without Brad Dourif it wouldn't have been the same - man, when I saw this guy in Beyond the Sea I squealed like a fangirl. Urgh.

I don't remember how much time the puzzles cost, but I eventually got past them on my own, though I had to look up the connection for the key phrases in Narayan - I've been dead stuck for two days.

In Riven, I never got past the opening sequence. I know it's good, but I was just so spoiled by the Exile, I couldn't go further in Riven - especially since in Riven, there were live people in the beginning, as opposed to Myst and the Exile, and to me, they spoiled all the fun. (Besides, I tried Uru just before Riven, and Uru: Ages Beyond Myst sucked big time). But I think I'll play the whole saga sometime.

[Jarno Mikkola]

If you are talking about this Riven, then could you call it as it is, Myth II: Riven.
Never played the game, never will.

[Kellen]

I installed it played for maybe an hour or two and uninstalled it. That was about 10 years ago. Give or take a few.

[Miss Sakaki]

I like Riven. The music and the visuals are pretty damn beautiful. One of my favourite areas is that bit with the woodchipper - it's so desolate (yes, I have a thing for deserts). And there's that palpable sense of mystery. Thing is, I've never been able to get very far in it. This is partly because my patience runs out quite quickly when trying to figure out puzzles. But it's also because there's no plot-poking. I find it hard to keep motivated when I have no idea what I'm meant to be doing or whether I'm doing it right. The original Myst, on the other hand, had a lot more structure - figure out how to get to an age, make decisions about what to do there, figure out how to get back - and I find it more successful for having that.

This may of course be connected with the fact that I played Myst with my dad when I was very little and now know all of it off by heart. 2:40 2,2,1 for the win. Also, Sirrus may or may not have been my first fictional crush.

[Kaeloree]

Kulyok, on Nov 12 2007, 08:52 PM, said:

I've got all five Myst games+Uru at home, but I only played two: the original Myst(with enhancements and 360' view and without it, back in 90's) and Myst III: the Exile.

The Exile was one of the best, if not the best, games I ever played. I think without Brad Dourif it wouldn't have been the same - man, when I saw this guy in Beyond the Sea I squealed like a fangirl. Urgh.

I bought the PS2 version of Myst III: Exile a few years back, and couldn't get into it, heh. It was also gorgeous and clever, but I didn't get very far, and gave it to a friend who did like it. If it is that good, it might be worth seeing if I can get it back.

Kulyok, on Nov 12 2007, 08:52 PM, said:

I don't remember how much time the puzzles cost, but I eventually got past them on my own, though I had to look up the connection for the key phrases in Narayan - I've been dead stuck for two days.

Yeah, I remember doing an awful lot of that in Riven; it's nice to have some games which actually require you to think for yourself, I think.

Kulyok, on Nov 12 2007, 08:52 PM, said:

In Riven, I never got past the opening sequence. I know it's good, but I was just so spoiled by the Exile, I couldn't go further in Riven - especially since in Riven, there were live people in the beginning, as opposed to Myst and the Exile, and to me, they spoiled all the fun. (Besides, I tried Uru just before Riven, and Uru: Ages Beyond Myst sucked big time). But I think I'll play the whole saga sometime.

I'd forgotten about Uru - yeah, I've tried that too; I... wasn't terribly enthralled. It might be worth playing the series from the start, yeah.

Jarno Mikkola, on Nov 12 2007, 08:56 PM, said:

If you are talking about this Riven, then could you call it as it is, Myth II: Riven.
Never played the game, never will.

Yeah. Any particular reason, or just not to your tastes?

Miss Sakaki, on Nov 13 2007, 02:51 AM, said:

I like Riven. The music and the visuals are pretty damn beautiful. One of my favourite areas is that bit with the woodchipper - it's so desolate (yes, I have a thing for deserts). And there's that palpable sense of mystery. Thing is, I've never been able to get very far in it. This is partly because my patience runs out quite quickly when trying to figure out puzzles. But it's also because there's no plot-poking. I find it hard to keep motivated when I have no idea what I'm meant to be doing or whether I'm doing it right. The original Myst, on the other hand, had a lot more structure - figure out how to get to an age, make decisions about what to do there, figure out how to get back - and I find it more successful for having that.

It is very player-driven; you really have to be motivated. Admittedly, the last few times I didn't install it to play - I installed it because the visuals always inspire me.

I've heard that Riven is the least driven in the series. I tend to play it in little spurts, where I get a little further, and then move on to other things. That way I don't implode with frustration or cause certain necessary computer appendages to fly through the air.

Miss Sakaki, on Nov 13 2007, 02:51 AM, said:

This may of course be connected with the fact that I played Myst with my dad when I was very little and now know all of it off by heart. 2:40 2,2,1 for the win. Also, Sirrus may or may not have been my first fictional crush.

Heh Well, I wouldn't expect any less, Miss S.

[Menelanna]

I loved the Riven game.
Myst was okay.
Myst III:Exile was lots of fun. The some great scenery in that one. One of the worlds has a view of a sunset that looks sooooo real! I just sat there staring at it with a gaping mouth for about 5 minutes.

Myst IV was really nice too. Got to meet Atrus' daughter, Yeesha. The sons (not really mentioned since the first game) also played a part.

I have not gotten around to playing Myst V. But I will one day.

And URU just did not catch me. Just did not have the same feel as the other games so I stopped playing.

[Kaeloree]

Yantra3d, home of Tony Davidson who worked on Riven as an artist, shows quite a few images from the game as well as some test renders - a very interesting look, for those who liked the game. (And even for those who didn't!)

[Jarno Mikkola]

K, on Nov 12 2007, 11:43 PM, said:

Jarno Mikkola, on Nov 12 2007, 08:56 PM, said:

Never played the game, never will.

Any particular reason, or just not to your tastes?

Well, if the attraction of the game is mostly created by the graffics, and it's more than five year's old game, well, you do the math. And for starters there was the language barrier, and all those made up reasons. And I hate poorly done high graffics...ps, Oblivion among others...

Yes, I'll silence myself now.