Riven (1997)

I was just pulling out some old boxes and found all 5 of my RIVEN CD's, but obviously, they are not compatible with my computer (Mac 10.7.5). Is there no other way besides the iPad to get this game on my computer? I would be SOO excited to play again.

I assumed, maybe naively, that a version adapted to Windows 7 would also have a contemporary resolution. Not so. The game either displays in tiny window in the middle, or when run in 640x480 pixels mode, it has a distorted aspect ratio :-( on any typical 16:9 wide screen, and is simply not enjoyable visually. Besides, I also assumed that Riven would have, like Real Myst, animated movement during navigation. This game is though rather like the original Myst: Mostly a display of static images, being replaced during navigation through the Islands. Not really a contemporary state of art, I am afraid.

But this is the worst version I have seen. Everything is compressed to Pixelania... It is so compressed so bad that the game is not enjoyable. A big part of the game is the nature, scenery, strange buildings, etc. But with this 1.6GB version it is so pixelated because of compressing that I will delete it and continue to search for the DVD-verson... I have tried my friends Riven (5 CD's) so I know how it should have been. (I want the DVD-version, so I don't have to switch CD's all the time.) If all games are compressed like this, I will never buy games from here...

Disclaimer: November 2020 was my first time playing Riven. This review is based on my 2020 gameplay experience. Graphics: C. Visually, Riven is quite an accomplishment for an older game, but only barely serviceable by 2020 standards. Animations like the revolving room and tram cars were excruciatingly long and repetitive. FMV cutscenes are grainy. Mechanics: C. The control scheme is decent once you get used to it, but some things are hard to click on. Puzzles: C. Some of them were fun, but I'm a little salty over running around for 2 hours looking for wood for the wood chipper, only to find out this wasn't a part of a puzzle. The game clearly shows you how to make books in the revolving room, including an image of the wood chipper, and the game is about magic books. Then to show me an area where trees are being cut down, directly followed by an area that can only be a paper mill, complete with a functional wood chipper. Yes, the book making process is part of the lore, but if it's not part of a puzzle, make it non-interactive so people don't waste time with it. The puzzles are hard enough as it is. Story, lore, and acting: A. I quite enjoyed the rescue mission and all the background lore for the setting. Acting for FMV cutscenes was surprisingly good. Overall: C. I do not recommend Riven to people who have not already played it. I can understand the nostalgia, but unless someone has an exceptionally high tolerance for puzzler tedium and old games, Riven might be a disappointment.

Just another old game on GOG which is said to work on older systems but doesn't. Please update system requirements on your website...!