Riven: The Sequel to Myst
Riven: The Sequel to Myst was designed by Robyn Miller and Richard Vander Wende, developed by Cyan, and published 1997 by Red Orb Entertainment. The original release for Mac and Windows was spread across five compact discs. An updated version was released in 1998 on a single DVD-ROM, with some minor enhancements, and it was ported to many different systems over the years. In 2024, Cyan released a remake will full 3D movement for Mac, Windows, and Meta Quest VR. This version is quite a bit different, with redesigned puzzles and new areas to explore.
Riven begins exactly where Myst ends, with the player standing before Atrus in D’ni. Atrus enlists your help to rescue his wife Catherine from the dying Riven age, and imprison his father Gehn, who is holding her hostage. The world of Riven includes multiple islands to explore, a new language to learn, and significantly less guidance than Myst.
Riven is one of my favorite games, and it was a delight to play it again after so many years. The remake is also beautifully done and offers a very different experience that was just as enjoyable. Alongside Riven I sampled the games of Playdate Season 2, including Blippo+.
- Riven (2024)
Available for Mac, Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, SteamVR, and Meta Quest. - Riven: The Sequel to Myst (1997)
Available for Mac and Windows. The original game. - Riven on Wikipedia
- Riven: The Sequel to Myst on MobyGames
1998, Part 1
I own several copies of Riven and I haven’t played it in 27 years! Let’s play the 1998 DVD-ROM release for Mac OS 8.1.
1998, Part 2 + Playdate S2
Continuing Riven tonight! I don’t remember how to do anything in this game! Before we get into Riven I’m going to check out the first round of games from Playdate Season 2: Dig! Dig! Dino!, Fulcrum Defender, and Blippo+.
1998, Part 3 + Playdate S2
It’s time for more Playdate games then more Riven! I’m a big fan of both of these! This actual fan is my enemy though.
1998, Part 4 + Playdate S2
Continuing Riven tonight—we finally made progress last week so there’s a lot to explore! But first: Playdate season 2’s week 3 games!
1998, Part 5 + Playdate S2
Continuing Riven tonight! Stop by if you love metal scraping metal sounds. Also: Shadowgate PD, CatchaDiablos, and Blippo+ for Playdate! (I am very excited to try Shadowgate.)
1998, Part 6 + Playdate S2
I’ve made a lot of marble-related progress and I’m very excited to get back to Riven tonight! But first let’s check out this week’s Playdate games: Tiny Turnip, Chance’s Lucky Escape, and the latest from Blippo+. (I am especially looking forward to Chance’s Lucky Escape by Goloso Games and Julia Minamata.)
1998, Part 7 + Playdate S2
We’re in the place! The place on the box!! I’m continuing Riven tonight, but first we’ll start with the final week of Playdate season 2: Taria & Como, Black Hole Havoc, and of course the latest from Blippo+. (Taria & Como looks especially good.)
1998, Part 8 + Blippo+
I’m losing my marbles over this Riven puzzle!! Haha get it OK actually I have all the marbles I just don’t know where to put them. Continuing Riven: The Sequel to Myst shortly! First up: the latest from Blippo+.
1998, Part 9 + Blippo+
I will start the 2024 remake of Riven tonight. However we have many other things to enjoy from the original Riven first: alternate endings, Gehn singing an opera, and a speed run in under 13 minutes. Also: the latest from Blippo+!
2024, Part 1
After finishing up the original game, I get started on the Riven 2024 remake.