I never fully returned from Riven. A part of me is still there.

I played Riven with my father before being 7 years old, you end up dreaming about other islands that where farther away with library's, forests and prisons, you end up thinking Gehn escaped at the end and dreaming an entire new story line for him, you truly end up wishing this world was real...

1 year later, Cyan has just dropped the new trailer for the Riven remake -- and as someone who was also profounding affected by playing Riven in my childhood, I'm glad Cyan is not DIRECTLY remaking Riven but instead altering and adding new things where they thought it they could go even deeper with it -- without touching the aesthetics of the game like they did with the 2021 Myst remake. The graphics and art direction look so AUTHENTICALLY and UNQUESTIONABLY Riven -- I dunno, I think it WILL be like playing for the first time all over again. And it comes out *in just a few weeks.*

Great video! I just finished the Riven remake, and wanted to scroll back to see what others were saying about the games. We also grew up with Humongous Entertainment games and the Myst series. PJ Sam and Riven are both masterpieces in my book. I'm sorry you feel like you missed out on the Myst/Riven initial hype. What's important is that you're here now, and it sounds like you did it with a group of friends, which is awesome! Your final analogy of the game as a dying world was poignant. Riven was a real place for many of us, but once it's over, as with most puzzle games, we can never truly return

Riven is being remade now, and it will be amazing to revisit that world in VR. I am so excited to see that.

Brilliant video man - Riven is truly a masterpiece, and largely where my love of puzzle games started. You captured that magic perfectly.

I replayed riven a couple years ago. Best atmosphere of any game ive ever played.

Very well done and stated. This is an immense sadness when you finish Riven. There are no more secrets to uncover, and you can never play and discover Riven again for the first time. The way Cyan were able to make Riven feel like a real place inhabited by real people back in 1997 was truly special. I honestly believe it was the greatest video game ever created. I feel like I have actually visited these islands. It's nuts and very hard to explain, as your video points out. Great watch!

ahaaaah, my mission to get as many people to play Riven as possible is going swimmingly. I shall report to my superiors and-- I mean... yeah, great vid. Love this game. Do Exile next.

Beautiful. I bought the 10th anniversary bundle back in 2003. I devoured Myst, went into Riven immediately and spent a good few weeks wandering around with only the slightest sense of progress. I eventually gave up. I’ve always wanted to return. You make it sound like it’d be worth it. Maybe I need to move that Myst retrospective idea I have up the list. 😁

Yes, Riven, a masterpiece in gameplay and story telling. Love it (in case you hadn't guessed).

Just started playing this a few days ago and the world feels more real than pretty much anything I've played. Such a monumental achievement considering when it was made.

Something about those PC titles, pre-rendered backgrounds, ominous vibes and all sorts of graphical fuckery just screams to me. The way you explained that sort of missing feeling of nostalgia really sums up how I feel about other titles like it, Garage Bad Dream Adventure especially. Really good shit. ♥

You clearly love Riven just like any OG player who experienced it first in 97'. This was a great love letter to the game. The Riven remake comes out on June 25th 2024 and while it won't be the same (like you said in your video) it will hopefully take us back there and fill some of the void that was left in us from when we first played.

A few more weeks to go and I will be finally going back to Riven

Absolutely beautiful video, 1000/10 also: HOW IS THIS HOW I FIND OUT THEYRE REMAKING RIVEN

Best game ever. VR version coming out this year!

The original PC version of Myst from 1994 will forever be the most nostalgia inducing presence of any game I have ever played because of incredible impact on me at the time. Everything was jaw dropping; the visuals, the puzzles, the lore. And somehow, 3 years later, Riven surpassed it. Absolutely amazing!

Word for word, totally 100% agree! And I had Riven in my hands one day before it was officially released due to a special Cyan fan release schedule. I played it through, bit by bit, with a couple friends, and I have never experienced anything like it since. I cannot express it, but you did it quite well here in the video. I mourn too.

Played the original in '97 or '98. Playing the remake currently. Outer Wilds is worth your time. Like crazy worth your time. The things you're saying about Riven are the things people say about Outer Wilds. Do NOT spoil it for yourself, just get it and play it.

And now, just a year later, they're working on an updated version for you to get stuck in. :-)

I never in my life ever expected to hear Atrus speak Japanese. Wow. Man, I have so much nostalgia for both Myst and Riven, but I know I’ve already commented here before about my childhood spent playing both these games with my family. I’ll say that there’s a shockingly good book trilogy too. The first one in particular, The Book of Atrus, is just incredible on both storytelling and worldbuilding. Sadly, I’ve never played Exile, Revelation, or End of Ages, but I would love to one day!

Where was I? At my grandpa's place, checking out my uncle's computer upstairs. I think I spent that entire day just wandering the first island. I never even figured out tower rotation, I just poked things. Didn't get to any other worlds that day. I was just lost, in the experience. Sure, eventually I did do things in it. Always left the rocket until last, it could take me hours to find any of the notes on the sliders. I'd keep overshooting the exact spot on the slider, or I'd loose the note in my mind, or ... hours. But not unhappy ones.

Fantastic video.

So glad when PC classics like these get highlighted. Most games on the platform were passion projects and experimental. This, Doom, Monkey Island, even The Sims.

Love this video! Big fan of Riven myself :) It's my favourite in the Myst series, due to its many strengths which make it such a memorable experience! Still own the original 5 CD-rom versions from back then :P

I’m jealous of the people that read the book of atrus and knew all about the age of riven before the game came out

I was fully expecting a 8 hour analysis of this game that seems to be the norm with stuff like this i mean theres nothing wrong with that but like im sure alot of content creators can express how they feel about something without writing a 300 page college thesis on it good on you Cullen for at least getting to the point

It sounds stupid but looking up hints whilst playing the Myst series is one of my biggest regrets, I would have been more satisfied if I had figures out everything myself even if it took me months for a really immersive experience.

Thanks for making this video, Cullen

That’s a sub from me. Fantastic video!

haha GAMING, but seriously great video! I can say that because I watched it. The whole thing.

Okay it has a completely different atmosphere, but have you played outer wilds? If not you should.

I've got to ask. What about Uru? That odd, mmorpg myst spinoff thing?

necronomicon was strong narrative p&c too

Dont need to convince me..👍

Now it's time to check out the hidden kino that is "PYST" (Don't actually do that)

Which "two puzzles" are you talking about?

Ah. An eulogy for an experience that can never be repeated. Not gonna lie, I would have preferred an actual structured review, but with this you are at least avoiding the procrastination that many creators and critics feel when they're going back and forth on how to express themselves about a particular work. It takes a certain degree of self-reflection to know when all you can do is move on.

The bad news: you were only a year old when Riven came out, and you have a painful lack of nostalgia. The good news: you are still in your 20s.

😴 'Promo sm'

Some Bible quotes and The Gospel - How to Get Saved KJV Romans 5:12 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 3:10,23-24 3:10- As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one 3:23-24 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: == -(How that Christ died - he shed his blood) Romans 3:25 Whom God hath sent forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remissions of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Hebrews 10:10 By the which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all == Once Saved Always Saved Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Tired of the word "masterpiece" being thrown around so much by reviewers. This game is far too convoluted for most people to enjoy. That alone, is enough to argue against this game's "masterpiece" status. A masterpiece for Cyan? Sure. A masterpiece of gaming? No.