There are few names in gaming history quite as important as Myst and Riven. Long before cinematic blockbusters and endless open worlds dominated the industry, Cyan Worlds built entire experiences around atmosphere, mystery and the simple joy of figuring things out for yourself.
Now Riven has arrived on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation and PC in fully reimagined form, bringing one of the most celebrated puzzle adventures ever made to modern platforms for £29.24.
Published and developed by Cyan Worlds, this new version rebuilds the 1997 classic with real-time 3D exploration, upgraded visuals and expanded storytelling, while still staying faithful to the surreal world that made the original so beloved.
At A Glance
- Game: Riven
- Developer: Cyan Worlds
- Publisher: Cyan Worlds
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, PC, Play Anywhere
- Genre: Puzzle Adventure
- Price: £29.24
Returning To A World On The Brink
Riven throws players into a strange collapsing world filled with dense jungles, towering structures, hidden mechanisms and puzzles that rarely explain themselves.
You are sent to investigate the unstable Age of Riven and confront Gehn – a man whose obsession with power has twisted the world around him. Along the way, players uncover secrets through observation, exploration and careful attention to the environment itself.
That has always been the defining strength of Cyan’s games. Nothing rushes to explain itself. The world simply exists around you, quietly daring you to understand it.
And yes, you will absolutely end up staring at switches, symbols and machinery wondering what on earth you have missed.
Rebuilt For Modern Platforms
Unlike the original release, this remake allows players to freely explore the world in full 3D rather than moving between static screens.
Cyan Worlds has also upgraded the visuals, expanded sections of the narrative and modernised the presentation while still preserving the unsettling atmosphere and sense of isolation the original became famous for.
Xbox players also benefit from a range of enhanced console features including:
- Xbox Play Anywhere support
- Xbox Series X|S optimisation
- HDR and 4K support
- Optional ray tracing modes
Alongside the Riven launch, Myst has also now released on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2.
Cyan’s Puzzle Legacy Continues
We previously reviewed the modern remake of Myst back in 2021, awarding it a respectable 3.5/5 score while praising the effort to bring the classic puzzle adventure to a new audience.
Now Riven has arrived – and frankly, we liked it even more. Our review of Riven awarded the game an excellent 4.5/5 score, saying: “I had a truly superb time with Riven; my playthrough felt just like catching up with an old friend.”
The review also praised the upgraded visuals, improved movement systems and redesigned puzzles, while warning players not to expect much hand-holding along the way. Which feels entirely appropriate for a Myst universe game.
A Puzzle Adventure That Demands Patience
Modern games rarely trust players to solve things entirely on their own anymore. Riven still does. For some players, that will sound intimidating. For others, it is exactly why games like Myst and Riven became legendary in the first place. Either way, one of gaming’s greatest puzzle adventures is finally back.
You will find Riven on the Xbox Store, playable on Xbox Series X|S, PC and Play Anywhere. It’s also on the PlayStation Store.
