Riven: The Sequel to Myst

About

You arrive on Riven a world fractured by ancient betrayals and unstable magic. As the Stranger you navigate crumbling islands and eerie ruins to rescue Atrus’s captured wife while figuring out the chaos left by his power-hungry father. The point-and-click puzzles demand sharp observation and creative thinking to manipulate the environment restore broken connections and avoid deadly traps. Every location pulses with hidden lore and visual secrets that tie into the broader mystery of linking books and fractured realities. Riven earned acclaim for its ambitious design and atmospheric storytelling. Critics praised its intricate puzzles and painterly landscapes which pushed CD-ROM technology to its limits in 1997. Though some modern players find the pacing slow the game remains a landmark in adventure gaming with a Metacritic score of 87. Its reputation as a challenging yet rewarding experience lingers two decades later.

Storyline

After the Stranger has rescued Atrus, the master of "linking books", from the imprisonment caused by his sons, a new task awaits the hero. Atrus's wife, Catherine, has been taken by Gehn, his own father. Gehn has appointed himself as the one to rule the Age of Riven, and has driven his world to collapse. Now he holds Catherine hostage on Riven, hoping that his son will restore the book link to the Age and free him from there. The Stranger is requested by Atrus to travel to Riven and find a way to rescue Catherine.