Riven Meta Quest 3 Review

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Fast Facts

Riven, originally released in 1997 as the sequel to the legendary Myst, has been reborn in VR for the Meta Quest 3. The story picks up where Myst left off, plunging players into a richly woven narrative filled with mystery and exploration. You’re tasked with rescuing Catherine and capturing Gehn, and you’re thrown into the thick of things with minimal guidance—just enough to keep you on your toes. This sense of disorientation is part of the game’s charm, making every discovery feel earned and significant.

The game’s lore is as deep as ever, with journals, notes, and environmental storytelling adding layers to the already complex narrative. The world of Riven is eerie and mysterious, filled with strange languages, bizarre machinery, and hints of a civilization that’s both ancient and advanced. It’s a testament to Cyan’s storytelling prowess that even after all these years, Riven’s world feels alive and engaging.

Riven captures the essence of the original game, mixing classic point-and-click mechanics with the immersive capabilities of modern VR. This isn’t just a port; it’s a full-blown VR experience that allows you to explore the five islands of Riven like never before. You’ll find yourself solving intricate puzzles, deciphering codes, and constantly revisiting areas as new clues unfold.

For newcomers, Riven offers a rich, Cyan experience of mind-bending puzzles and exploration. Veterans will notice some tweaks and updates to puzzles, adding a fresh challenge even if you remember the old solutions. However, be prepared for a lot of walking and backtracking as you navigate the islands. This can be a bit tedious, but it’s part of the old-school charm that Riven fans love. Just remember to bring your real-world notepad, as the game lacks a good in-VR note-taking feature—a bit of a bummer for such a puzzle-heavy game. There is a photo more to take screenshots, but It can be a bit tedious to manage and not as helpful as a note pad.

On the Meta Quest 3, Riven is a visual treat, albeit with some caveats. The game’s environments are beautifully rendered, capturing the natural beauty and architectural wonders of the islands. However, you’ll notice a mix of high and low-res textures, especially up close. The NPCs look a bit cartoonish, which can be jarring against the otherwise realistic backdrop.

The PC VR version offers a more polished visual experience, with higher texture quality and fewer graphical oddities. Even so, you might encounter some quirks like mismatched shadows and textures popping in. Despite these issues, the overall visual experience remains stunning, with breathtaking vistas that make exploration rewarding.

Sound design in Riven is another highlight. The ambient noises, from the rustling of leaves to the distant calls of strange creatures, create an immersive soundscape that pulls you into the world. The music is haunting and atmospheric, enhancing the sense of mystery and discovery.

Dialogue and sound effects are well-executed, although the switch from FMV characters to 3D models means the original’s unique charm is slightly lost. Still, the sound work overall adds depth to the game, making every step and interaction feel significant. I would have preferred the FMV character style like in the game The 7th Guest VR (read my review).

Ah, the puzzles—Riven’s pièce de résistance. These puzzles are challenging and often require a great deal of patience and keen observation. Some have been modified for the VR version, adding new layers of complexity or simplicity. You’ll need to translate languages, decode symbols, and remember sequences across different islands. The infamous fire marble puzzle, for instance, remains as brain-bending as ever, though it’s been tweaked to keep veterans on their toes.

However, the need to jot down notes can be frustrating in VR. The lack of a robust in-game note-taking system means you’ll be frequently lifting your headset to scribble on paper, breaking immersion. Screenshots help, but they’re not a perfect solution when you need to compare detailed notes.

Riven does a fantastic job of immersing you in its world. The first-person perspective in VR makes the environment feel more tangible and immediate. Walking through dense forests, navigating ancient structures, and encountering the game’s wildlife is a surreal experience. However, the immersion is occasionally broken by technical limitations, such as loading screens during island transitions and some clunky object interactions.

Despite these hiccups, the game’s design and atmosphere keep you engaged. The sense of isolation and discovery is palpable, and the environmental storytelling is top-notch. You’ll feel like a true adventurer, piecing together the story from the world around you.

Riven on the Meta Quest 3 is a delightful blend of nostalgia and modern gaming. While it has some technical limitations and the lack of a good in-VR note-taking system is a drawback, the game’s rich story, challenging puzzles, and immersive world make it a must-play for fans of the original. It’s also perfect for newcomers alike. Just be prepared to spend a lot of time exploring and taking notes in the real world. Riven remains a captivating journey into a beautifully crafted, mysterious world.

Rapid Reviews Rating

4 out of 5

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