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==Reception and legacy== {{VG Reviews |Edge =7/10<ref name="edge riven"/> |GSpot =7.8/10<ref name="gamespot rev"/> |AdvGamers={{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="adventure gamers rev" /> |GameRev = A<ref name="game revolution"/> |GR =84% (7 reviews)<ref name="game rankings"/> |MC = 83% (12 reviews)<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/riventhesequeltomyst?q=riven|title=Riven: The Sequel to Myst (pc: 1997): Reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2008-07-19}}</ref> }} Being the first sequel of a game as successful as ''Myst'', ''Riven'' was eagerly anticipated.<ref name="gamespot preview">{{cite web|http://www.gamespot.com/features/riven/}}</ref> On the whole, it was also positively received, with the PC version garnering an average critic score of 84% at [[GameRankings]].<ref name="game rankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/36592.asp?q=Riven|title='Riven' (PC)|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|accessdate=2008-05-19}}</ref> The game sold more than 1.5 million units within a year of its release, and was the best-selling game of 1997,<ref name="myst is riven"/> despite having only been on the market for less than three months. By 2001, over 4.5 million units had been sold.<ref>{{cite news|author=Pham, Alex|date=2001-05-17|title=Game Design; Adding Texture, Detail to Miller Brothers' Legacy|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|page=T4}}</ref> Jeff Segstack of [[GameSpot]] gave the game high marks, explaining that it is "a leisurely paced, all-encompassing, mentally challenging experience. If you enjoyed ''Myst'', you'll thoroughly enjoy ''Riven''."<ref name="gamespot rev">{{cite web|author=Sengstack, Jeff|date=1997-11-03|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/riventhesequeltomyst/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews|title=Riven: The Sequel to Myst|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' stated that the graphics were the best they had seen in any adventure game.<ref name="cvg">{{cite journal|author=Staff|year=1998|month=January|title=Myst Again|journal=[[Computer Gaming World]]}}</ref> Laura Miller of ''[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]'' declared that "Art [...] is what ''Riven'' approaches," and praised the gameplay as having "a graceful elegance that reminds [her] of a masterfully constructed novel."<ref name="riven rapt">{{cite web|author=Miller, Laura|date=1997-11-06|url=http://archive.salon.com/21st/feature/1997/11/cov_06riven.html|title=Riven Rapt|publisher=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]|accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> The game's sound and graphics were consistently praised.<ref name="nyt-personal computers"/><ref name="washingtonpost-plot"/><ref name="boston globe-riven door"/><ref name="gamespot rev"/><ref name="game revolution">{{cite web|author=Garcia, Thomas|date=1997-10-01|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/oldsite/games/mac/riven.htm|title=Riven comes a' tap-tap-tapping at your door|publisher=[[Game Revolution]]|accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref> Nevertheless, several publications found fault with aspects of ''Riven''. ''Computer Gaming World'' felt that the gameplay was too similar to the original ''Myst'', making ''Riven'' the "same game with a new title"; the magazine also criticized the minimal character interaction.<ref name="cvg"/> Gaming magazine ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' felt that although ''Riven'' was a good game, the solitary atmosphere and lack of mobility was steadily becoming outdated, as games like ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' sacrificed graphical fidelity for an increase in freedom. They stated "the question is whether Cyan can incorporate its almost [[Tolkien's legendarium|Tolkien-esque]] world-building skills into a more cutting-edge game vehicle next time."<ref name="edge riven">{{cite journal|author=Staff|title=Riven Review|journal=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|pages=p. 96|year=1997|month=December|issue=4}}</ref> Even long-time players of the ''Myst'' games, such as Heidi Fournier of [[Adventure Gamers]], felt that a few puzzles were too difficult;<ref name="adventure gamers rev">{{cite web|author=Fournier, Heidi|date=2002-05-20|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,68|title=Riven Review|publisher=[[Adventure Gamers]]|accessdate=2008-04-25}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'', meanwhile, believed that the story clues were too symbolic and scant, which made following the plot difficult.<ref name="cvg-review">{{cite web|author=Staff|date=2001-08-31|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3369&skip=yes|title=PC Review: Riven|publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]]|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref> Despite the success of the game, the Miller brothers eventually pursued other projects. Robyn Miller said: "I think it would be a detriment to always, for the rest of our lives, be creating ''Myst''-like projects. […] We're going to change, evolve and grow, just like any person does in any manner."<ref name="cnn - fans"/> Robyn would leave Cyan to form a new development company called Land of Point;<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff|date=1998-03-05|title=Robyn Miller, Co-creator of Riven and Myst, Forms New Development Company Called Land of Point|publisher=[[Business Wire]]|pages=1}}</ref> Wende would also leave to pursue other projects.<ref name="myst is riven">{{cite web|author=Lillington, Karen|date=1998-03-02|url=http://archive.salon.com/21st/feature/1998/03/02feature.html|title='Myst' Partnership is Riven|work=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]|accessdate=2008-04-09}}</ref> The next video game entry in the ''Myst'' franchise would be 2001's ''[[Myst III: Exile]]'', which was not developed by Cyan or published by Broderbund; [[Presto Studios]] took over development, and [[Ubisoft]] published.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Uhler, Greg|year=2001|month=October|title=Presto Studios' Myst III: Exile|journal=[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]]|volume=8|issue=10|pages=pp. 40–47}}</ref>
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