Both titles are landmarks,Mystespecially so given its more than 30-year history and place within gaming.Rivenwas the direct follow-up, and between the two they were hailed as laying the groundwork for first-person point-and-click puzzle games, setting the template for many more that came in their wake. With the pair now currently available on PS Plus Premium, it makes them the perfect match for genre fans as well as a great chance for those who haven’t yet experienced them to dive into their surreal worlds full of intricate mysteries to unravel.
RivenandMysthave also received various updated iterations since their original releases, including full remakes and VR versions.
Myst and Riven On PS Plus Premium Is The Perfect One-Two Punch
Riven and Myst Are Two Classic Puzzle Genre Heavyweights
Mystis often considered the grandfather of point-and-click puzzle games. When developer Cyan Worlds Inc. first unleashed it to audiences on PC in 1993,Mystwas wildly successful. It garnered critical praise for its immersive design and intelligent puzzles, resulting in impressive sales numbers, moving more than 6 million units and remaining the highest-selling PC game for almost a full decade until eventually being dethroned byThe Sims.Mystswiftly became synonymous with the puzzle genre, and the IP went on to become a household name and touchstone for many.
Mystwas inducted into the Video Game Hall of Famein 2024.
Four years later, Cyan released its ambitious sequel,Riven. With advancements in technology and lessons learned from its previous work,Rivenwas a more polished package. It offered improved graphics and interface, agreater focus on narrative and lore, and a generally smoother flow, although a few of its puzzles were noted to be a little more obtuse compared to most ofMyst’s. Taken together, though, they form a coherent vision and stand the test of time as some of the best examples of entries within the genre that they are largely credited as responsible for inventing or at least popularizing.
Myst and Riven On PS Plus Premium Offer a Timeless Experience for New and Longtime Fans
Mystsends fans to the oddly empty titular island, offering only a brief explanation and instruction as to why their anonymous character is there, or what exactly they are supposed to do. As they navigate itsartistically gorgeous pre-rendered world, curiosity becomes the driving factor in figuring out how to access the various Ages (essentially levels) from the island’s main hub to uncover what happened and how they can escape.Rivenbuilt upon this core gameplay loop, increasing the number and complexity of the areas and puzzles. It also added to the established lore with more firmly connecting story threads, creating a strong link between the two mechanically and narratively.
Although the genre overall may not have the pull it once did,MystandRivenare undeniably innovators and were inspirations for later first-personpuzzlers likeThe Talos PrincipleandThe Witness. Their inclusion on PS Plus Premium offers a convenient way for older players to revisitRivenandMystwhile doubling as an excellent entry point for younger audiences who weren’t around to experience the originals, and provides a great opportunity for fans to play some of the most impactful puzzle titles either again or for the first time.
