This I think might be the best adventure game ever made. What Cyan pulled off with Myst and Riven is nothing short of tremendous. There's no dying, no permanent fail state, no violence that occurs onscreen, and no HUD to speak of. There's nothing between you and the atmosphere of the world. And what a world it is! These graphics STILL look good, over twenty-five years after its initial release on the Mac. All the upcoming remake really needs to do is just polish up what's already here and put it in a higher resolution and it would still turn heads.

The story is equally compelling and remains mysterious even now. Be warned though, that it's told all through text. Make sure you can read cursive, or you might not be able to fully understand what's happening. And do not be afraid to use a walkthrough. Some editions of this game even included a hint book, because these are some of the trickiest logic puzzles ever put in an adventure game, but once you figure them out, it's simple. it's like they were built for inhabitants of the islands rather than for a game. Since you're an outsider, you have to learn all about the culture of Riven in order to complete the game, which requires you to be immersed in the world and the lore.

Truly, a gaming experience like no other. Make sure to take notes, and you'll find a desolate, contemplative experience like none other.