Riven: The Sequel to Myst Remake Announced by Cyan Worlds

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Image: Cyan Worlds

Cyan Worlds has announced that it is developing a remake of Riven, the 1997 sequel to its iconic graphic adventure/puzzle game, Myst. An open letter to fans of Riven shared on Cyan World’s official site can confirm that the remake will reference some of the work that was achieved through “The Starry Expanse Project,” a community effort that began 13 years ago as an attempt to modernize the classic game, while a FAQ has offered some other early details, such as how it will be “fully traversable in 3D space.” Cyan World says it’ll have plenty more to share at a later date.

From the Riven FAQ:

Q: Are you working on a remake of Riven?
A: Yes.

Q: Is it a remaster or a from-the-ground-up modern remake?
A: It is a modern remake.

Q: Is this remake point-and-click only like the original Riven was, or will it be traversable in 3D space?
A: The remake of Riven will be fully traversable in 3D space. Any other supported navigation methods will be announced at a later date.

Q: Why did this take so long? It’s been 25 years!
A: Riven is one of the most highly regarded games in Cyan’s history. We didn’t want to approach it lightly or frivolously. Cyan is a small indie studio. We wanted to make sure we could take on such a difficult, costly and complicated endeavor – and do it well.

Q: Is this the Starry Expanse Project?
A: No, this is a from-the-ground-up remake of Riven from Cyan. However, the Starry Expanse team did assist in kicking off this project. See our blog post here for more details on that.

Q: Which platforms is it coming to, when it is coming out, what are the system requirements… etc.?
A: We don’t have information to share about that yet.

Q: If I purchased a copy of the original Riven, will I get a free copy of this remake?
A: Thank you for your support over the years! But, no. This new Riven is not an update or upgrade, it is a modern from-the-ground-up remake that has required (and will continue to require) a substantial investment of resources.

Q: I must know more! Where can I find out more information about this new version of Riven?!
A: The best way to keep up with the development process is to subscribe to our Cyan Insider newsletter, as we typically share the latest news with our subscribers first!

A description for the original Riven:

Prepare to enter a world “torn asunder” by timeless, unresolved conflicts–a world of incomparable beauty, intrigue, and betrayal. Prepare to go to Riven. Journey through vast, awe-inspiring landscapes, where clouds sit nestled in a deep blue sky and the rolling sea waters shimmer from bright morning sunlight. But be forewarned: nothing is quite as it seems.

Reclusive beings and mysterious creatures populate the land. Deep, dark secrets lay hidden at every turn. Your utmost powers of observation and reason are required to complete a most elusive task. You must let Riven become your world. Only then may the truth be discovered and a world saved. Riven stands as a story for all time, a story that evokes a sense of awe, wonder, and profound purpose. Prepare to go to Riven–a world unlike any you’ve ever known.

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Tsing Mui
News poster at The FPS Review.

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