For those of you who have seen our review of Myst on the Quest (caption: we gave it a 9) from a couple of years back, you already know that I’m a book-carrying member of the Cyan fan club. In that review, I mentioned that the only real problem with Myst was that it was utterly eclipsed by its sequel, Riven. Now, the unthinkable has happened: Riven has materialised on the Quest and Steam, remade and rethought for VR and modern systems. I’m almost impossibly excited about it, but I promise you, dear viewers, that I will do my best to objectively analyse whether Riven 2024 is worth your time, money, and emotional investment. We will avoid spoilers for the plot or puzzles to the best of our ability.

A Link to the Past

I believe that Riven is one of the most important and successful titles in the history of narrative gaming. It epitomises the principle of “show, don’t tell.” It traps you alone in a beautiful, forbidding world where exploration and understanding are the primary rewards. There are mysteries to be solved, and each machine, lever, and room is an organic part of the world-building, context building upon context in a satisfying, thrillingly non-linear way. The original game was beautiful, intriguing, and immersive despite being presented as a series of static prerendered images. This remains a wonder today. Now, in the age of VR, the promise of Riven should be fully realised.

Age of Wonders

I have seen the opening scenes of the original Riven hundreds of times. I can vouch that Cyan has not only beautifully updated the graphics and gracefully replaced the live actors with motion-captured models, but they have also stayed true to the original performances and body language. The slightly dodgy 3D models of what were once real (but also dodgy) performers were the main sticking point of Myst in VR, but this is thankfully not the case here. When the cutscenes have played out and the game finally opens the door to the world of Riven, you’re free to explore Riven in full 3D for the first time. For me, that is a very emotional moment. It’s the difference between obsessing over a place through photographs for a couple of decades and then finding yourself there for real. I will preempt the rest of my review here and state right now that Cyan has utterly, definitively nailed it.

D’ni, The Champion of the World

The original Riven is a masterpiece. The remake surpasses it in every way, and VR is the definitive way to play it. It’s so much more than just a new way to explore the world; like Myst before it, it’s as if it has been waiting for VR to exist. To virtually stand in beautiful environments that have hitherto only existed as barely animated stills is a dream realised. It actually makes the puzzle-solving so much more rewarding and substantial. A very early puzzle involves working out the rotation of a pentagonal room to make progress. Being able to stand in the room and physically rotate makes the logic of the problem a lot easier to parse. Peering through lenses and gaps for clues is a physical act in VR rather than a button press, and the islands of Riven have been subtly retooled to take advantage of the new possibilities of vantage points and perspectives not available before. The physicality of VR—such as pulling levers, pressing buttons, or opening doors—feels completely fantastic. Reading a book requires physically holding the book and flipping through the pages, which is crucial to the lore and setting. The ability to use both hands on a machine or gadget while looking around, a natural act in real life but impossible in flat gaming, is a necessity in the VR version of Riven.

Cyan Pride

All of this is what one might cautiously and hopefully expect from a developer with a duty of care to its beloved back catalogue. What truly impresses me is that Cyan has been fearless in daring to improve on the original title. They have introduced new approaches to puzzles and new mechanics, altered the topography of islands here and there, and added subtle narrative tweaks and touches that enhance the classic version. All the changes are improvements; some were made not just to bolster gameplay but to make the narrative sing a little more. To new players, everything will seem well-wrought and satisfying. To returning players like me, there are a hundred little improvements and changes that delight, intrigue, and occasionally astonish. Cyan has served their fan base well and provided a wealth of riches for those taking their first steps in this brave new world.

Get the Book Out of Here

Riven is beautiful. The concern with any modern 3D remake would always be whether they could convey the same level of beauty as the original. For a 26-year-old game, Riven still stands up as astonishingly good-looking, the sheer quality of the prerendered world transcending its technical limitations. The folks at Cyan were kind enough to provide us with copies of both the Meta Quest and Steam versions of the game for comparison. Of course, the Quest will never compete with PCVR, and the nature of the game means it can’t draw from the same technical aspects as Red Matter 2. The PC version of Riven is utterly incredible to look at, bringing joyous new life to the game. Even with my gaming laptop running Riven at modest settings for VR’s sake, the graphics are wondrous.

The Quest version is an eyebrow-raisingly decent attempt to convey the same content with some caveats. Firstly, of course, the textures take a hit, but some more so than others. It’s still a beautiful game, but some environments are a little fuzzy and muted. There’s occasionally a bit of glitching and pop-in, but nothing too aggravating. In some areas, the foveated rendering (the pixelation around areas towards the edge of the Quest lenses) is noticeable and a little distracting. But it’s the water that’s actually problematic, noticeably devoid of splashing effects at best and, in one area in particular, flat and glitchy, making the surrounding geometry appear off. The rest of the game is so lovely to look at, and these issues really stand out. They could be better realised. Overall, while the Quest version is never going to reach photorealism, it’s a beautiful thing.

The Cries of Strange Birds

The audio is my favourite part of Riven’s presentation. The sound design is peerless, from the atmospheric ambience of different locations to the creaking of boards and old metal and the clanking of ancient machinery. The fact that most of it remains unchanged from the original game is a testament to the effort and care lavished on every detail over a quarter of a century ago. Sound plays a possibly more significant role in the success of Riven than the visuals, and this becomes even more apparent in VR. Put on some headphones, and you can lose yourself entirely in this alien yet relatable and familiar world.

Special mention must go to the music, a score that manages to be creepy, mysterious, and soothing all at once. Music is sparing and subtle but essential to the game’s fabric, underpinning everything with an unsettling, nagging sense of dread and wonder.

Familiar Patterns of Decay

There are a few things that could be improved in the current Quest version of the game. The glitches and pop-ins are a little concerning, detracting slightly from the game’s polish. While the use of VR is wonderful, and the additions to the game are completely welcome, the new inventory satchel could have been more organically realised. Many VR games use an over-the-shoulder motion to retrieve backpacks, which would be preferable to the button press here, making its absence a curious omission.

Loading times can be distracting and are the main thing that breaks immersion. While the lengthy initial loading process can be easily forgiven and forgotten, the long pause to take an in-game screenshot and bring up the menu is a drag. This might sound spoiled coming from someone who played through the original game multiple times and had to endure physically changing CD-ROMs between every island. However, the (short) loading screens during travel are unwelcome and jarring in VR. At least there’s a pleasant animation to watch while it loads.

My final gripe is that there needs to be a way to annotate the screenshots you take. A virtual pen to scribble on the screenshots and keep notes would have been a most welcome addition.

And So, I Close

Riven on the Meta Quest is, by far, the best puzzle and exploration game on the platform. It easily joins Resident Evil 4 on the winner’s podium for beloved older classics, given a new lease of life in VR. The care lavished upon Riven is considerable, presenting thoughtful armchair adventurers with a nourishing and immersive experience that will linger in the heart and mind long after leaving the headset. It’s been my favourite virtual world for half a century, and VR is the best and greatest way to experience it.

Starship Home allows players to use the Quest 3’s passthrough cameras to blend their physical environment with the virtual world, turning ordinary living spaces into starships ready to explore the galaxy. Players will engage in hyperspace travel, gather and nurture alien plants, and communicate with friendly extraterrestrials—all while uncovering the mystery of a blight that threatens plant life across the stars.

The game is being developed by a team of industry veterans, including Mark Schramm (SUPERHOT VR, Gravity Lab) and Ashley Pinnick (Tilt Brush, Slimeball), under the direction of Doug North Cook, the founder of Creature. Starship Home is set to launch exclusively on Meta Quest 3 later this year, with pre-orders now open.

Escaping Wonderland is not a direct sequel but rather a fresh story that invites both newcomers and veterans of the Down the Rabbit Hole series to explore a diorama-like world filled with whimsical puzzles, curious characters, and brain-teasers that will challenge even the most seasoned players. The game retains the charm and style of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland, while introducing a new hero and a fresh cast of characters, ensuring a delightful experience for everyone.

The game is now available for pre-order on the Meta Quest Store, with a 10% discount for those who pre-order before its release. Escaping Wonderland promises to deliver a substantial experience with more of what fans loved in the original game, all while offering a completely new adventure.

Escaping Wonderland will be showcased at Gamescom this summer, where press and attendees can get a first look at the game in the B2B section. Those interested in booking an appointment can contact Beyond Frames Entertainment to secure their spot.

Clawball will be available for free on Meta Quest’s App Lab in early access starting October 2024, with a full release planned for the Quest Store in 2025. Players eager to jump in can join the closed beta through ARVORE’s Discord server.

The game emphasizes fast-paced action, where players use their paws (and claws) to hit the ball and score goals. In addition to its competitive nature, Clawball features a rich social aspect, allowing players to explore a “playground” lobby, interact with others, and customize their cat personas with various cosmetics like headgear, eyewear, and shirts. New cosmetics will be periodically added, keeping the game fresh and allowing continuous self-expression.

Ana Ribeiro shared her excitement about the project: “Clawball is ARVORE’s first multiplayer VR game, and it combines our love for chaotic multiplayer games with the playful spirit of cats. The idea was sparked by our lead programmer, Joao Machado, who noticed his movements resembled those of a cat while working on the initial prototype. Developing this game has been a joy, and we’re thrilled to share it with the world.”

Clawball is not just about soccer; it’s about creating a fun, immersive experience where players can engage in both competitive matches and social interactions, all while enjoying the unique charm of playing as a cat.

As the official game of the Superbike World Championship, VRIDER SBK offers players the chance to experience the thrill of superbike racing with full-body immersive controls. The game features photorealistic graphics and spatial audio that capture the engine’s roar, the rush of wind, and the intense pace of competition, providing an authentic racing experience.

In VRIDER SBK, players can race on faithfully reproduced tracks from the official championship, challenging some of the best riders in the world. The game offers a variety of modes, from quick races to extensive tournaments, catering to both newcomers and veteran racers. With five superbike models from leading brands like Ducati, BMW, Kawasaki, Honda, and Yamaha, each bike comes with unique attributes, including speed, torque, suspension, braking, and tire grip. This diversity challenges players to master the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

The full version introduces several new features and enhancements, taking the racing experience to new heights. These include advanced rider profiles that cater to different skill levels, from rookies to seasoned pros, offering tailored gameplay experiences with varying levels of assistance and difficulty.

New game modes have also been added. The Online Real-Time Multiplayer mode allows up to six players to compete head-to-head, complete with global leaderboards. The Track Trial Mode focuses on providing timed challenges on different sections of each track, allowing players to master circuits through intense, focused racing.

To further enhance the gameplay experience, VRIDER SBK includes a range of accessibility features, such as auto brake, braking point indicators, traction control levels, and extended sensitivity settings. These features allow players to fine-tune the game’s difficulty and realism to match their preferences, ensuring an engaging experience for all skill levels.

The update also includes visual and sensory enhancements, such as fine-tuned game mechanics, extended sensitivity settings, and optimized circuits that visually enhance the immersion of the game. Additionally, AI tuning has been implemented to make single-player modes more engaging and challenging for players.

In addition to the game’s launch, VRAL Games and Funny Tales have announced that they are working on a groundbreaking handlebar accessory called “T-Torque,” set to revolutionize VR motorcycle racing. This accessory, designed to provide an even more immersive experience, is slated for a December release, with pre-orders opening soon.

VRIDER SBK is now available on the official Meta Quest store. For more information, visit VRAL Games and Funny Tales’ official websites. Players are also invited to join the VRIDER community on Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit for the latest updates and exclusive content.

Players on Meta Quest 3 can now explore the world of Asgard’s Wrath 2 with improved shaders, updated terrain textures, and more detailed structures. These enhancements aim to make the game’s environments feel more lifelike and engaging. Additionally, several character models, including the Egyptian god Anubis, have received updated textures and details, further enhancing the game’s visual appeal.

Alongside these visual upgrades, the update introduces the ‘Smiter Epidemic,’ a free Cosmic Event where players face off against new enemies called Smiters. These creepy-crawly creatures feature muscular legs, human-like eyes, and mouths on their backs, adding a new layer of challenge and horror to the gameplay.

The event also introduces Duat-themed Uncharted Rifts, allowing players to venture into previously unexplored regions of The Duat and battle various monsters. By completing Cosmic Objectives and Conquests, players can earn unique rewards inspired by Egyptian mythology, including the Sobki Armor set, the Ba Walker Skull, and several Smiter-themed cosmetics.

The VR update promises an immersive experience where players can interact with the game in an entirely new way. With full VR controls, players will navigate a vibrant, rhythm-infused world, spinning, flicking, and tapping their way through over 60 tracks. The game offers five difficulty levels, catering to both newcomers and seasoned rhythm game veterans.

In addition to the VR update, the new DLC brings a collection of ten jazzy tracks from renowned artists like L’Indecis, Ian Ewing, and Eli Way. Players can also unlock exclusive wheel and UI skins, adding a personal touch to their gameplay.

Spin Rhythm XD was previously available on Nintendo Switch, Mac, and PC, where it built a following for its challenging rhythm-based mechanics and support for various input methods, including MIDI DJ turntables on PC. With this latest update, the game expands its reach to a broader audience while enhancing the gameplay experience with VR functionality.

The key addition in this update is the “Hunter” class, which equips players with a recurve bow and throwing knives, adding a new dynamic to the game’s combat system. Alongside this, the update brings in “Sunless Keep,” a new procedurally generated battleground that expands the game’s environment. Additionally, players can explore new tarot cards, further enhancing the game’s roguelike mechanics.

For those unfamiliar with The Light Brigade, the game places players in the role of humanity’s last line of defense against an encroaching darkness. The gameplay is a mix of physics-based gunplay and light-powered magic, challenging players to navigate ruins, free trapped souls, and master their abilities to restore the world.

The update reflects well on Funktronic Labs’ commitment to providing ongoing support and enhancements to The Light Brigade, enriching the player experience with new content and improvements.