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austinstorm's review
5.0
I re-read this in anticipation of Cyan's forthcoming new game, 'Obduction'.
An extended 'Making of' piece with lavish illustrations. Richard Kadrey was a great choice, he writes with the enthusiasm of liner copy from a vinyl record sleeve. It doesn't feel hyperbolic because Riven was a watershed moment. Everything in that game - puzzles, environment, art - served narrative and world-building.
This is perhaps my second-favorite book about the rise of 'CD-ROM' scale games, after a Dorling Kindersley book whose name escapes me.
An extended 'Making of' piece with lavish illustrations. Richard Kadrey was a great choice, he writes with the enthusiasm of liner copy from a vinyl record sleeve. It doesn't feel hyperbolic because Riven was a watershed moment. Everything in that game - puzzles, environment, art - served narrative and world-building.
This is perhaps my second-favorite book about the rise of 'CD-ROM' scale games, after a Dorling Kindersley book whose name escapes me.
ohnoitscoco's review
5.0
Wow! Since several Myst sequels have come out by now, this book is rather dated. But Myst and Riven set the bar for a lot of games at the time, so it's almost like video game history. I love the story and culture of the D'ni plus I'm a graphic design buff--this book is perfect for me. Very interesting! (July 2009)
val_halla's review
4.0
A beautiful documentary of the development of Riven, mostly, with a few comments on Myst. Mostly I loved the gorgeous, full-page screenshots and the concept sketches throughout.
mayhap's review
4.0
The art in this book is, of course, gorgeous. The text mostly covers the tech involved in rendering Riven, which it was released in conjunction with, with some sidelights on Myst and other aspects of the Riven creative process.
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