Games Like Riven

Welcome to Myst: a starkly beautiful island, eerily tinged with mystery and shrouded in intrigue. Built from the ground up to play in 2D & VR, explore Myst in a whole new dimension! Journey to the Ages, unravel puzzles, and be a part of the surrealistic adventure that will become your own.

Why similar: Puzzle 18%, VR 15.9%, Exploration 14.6%, First-Person 9.5%, Adventure 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: The direct predecessor to Riven, offering the same foundational experience of exploring mysterious, isolated worlds.

A new sci-fi adventure from Cyan, the creators of Myst. Abducted far across the universe, you find yourself on a broken alien landscape with odd pieces of Earth. Explore, uncover, solve, and find a way to make it home.

Why similar: Puzzle 14.6%, VR 12.2%, Mystery 12%, Walking Simulator 11.6%, Exploration 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: Created by the original developers of Myst and Riven, this game features the same signature blend of environmental puzzles and sci-fi mystery.

Firmament is a new puzzle-adventure game by the legendary game studio behind the best-selling games Myst and Riven. Featuring deep storytelling and world-building, discover the story of this seemingly abandoned world as you explore and unlock the mysteries of 3 unique Realms… and beyond!

Why similar: Walking Simulator 14.2%, Mystery 14.1%, VR 14%, Puzzle 12.8%, Exploration 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: Another title from Cyan Worlds that emphasizes high-fidelity world-building and complex mechanical puzzle-solving.

The Talos Principle 2 is a thought-provoking first-person puzzle experience that greatly expands on the first game's philosophical themes and stunning environments with increasingly mind-bending challenges.

Why similar: Philosophical 18.5%, Walking Simulator 13.1%, Puzzle 13.1%, Logic 10.8%, First-Person 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Combines deep philosophical narrative with sophisticated, first-person puzzle mechanics in stunning, atmospheric environments.

Discover the truth about Quern’s past, unfold the mysteries of its present, and be the explorer who shapes its future. Quern introduces reusable puzzle mechanics to the classic genre, making the player think about the game as a whole, and not just as a series of individual challenges.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 12.4%, Investigation 11.6%, Mystery 11.4%, Puzzle 10.4%, Surreal 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: Widely considered one of the best 'Myst-likes,' it perfectly captures the feeling of being stranded on a mysterious island with intricate puzzles.

You wake up, alone, on a strange island full of puzzles that will challenge and surprise you.

Why similar: Puzzle 26.9%, Exploration 14%, First-Person 13.1%, Walking Simulator 12.2%, Philosophical 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a vast, non-linear island filled with interconnected puzzles that reward curiosity and spatial awareness.

The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle game in the tradition of philosophical science fiction. Made by Croteam and written by Tom Jubert (FTL, The Swapper) and Jonas Kyratzes (The Sea Will Claim Everything).

Why similar: Philosophical 25.8%, Puzzle 25.4%, First-Person 12.3%, Story Rich 9.3%, Atmospheric 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: A foundational first-person puzzle game that challenges players with complex logic puzzles and existential themes.

Join Norah, a woman plagued by a mysterious illness, in her search for her missing husband in this adventure puzzle game set on a lush island paradise. Immerse yourself in stunning visuals and unlock forbidden secrets in a moving tale of mystery and love.

Why similar: Puzzle 12.6%, Mystery 10.2%, Investigation 10%, First-Person 9.9%, Walking Simulator 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-driven adventure that captures the atmospheric, island-based mystery aesthetic perfectly.

Lost at sea 1803 ~ The good ship Obra Dinn.

Why similar: Mystery 30.4%, Puzzle 19.9%, Story Rich 13.6%, Atmospheric 11.5%, First-Person 8%

Why You'll Like It: A brilliant deduction game that requires the same level of keen observation and note-taking as Riven.

Rediscover gravity and explore an Escher-esque world of impossible architecture. Witness infinity in first-person and master its rules to solve physics-defying puzzles. Cultivate a garden to open new paths forward, where an eternal expanse awaits.

Why similar: Philosophical 16.1%, Surreal 15.6%, Puzzle 14.3%, First-Person 11.1%, Mystery 10%

Why You'll Like It: Features surreal, perspective-shifting puzzles that challenge your understanding of space and geometry.

Named Game of the Year 2019 by Giant Bomb, Polygon, Eurogamer, and The Guardian, Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning open world mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop.

Why similar: Mystery 21.2%, Exploration 19.8%, Puzzle 14%, Story Rich 13.2%, Atmospheric 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: An unparalleled exploration game where the mystery of the world is uncovered through observation and environmental deduction.

The stage is set. Imagine an old baroque manor, perhaps a hotel or a museum, somewhere in central Europe. A woman wanders in search of answers.

Why similar: Puzzle 30%, Mystery 21.2%, Exploration 17.3%, Adventure 14%, Story Rich 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: A dense, cryptic mystery game that demands deep engagement with its complex, layered puzzle design.

A mysterious invitation leads to the attic of an abandoned house. In the room is a cast-iron safe laced with strange carvings and on top, a note from your distant companion. It promises something ancient and astonishing concealed in the iron chamber - you need only find a way in.

Why similar: Puzzle 45.3%, Mystery 26.8%, Atmospheric 10.6%, Adventure 5.5%, First-Person 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for tactile, mechanical puzzle-box design that feels very similar to interacting with Riven's machinery.

The disappearance of an ambitious engineer and his high-society wife provokes a hunt for a precious artefact. The trail leads you to the attic of their home, and the discovery of an old, peculiar dollhouse. What secrets lie within these walls?

Why similar: Puzzle 33.5%, Mystery 25.6%, Story Rich 7.7%, First-Person 7.7%, Exploration 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: Refines the tactile puzzle experience with a haunting, atmospheric setting and intricate environmental interactions.

Ether One is a first person adventure that deals with the fragility of the human mind. There are two paths in the world you can choose from. At its core is a story exploration path free from puzzles where you can unfold the story at your own pace.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 23.6%, Puzzle 15.7%, First-Person 14.9%, Exploration 13.6%, Adventure 11%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on narrative discovery through environmental interaction and complex, optional puzzle-solving.

INFRA puts you into the boots of a structural analyst on a routine mission. Quickly though, your task turns into a fight for survival, all caused by deep-rooted schemes of the past. Your tools are simple: your camera and the wits to navigate a labyrinth of debris.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.3%, Puzzle 15.9%, Exploration 13.9%, Mystery 12.9%, First-Person 11.9%

Why You'll Like It: A detailed exploration game that uses industrial-themed puzzles to tell a story about infrastructure and decay.

Become an apprentice of the famous Leonardo da Vinci. Solve handcrafted mechanical 3D puzzles and discover hidden secrets. Navigate through mesmerizing environments of the Italian Renaissance. Travel through time to influence your surroundings.

Why similar: Mystery 22.8%, Puzzle 18.3%, Exploration 15.8%, Story Rich 13.4%, Investigation 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: Expands on the mechanical puzzle style with more complex environments and a deeper narrative focus.

Challenge perception, redefine reality, and reshape the world around you with an instant camera. Viewfinder is a new single player game offering gamers hours of interesting and fun experiences while uncovering the mysteries left behind.

Why similar: Surreal 20.2%, Puzzle 18.4%, First-Person 17.1%, Exploration 13.4%, Atmospheric 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: Introduces innovative perspective-based puzzle mechanics that feel like magic within a beautifully realized world.

Enter The House of Da Vinci, a new must-try 3D puzzle adventure game. Solve mechanical puzzles, discover hidden objects, escape from rooms and dive into the authentic atmosphere of the Renaissance. Use all your wits to find out what's behind your master's disappearance.

Why similar: Mystery 22.7%, Puzzle 18.6%, Exploration 13.9%, Atmospheric 10.2%, Investigation 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: Features intricate, mechanical puzzle-box challenges set within a historical, Renaissance-themed environment.

CRYNEGINE Indie Game of 2017. Featuring an incredibly detailed ancient world and a breathtaking soundtrack, Aporia: Beyond the Valley takes open world storytelling to new heights of adventure.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 18.4%, Puzzle 17.8%, Adventure 17.4%, First-Person 12.7%, Atmospheric 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on silent, environmental storytelling and exploration in a mysterious, overgrown world.

You died. Welcome to XING: The Land Beyond, an atmospheric first-person puzzle adventure for desktops and virtual reality. Enjoy your peaceful escape from the chaotic world of the living, and travel the lands of the dead.

Why similar: VR 40.5%, Puzzle 16.2%, Adventure 13.8%, Story Rich 9.5%, Atmospheric 9%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, puzzle-heavy adventure set in a beautiful afterlife that encourages slow, thoughtful exploration.

A land of discovery stretches out before you. Explore the beautiful, rugged world of RiME. Armed with your wits and a will to overcome—and the guidance of a helpful fox—you must explore the enigmatic island, reach the tower's peak, and unlock its closely guarded secrets.

Why similar: Puzzle 25.8%, Exploration 21.4%, Atmospheric 15.6%, Adventure 12.9%, Walking Simulator 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: A beautiful, atmospheric adventure that balances environmental puzzles with a strong emotional core.

Go on a voyage of discovery following the traces of a mysterious culture. Discover diverse landscapes, investigate abandoned artifacts, and wake strange machines from their slumber.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 15.3%, Puzzle 12%, Logic 11.6%, Mystery 10%, Exploration 9%

Why You'll Like It: An exploration-focused puzzle game that tasks players with deciphering ancient technology in a vibrant world.

The Sojourn is a first-person puzzle game set in an immersive colour-drenched world of light and darkness. Think your way through dozens of puzzles as you traverse parallel worlds, awaken mysterious artifacts and overcome challenging obstacles on an unforgettable journey.

Why similar: Philosophical 14.1%, Walking Simulator 10.9%, Puzzle 10.8%, Mystery 10.6%, Surreal 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: A stylized, atmospheric puzzle game that uses light and perspective to create challenging, logic-based obstacles.

Antichamber is a mind-bending psychological exploration game where nothing can be taken for granted. Discover an Escher-like world where hallways wrap around upon each other, spaces reconfigure themselves, and accomplishing the impossible may just be the only way forward.

Why similar: Puzzle 33.5%, Surreal 23.2%, First-Person 19.2%, Exploration 14.2%, Adventure 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: Uses non-Euclidean geometry to force players to rethink their approach to spatial puzzles and navigation.

MIND: Path to Thalamus is a First Person Puzzler that throws you into a fantastic and surreal environment. You will bend the natural elements to your will in order to progress in this emotive, mindbending tale. Now also in Virtual Reality!

Why similar: Walking Simulator 23.6%, Puzzle 17.1%, Surreal 17.1%, First-Person 10.4%, Atmospheric 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: Features surreal, atmospheric puzzles that allow the player to manipulate the environment to progress.

Pneuma: Breath of Life forces you to think outside the box through a narrated story of self-discovery, whilst exploring the ontological mystery of the breath of life. Features award winning voice actor 'Jay Britton' as Pneuma.

Why similar: Puzzle 43.2%, First-Person 32.4%, Adventure 24.3%

Why You'll Like It: A philosophical first-person puzzle game that uses stunning visuals to guide the player through its narrative.

Explore an abandoned building, encountering puzzles and clues to discover what happened, as you try to escape in both your nightmares and the waking world. Be immersed in the hauntingly beautiful 3D atmosphere in this puzzle exploration mystery game.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 18.9%, Puzzle 16.7%, Mystery 14.3%, Exploration 13.8%, Atmospheric 13.2%

Why You'll Like It: A slow-paced, atmospheric exploration game that focuses on uncovering a quiet, personal mystery.

Explore a vast, mysterious castle riddled with secret rooms and challenging puzzles in this award-winning puzzle adventure.

Why similar: Investigation 15.6%, Logic 13.3%, Mystery 13%, Puzzle 12%, First-Person 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a classic adventure experience with intricate environmental puzzles set inside a mysterious, abandoned castle.

Investigate. Interrogate. Descend into a world of intrigue to untangle the Mystery of the Malign.

Why similar: Mystery 18.6%, Investigation 18.1%, Puzzle 14.4%, Exploration 10.9%, Story Rich 10.5%

Released in 1997 as the original sequel to Myst, one of the best-selling puzzle adventure games of all time. Prepare to enter a world "torn asunder" by timeless, unresolved conflicts -- a world of incomparable beauty, intrigue, and betrayal.

Why similar: Puzzle 25.6%, Exploration 16.3%, Adventure 14.7%, Story Rich 10.9%, First-Person 10.5%

Explore a unique and connected world. Understand its fragile balance, uncover its deepest questions, and find more than just the answers.

Why similar: Logic 15.3%, Puzzle 13.4%, Mystery 12.5%, Walking Simulator 11.8%, First-Person 11.1%

Released in 2014, experience one of the first 3D adaptations of the renowned puzzle-adventure game Myst! Each discovery you make, every puzzle you solve, will bring you closer to reversing a wrong that has gone unchecked for ages.

Why similar: Puzzle 22.1%, Mystery 15.9%, Exploration 14%, Adventure 11.9%, First-Person 10.8%

Causal Loop is a narrative puzzler that blends mind-bending mechanics with a rich sci-fi story about time, consequence, and survival. Solve intricate puzzles by using the signature “echo” mechanic to record, replay, and interact with up to three versions of your past self. Can you break the loop?

Why similar: Philosophical 13.5%, Mystery 13.2%, Logic 10.6%, Emotional 9.6%, Puzzle 9%

Haven Moon will transport you to a mysterious world where you have to explore abandoned islands and solve their secrets to find a treasure. In this Myst-like game inspired by Jules Verne’s universe, use your senses and intelligence to find your way through secret passages and curious machinery.

Why similar: Investigation 11.8%, Philosophical 11.5%, Mystery 11.5%, Logic 10.4%, Walking Simulator 10.2%

Journey to the far corners of the Earth and unearth ancient horrors in this Lovecraftian narrative puzzle adventure and sequel to 2020’s critically acclaimed Call of the Sea.

Why similar: Investigation 13.6%, Walking Simulator 11.5%, Mystery 10.7%, Puzzle 10.4%, Logic 9.6%

Step back into a world of thought-provoking puzzles, philosophical intrigue, and breathtaking visuals with The Talos Principle: Reawakened - a first-person puzzle masterpiece for both new players and long-time fans alike.

Why similar: Philosophical 21.3%, Puzzle 13.8%, First-Person 11.7%, Investigation 9.9%, Exploration 9.4%

Faraway is an adventure game, a modern tribute to Myst. In Faraway you're an adventurer exploring ruins of ancient temples full of challenges and mysterious riddles.

Why similar: Puzzle 21.3%, Mystery 19.2%, First-Person 15.8%, Adventure 12.3%, Logic 9%

Enter the lost world of Kairo. Explore vast abandoned monuments. Bring strange and ancient machinery back to life. Slowly uncover the true purpose of Kairo and fulfil a great destiny.Kairo is an atmospheric 3D exploration and puzzle solving game.

Why similar: Puzzle 20%, Exploration 14.7%, Surreal 14.2%, First-Person 11.3%, Atmospheric 9.5%

Explore a beautiful and Enigmatic Victorian Manor with a dark secret, In this gothic horror story first person exploration puzzle game filled with fine art, secret passages and mysterious mechanical puzzles playing as the executor of the last will from the enigmatic Railroad Magnate Hadley Strange.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 14.7%, Mystery 11.4%, Puzzle 10.6%, Exploration 9.6%, Logic 9.2%

The classic Myst experience with point and click controls, released as a remaster to the original in 2000. Enter a world where nothing is as it seems... and adventure knows no bounds!

Why similar: Adventure 20.3%, Puzzle 19.1%, Mystery 12.1%, Surreal 9.8%, Exploration 9.5%

Seek out and solve 10,000+ puzzles at your own pace across this sublime puzzle game.

Why similar: Philosophical 17.6%, Logic 13.4%, Mystery 12.3%, Puzzle 10.6%, First-Person 9.4%

Your adventure continues in Gordian Rooms 2... Explore the Isle of Lye, an isolated testing ground for the Gordian Society’s finest! Uncover the secrets of a grand mansion and its surroundings, get to know its quirky former inhabitants, and challenge your wits.

Why similar: Investigation 13.6%, Puzzle 11.8%, Mystery 10.1%, Exploration 10%, First-Person 9.7%

The iconic supernatural mystery, The 7th Guest, has been brought back to life with cutting-edge VR technology, that delivers an atmospheric story like no other. Explore the foreboding mansion, solve challenging puzzles, and uncover its dark secrets.

Why similar: VR 34.8%, Mystery 19.1%, Puzzle 16.1%, Adventure 11.8%, First-Person 11.6%

The story of Myst continues in this third entry of the series, originally released in 2001. Return to this strange and wondrous universe, where books become portals into worlds, and where the lessons of the past may yet hold meaning for today...

Why similar: Puzzle 20.1%, Mystery 14.1%, Adventure 13.3%, Exploration 12.6%, First-Person 11.5%

A story rich narrative puzzle game in which an artist comes to terms with their grief. Explore an infinitely recursive world of strange fractal beauty and solve mind-bending puzzles. Confront the ineffable and chat with your cat in a search for meaning and hope.

Why similar: Philosophical 13.9%, Puzzle 12.5%, Surreal 11.6%, Exploration 11%, Emotional 9.9%

In this award-winning puzzle adventure game, play as the Traveler on a quest to reunite the Peoples of the Tower. Observe, listen, and decipher ancient languages in a fascinating universe inspired by the Myth of Babel.

Why similar: Puzzle 42.4%, Adventure 13.7%, Atmospheric 10.1%, Mystery 8.8%, Exploration 8.2%

A story-driven, first-person adventure game offering a cinematic experience. Embark on a journey to HaustVille, an abandoned settlement in a post-apocalyptic world. Explore your surroundings and uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of the last survivors.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 17.4%, Mystery 15%, Investigation 14.8%, Exploration 9.5%, Emotional 9.4%

Red Matter is a story-driven VR puzzle adventure game set during a dystopian sci-fi Cold War. Take on the role of Agent Epsilon, an astronaut of the Atlantic Union dispatched to an abandoned Volgravian moon base on a faraway planet. Your mission: to investigate a shady top secret research project.

Why similar: VR 19.2%, Walking Simulator 12.9%, Mystery 12.9%, Puzzle 11.4%, Exploration 9.7%

Lake Ridden is a story-driven, first-person puzzle game! A cozy supernatural adventure where you unravel a mysterious past, trying to find your sister. Luckily, you are not alone...

Why similar: Puzzle 29.2%, Adventure 22.2%, Mystery 18.3%, Walking Simulator 15.5%, Atmospheric 11.7%

From the creators of What Remains of Edith Finch. Enter the surreal world of The Unfinished Swan and explore a mysterious, hidden kingdom by splatting paint to reveal the world around you.

Why similar: Surreal 16.4%, Puzzle 16.2%, Exploration 14.2%, Walking Simulator 12.2%, Mystery 10.5%

In Myst IV: Revelation, the next chapter in the greatest adventure saga of all time, you'll travel through environments pulsing with life to unearth a treacherous scheme involving two of Myst's most sinister villains.

Why similar: Puzzle 22.1%, Adventure 21.6%, First-Person 16.6%, Exploration 16.3%, Atmospheric 12.7%

Welcome to the Museum! Machinika Museum is a mystery game where you discover beautiful and mysterious machines of extra-terrestrial origins in an atmospheric galaxy-spanning 3D puzzle game. Will you be able to understand their stories and discover what happened to their previous owner?

Why similar: Mystery 15.7%, Investigation 15.4%, Puzzle 14.1%, Logic 13%, First-Person 10.1%

Explore an unknown and abandoned world. Each step, each puzzle, brings you closer to discovering the history and secrets of a lost civilization. Can you find the light?

Why similar: Walking Simulator 15.2%, Philosophical 14.1%, Mystery 13.2%, Emotional 10.8%, Investigation 10.2%

Platonic is a first-person puzzle adventure game. Explore five unique worlds. Solve logical challenges. Gather clues and think outside the cube.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 14.3%, Logic 14.3%, Puzzle 11.5%, Philosophical 10.2%, Mystery 10.2%

The British Institute of Archaeology, London, 1908: The disappearance of an esteemed Egyptologist prompts a Police investigation into the unknown. Explore cryptic locations, examine fantastic gadgets and uncover an otherworldly discovery which blurs the line between reality and illusion.

Why similar: VR 28.8%, Puzzle 20.7%, Investigation 15.3%, Adventure 14%, Mystery 13.3%

The grand finale to The House of Da Vinci trilogy is here! Solve numerous new puzzles and mind benders and explore new mystifying locations of ravishing beauty.

Why similar: Investigation 15.7%, Mystery 14%, Puzzle 11.3%, Exploration 9.8%, Story Rich 8.1%

Hitchhiker is a mystery game set along lost highways, where your goal is to solve the puzzle of your own backstory.

Why similar: Philosophical 15.5%, Mystery 14.7%, First-Person 10.9%, Story Rich 10%, Emotional 9.5%

An exploration game about emotional ties that transcend even death. Riley is faced with a headstrong ghost, urging her on an adventure across atmospheric shores, uncovering the island's tragic secret. Choices in dialogue shape the bond between the two, ultimately deciding Riley's fate.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 18.6%, Emotional 13%, Mystery 12.6%, Exploration 12.5%, Story Rich 10.5%