Editing Riven (section)

==Gameplay==
Like its predecessor, ''Riven'' is a [[point-and-click]] adventure game played from a [[first-person narrative|first-person]] perspective. The player explores immersive environments depicted through a large series of [[computer-generated imagery|computer generated]] stills, using [[mouse (computing)|mouse]] clicks for movement or to manipulate objects within reach.<ref name="play">{{cite book|title=Riven: The Sequel to Myst - User's Manual|publisher=[[Brøderbund]]|author=[[Cyan Worlds|Cyan]]|year=1997|edition=[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] version|pages=9–10|series="Playing the Game"}}</ref> By operating mechanical contraptions and [[cryptanalysis|deciphering]] codes and symbols discovered in the surroundings, the vaguely explained goal can eventually be reached.<ref name="nyt-personal computers">{{cite news|author=Maines, Stephen|date=1997-11-04|url=<!--http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE2DF1230F937A35752C1A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all-->|title=Riven Picks Up Where Best-Selling Myst Left Off|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

To navigate the world, the player simply clicks in the direction they want to walk or turn. The [[Cursor (computers)|cursor]] changes in appearance, depending on its position on the [[Display device|screen]] and what it is hovering over, to show what effect clicking will have.<ref name="play"/>  For instance, if the player positions the cursor hand near the side of the screen, it may show a pointing finger, indicating that clicking will turn the view in that direction.<ref name="play"/> The cursor also changes in context to show when players can drag or toggle switches, or when certain [[Item (game)#Items in adventure games|item]]s can be picked up and carried.<ref name="play2">{{cite book|title=Riven: The Sequel to Myst - User's Manual|publisher=[[Brøderbund]]|author=[[Cyan Worlds|Cyan]]|year=1997|edition=[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] version|pages=11–12|series="Manipulating Objects"}}</ref> Such items can then be examined at any time,<ref name="play2"/><ref name="gamespot preview"/> and either reveal clues to puzzles or provide information on the game's setting and story.  Like ''Myst'', ''Riven'' has an optional method of navigation known as ''Zip Mode'', which allows players to skip to areas already explored, but may cause them to miss important clues.<ref name="play"/> 

Whereas in ''Myst'' the objective of the game is to travel to different Ages to solve puzzles before returning to a "hub Age", ''Riven''{{'}}s gameplay takes place on the five islands of the Age of Riven. Much of it consists of solving puzzles to access new areas of the islands, though players are also able to explore without fulfilling objectives.<ref name="gamespot preview"/> Many puzzles' sole purpose is to advance the backstory.<ref name="making of riven"/>