Publisher: Ubisoft Producers: Cyan Counsels: PC and PS ESRB Rating: E

Content-43

-People killing people in cold blooded murder (Ex. Grand Theft Auto 3) (-5 pts) (You can get murdered in the game, but cannot murder.) -No Blood (-0 pts) -No Gore (-0 pts) -Minor Swear Words are used once or twice (-2 pts) (D**n is written in one of the journals. -No sexual dialogue. (-0 pts) -No Nudity (-0 pts) -No Sexual Content (-0 pts) -There is no occult or supernatural environment in the game. (-0 pts) -There is no occult or supernatural in the game. (-0 pts) -No authority issues involved with this game. (-0 pts) -No prejudicial bias in the game. (-0 pts) -No gross humor in the game. (-0 pts) -Good value decision making is required to progress in the game. (-0 pts)

Game-46

Gameplay-18

The gameplay is basically a point and click interface. You point where you want to go, and click. This one is all like a slideshow (Which means its all 1st person.). You just go to the edge of the screen, click, and your facing a different direction. Also there are a few books that you can carry around that you select by going to the bottom of the screen and clicking them. To progress through the game you must solve puzzles. You spend the game in two ages (or worlds.), Riven (or ?Age 5? as it?s creator coldly called it.), and Tay. Riven is an age written by Ghen, the father of Atrus. Some people called the Moiety revolt against Ghen who happens to be a rather tyrannical character. Catherine, the wife of Atrus, is tricked into going to Riven. While she is trapped there, she writes Tay, which becomes the home of the Moiety. You part in the story is to capture Ghen, and to save Catherine. There are multiple endings, but only one ends in you accomplishing you mission, all the others are endings in which you fail you mission (Some of which are rather humorous!). All in all the gameplay is easy, simple, and smooth, but this game is a slow paced game, if you go to fast, your going to miss all the solutions to the problem.

Graphics-8

They are just mind boggling considering when they were done. They still look great by today standards. There are a few things that take away from the realism, but it still looks great! They used real actors. There are some unique creatures, but they all look real. Also the water in the game is very well done considering the times.

Sound/Music-10

The sound is great! It is done by Tim Larkin, the same guy who did the music for Uru. There is plenty of background noise, and noises that sound like they came from a different world. There is plenty of ambiance noises. The music is great! It has a unique feel that is difficult to explain. Once again it is done by Robyn Miller. It still has that eerie feel from Myst, but it has a little more of a theatrical feel. The music isn?t very catching, but it is extremely well done.

Stability-5

I didn?t find any bugs in this game, neither did I find anyone having trouble with this game. If you buy this game, get the DVD version (If you have a DVD player on your computer.).

Controls/Interface-5

As I said in gameplay, the controls are very simple. All you have to use is your mouse. The menu is rather simple, all it has is a load game, new game, and quit.

Bonus Points-+6

- This game shows the consequences of evil and/or messing with the occult. (+3 pts) (This games shows that evil leadership will result in revolting.) - The story in this game delivers a good moral lesson. (+3 pts)