Riven

48 Games like Riven that you should try

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Riven is hard to replace: few games combine puzzle design, strong narrative focus and fantasy world in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 11 gameplay attributes and found 48 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. A Building Full of Cats, Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds and Myst III: Exile lead the list, with A Building Full of Cats reaching a 96/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Riven special.

iRank88/ 100

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GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

Tags

NarrativeCasualSolo

Year 2024Dev Cyan Worlds

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗PS ↗

Quick answer

The closest game to Riven is A Building Full of Cats — scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds and Myst III: Exile follow close behind.

#1A Building Full of Cats96 #2Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds95 #3Myst III: Exile95 #4Spy Fox in "Dry Cereal"95 #5Bejeweled 2 Deluxe95

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Games like Riven

48 similar games found

#1A Building Full of Cats

96

iRank99

A Building Full of Cats

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloCasualRelaxingNarrativeExploration

Steam👍 99%· 4.4K

Year 2022Dev DevcatsPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Linux

✓ Like Riven, it's known for puzzle design, adventure storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Where it differs: brings cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping fantasy world

#2Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds

95

iRank95

Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloNarrativeCasual2D

Steam👍 97%· 723RAWG👍 93%· 41

Year 1994Dev Humongous Entertainment · Nightdive StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Android · Apple Macintosh

✓ Shared with Riven: puzzle design, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings visual 2d, while skipping vibe relaxing

#3Myst III: Exile

95

iRank93

Myst III: Exile

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloCasualNarrativeFantasySci-FiExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 93%· 528

Year 2001Dev Presto Studios · Cyan WorldsOn PC · Mac

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, adventure storytelling and vibe casual.

≠ Missing: vibe relaxing.

#4Spy Fox in "Dry Cereal"

95

iRank95

Spy Fox in "Dry Cereal"

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloNarrativeCasual2D

Steam👍 95%· 698

Year 1997Dev Humongous Entertainment · Nightdive StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Like Riven, it's known for puzzle design, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with visual 2d, while skipping vibe relaxing

#5Bejeweled 2 Deluxe

95

iRank95

Bejeweled 2 Deluxe

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloCasualRelaxing2D

Steam👍 95%· 742

Year 2006Dev PopCap GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Shared with Riven: puzzle design, vibe casual and vibe relaxing

≠ Stands apart with visual 2d, while skipping adventure storytelling

#6Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside

95

iRank95

Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloNarrativeCasualIsometric2D

Steam👍 98%· 1.3KRAWG👍 90%· 30

Year 1996Dev Humongous Entertainment · Nightdive StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Like Riven, it's known for puzzle design, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: visual isometric and visual 2d, while skipping vibe relaxing

95

iRank90

Bejeweled 3

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloCasualRelaxingRanged

Steam👍 96%· 7.9KIGDB78· 6

Year 2010Dev PopCap GamesOn PC · Mac

✓ Shared with Riven: puzzle design, adventure storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy and ranged combat, while skipping strong narrative focus

#8Zen of Sudoku

95

iRank90

Zen of Sudoku

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloCasualRelaxingFree to Play

Steam👍 90%· 366

Year 2006Dev Unknown Worlds EntertainmentPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Like Riven, it's known for puzzle design, vibe casual and vibe relaxing

≠ Its own twist: free to play, while skipping adventure storytelling

#9Nancy Drew: The Deadly Device

95

iRank91

Nancy Drew: The Deadly Device

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloNarrativeCasualExploration

Steam👍 91%· 92

Year 2012Dev HeR InteractivePlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus.

≠ Missing: vibe relaxing.

#10Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand

95

iRank89

Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloNarrativeCasualExplorationLinear

Steam👍 89%· 199

Year 2002Dev HeR InteractivePlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ If you enjoyed Riven, expect puzzle design, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with linear, story-driven structure, while skipping vibe relaxing

#11Hidden Folks

96

iRank87

Hidden Folks

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloCasualNarrativeRelaxingCozy

Steam👍 97%· 9.5KIGDB80· 4OC73· 12

Year 2017Dev Adriaan de JonghOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Riven, expect puzzle design, adventure storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Its own twist: cozy, relaxing feel, visual isometric and visual 2d, while skipping fantasy world

#12Nancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon

95

iRank89

Nancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloNarrativeCasualExploration

Steam👍 96%· 397RAWG👍 86%· 22MC77

Year 2005Dev HeR InteractivePlaytime ~5hOn PC

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus.

≠ Missing: vibe relaxing.

#13The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

94

iRank92

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB92· 6

Year 2011Dev Grezzo · Nintendo

✓ Like Riven, it's known for puzzle design, adventure storytelling and fantasy world

≠ Where it differs: brings visual third person, while skipping strong narrative focus

#14The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

94

iRank92

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloFantasyIsometric

IGDB92· 3

Year 2009Dev Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.3 · Nintendo

✓ If you enjoyed Riven, expect puzzle design, adventure storytelling and fantasy world

≠ Its own twist: visual isometric, while skipping strong narrative focus

#15Nancy Drew: Legend of the Crystal Skull

95

iRank87

Nancy Drew: Legend of the Crystal Skull

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloNarrativeCasualExploration

Steam👍 91%· 213MC79

Year 2007Dev HeR InteractivePlaytime ~7hOn PC

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus.

≠ Missing: vibe relaxing.

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Mystery P.I. - The Vegas Heist

Puzzle · Adventure

Last Day of June

Last Day of June

Puzzle · Adventure

80 Days

80 Days

Puzzle · Adventure

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Puzzle · Adventure

Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice

Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice

Puzzle · Adventure

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Puzzle · Adventure

Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake

Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake

Puzzle · Adventure

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A Little to the Left

Puzzle

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Riven?: The closest game to Riven is A Building Full of Cats, scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including puzzle design, adventure storytelling and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Riven?: The three closest games to Riven are: 1. A Building Full of Cats (96/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds (95/100, 5 shared attributes) 3. Myst III: Exile (95/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Riven's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 48 candidates across 11 dimensions.
Is Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds similar to Riven?: Yes, very much so — Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds scores 95/100 similarity to Riven. They share 5 attributes, including puzzle design and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Puzzle games are similar to Riven?: The best Puzzle games similar to Riven are A Building Full of Cats, Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds, Myst III: Exile and Spy Fox in "Dry Cereal". All share the Puzzle genre alongside other key Riven attributes like puzzle design, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Riven calculated?: We compare Riven against every game in our catalog using 11 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Riven experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.