I enjoyed Riven more than Myst. Riven was more difficult than Myst, for me, but I still only needed two hints to complete Riven. I would highly recommend Riven to adventure gamers. It really has set a new standard for the genre. Haven't played Exile yet, but I wanted to complete Riven before moving on to #3. What these Cyan games possess - far above any other adventure games I've played - are smart, subtle story lines that really keep your attention. How refreshing to play a game that respects the player's intelligence and sense of inquisitiveness and adventure. I know I'm hooked when I think about a game throughout my day. Riven does become your world. Finally, like Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings,' the Myst games possess subtle yet compelling Christian symbols - a spiritually fulfilling experience.