Riven

Some games reward reflexes, others reward thinking. The sequel to Myst sits firmly in that second category, surpassing its preceding puzzle game with noticeable improvements in graphics, immersion, and story. Riven goes against almost anything on the market right now. It's not a fast game of cheap thrills, but a plodding, difficult one. Your quest is to find a friend's wife and free her, but there are many trials along the way. There is no handholding in the world of Riven. You are thrown in with little information and it's up to you to work out your purpose, where to go, and how to get past various puzzles. Except those puzzles aren't thrown in your face with flashing outlines or tooltips. They blend seamlessly into the environment, making it a real struggle at times.  You will spend hours looking for a solution to one tiny trial, only for it to be right in front of you the whole time. It takes a certain type of person to stomach that frustration, but Riven's slow nature and shroud of mystery make it a peaceful joy to play.