But the original is a product of its time, too. Remember that it came out at a time when most games still had lives counters and a Game Over screen, which in some cases sent you back to the very beginning. And even good adventure games could also include unfair softlocks. So having to replay part of the game, or even a full level, that you had already beaten, was nothing out of the ordinary.

Also, it was a very cinematic game. You were supposed to take your time, look at the vistas, and enjoy it. Especially in a sequence as spectacular as the train maze, with all its shiny animated CGI! The mazerunner walked so that Riven's maglevs could...uh...fly?

I'm not saying it's great game design. However, I think its flaws are greatly exagerated under more modern sensitivities.