From someone who is familiar with #2 (Riven), I think the accusation is horseshit. Catherine (the supposed helpless damsel in distress) has been taken hostage because she rallied the native Rivenese to rebel against Gehn. She's a political revolutionary.
Gehn (the villain) embraces the godlike white savior image towards the native people to oppress them under his rule. He presents himself as a deity with incredible powers because he can sort of write books that link to other universes. He has gained loyal allies that have helped him subjugate the Rivenese. Gehn however despite his Wizard of Oz act is nothing of the sort and is in fact trapped in Riven and the one age he barely managed to write a successful book to.
Atrus (Husband of Cathrine and son of Gehn), is a masterful dni writer is actually actively repairing the failing Riven age while you work to rescue his wife and capture Gehn.
I never got the impression that she was a helpless person anymore than anyone else in her situation. She isn't a dumb pretty girl that begs the heroic player character for help. She isn't even a love interest that is dangled in front of the main character like a piece of meat or a prize to be won. She's depicted as a cunning person when you meet her, and she helps you with information for you mission. You can even complete the game without saving her, though it is one of the many bad endings.
Riven is one of my favorite games ever and the only thing that it has in common with the damsel in distress trope is the fact that its a woman being held captive by a man.
From someone who is familiar with #2 (Riven), I think the accusation is horseshit. Catherine (the supposed helpless damsel in distress) has been taken hostage because she rallied the native Rivenese to rebel against Gehn. She's a political revolutionary.
Gehn (the villain) embraces the godlike white savior image towards the native people to oppress them under his rule. He presents himself as a deity with incredible powers because he can sort of write books that link to other universes. He has gained loyal allies that have helped him subjugate the Rivenese. Gehn however despite his Wizard of Oz act is nothing of the sort and is in fact trapped in Riven and the one age he barely managed to write a successful book to.
Atrus (Husband of Cathrine and son of Gehn), is a masterful dni writer is actually actively repairing the failing Riven age while you work to rescue his wife and capture Gehn.
I never got the impression that she was a helpless person anymore than anyone else in her situation. She isn't a dumb pretty girl that begs the heroic player character for help. She isn't even a love interest that is dangled in front of the main character like a piece of meat or a prize to be won. She's depicted as a cunning person when you meet her, and she helps you with information for you mission. You can even complete the game without saving her, though it is one of the many bad endings.
Riven is one of my favorite games ever and the only thing that it has in common with the damsel in distress trope is the fact that its a woman being held captive by a man.