The best thing about Myst is that it requires thinking skills and logic to solve. You can't "guess" your way through the puzzles like in Legend of Zelda. Either you use a guide or your mind.
Also, a notebook to write down clues and important pieces of information is key, if you don't you'll have to find it again. Backtracking in Riven takes a long time, especially since the game is non-linear. Good thing the game is as pretty as it is fun.