Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript

Rating ESRB: Teen Genre adventure Publisher Nobilis External Links Official Tri Sunergy Website

Francesco Melzi, disciple of Leonardo da Vinci, was given an instruction by an unknown patron to search Le Chateau du Close Luce in France, which was the last known residence of Leonardo. It's where he spent the last three years of his natural life finishing up his main paintings and inventions. Could there have been something more -something held between Leonardo da Vinci and the King of France? This mysterious patron has reason to believe that Leonardo has hidden several unpublished notes, chief among them a codex rumored to contain some of his greatest secrets and innovations. Melzi mysteriously passes the duty off on Voldo, his young apprentice, who may have to win over the charms of Madam Babou. As somewhat of an aficionado on Leonardo, she may have the keys to the mystery.

The incredible cooperation of the real Chateau du Clos Luce has paved the way for some stunning visuals. The textures are virtually seamless for both the indoor and outdoor sets. Navigation between areas is simple, just not very fluid. Smoother transitions would have been a wonderful addition. Even the cuts from the game to the cinematic sequences are a bit sudden, so there is a bit of loss there. The other drawback is the lack of a full musical score. The dynamic graphics almost beg for a wider variety of musical accompaniment. Sadly, it's very base. The music is composed well and played thoughtfully, but there's just not enough of it to cover the entire game. Most of it is endlessly looped and area-specific.

Fans of the Myst series will be vaguely familiar with the interface used. What may be unfamiliar is the need to pinpoint the exact spot with your cursor in order to solve a puzzle that is crucial to the continuation of the overall game. At times, you will have to collect endless random items, while other situations find you solving puzzles that have surprisingly simple solutions, but a complete lack of clarity and direction in key puzzle-solving areas. It's as if you pick up a towel, some lint and a rusty screw before being presented with a puzzle that forces you to determine the age, order and color of a homeless person's socks. The puzzles are clever, but rather random and do not seem to offer the challenge that players of these games hunger for. It can seem like more of an interactive story where the player is guided by the hand for the first half of the tour, then abandoned without warning to fend for themselves in a different museum.

The Secrets of Da Vinci is compelling enough to continue playing to the end, while being random enough to confuse and annoy even the most veteran gamer. It has a fantastic concept combined with excellent sights, but mediocre overall execution. It is definitely the PC gaming equivalent of a "Murder, She Wrote" episode: great sets and good writing - but iffy acting.