The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript
| The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Kheops Studio |
| Publisher(s) | Tri Synergy |
| Director(s) |
|
| Designer(s) | |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Mac OS X, iOS |
| Release | Windows Mac OS X October 8, 2009 iOS January 27, 2011 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript is an adventure game developed by Kheops Studio and published by Tri Synergy for Windows.[1] In 2009 it was released on the Mac OS X.[2]
Gameplay and plot
[edit]This is an investigatory game set in 1522 at Da Vinci's last home, the Cloux Manor.
Gameplay is standard for 3D first-person adventure games.
Development
[edit]This game was a co-production between Nobilis, Elektrogames, TOTM Studio, Kheops Studio, Mzone Studio, in collaboration with the Clos Lucé.[1] It was the first ever game created about the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci.[3] In September 2005, the project was originally announced as Da Vinci Experience,[4] but this was changed to its current title in January 2006.[5] It came out at a time when the culture was saturated with Da Vinci (including a book, film, and competing video game).[6] Marianne Tostivint believes The Da Vinci Code projects helped get this game be sold to a publisher and financed.[7] A lot of effort was put into making the Clos Lucé as historically accurate as possible.[8] The designers had three key focuses to ensure an optimum player experience: gameplay, ergonomy, and interfaces.[9] In terms of educational goals, the designers wanted to make the game as historically accurate as it was fun to play.[10] Coladia (who owned the publishing rights at this time) announced the release of the title on iOS devices in February 2011.[11]
According to the Agence pour le développement économique de la région lyonnaise (ADERLY), Nobilis planned The Secrets of Da Vinci to be a hit. The publisher reportedly "hope[d] to sell at least 100,000 copies of this game in France and exceed one million units worldwide".[12]
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 69/100[13] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| 4Players | 66%[14] |
| Adventure Gamers |   [15] |
| Computer Games Magazine | [16] |
| Eurogamer | 6/10[17] |
| Gamekult | 6/10[18] |
| GameSpot | 6.5/10[19] |
| GameZone | 6.3/10[20] |
| IGN | 7.1/10[21] |
| Jeuxvideo.com | 16/20[22] |
| MacLife | (Mac) [23] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 80%[24] |
| PopMatters | 6/10[25] |
The PC version received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[13]
IGN concluded that the game was neither difficult nor compelling.[21] GameZone felt the game didn't offer much motivation to the player to solve puzzles and advance the plot.[20] Eurogamer thought it was pleasurable, even if it wasn't particularly groundbreaking.[17] PopMatters felt the game tread to far into the uncanny valley.[25] Jeuxvideo.com noted that the title had replay value due to the different ways in which players can complete puzzles.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ a b GamesIndustry.biz staff (January 19, 2006). "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript (Preview)". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ GamesIndustry.biz staff (October 8, 2009). "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript (Mac Release)". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript Now Available in North American Retail". GameZone. June 7, 2006. Archived from the original on June 15, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Jeuxvideo.com staff (September 29, 2005). "Nobilis expérimente". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on November 29, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Jeuxvideo.com staff (January 17, 2006). "Da Vinci Experience change de nom". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Sluganski, Randy (May 5, 2006). "Hands-On Preview: The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript". Just Adventure. Archived from the original on May 5, 2006. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
- ^ Jeuxvideo.com staff (April 10, 2006). "The Secrets Of Da Vinci : interview de Marianne Tostivint". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ thankeeka (June 7, 2006). "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript (PC) Preview)". Killer Betties. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
- ^ Waxman, Becky (2007). "GameBoomers Talks to Benoit Hozjan of Kheops Studio". GameBoomers. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
- ^ Jeuxvideo.com staff (April 10, 2006). "The Secrets Of Da Vinci : interview Oliver Train". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Seamon, Dave (February 24, 2011). "Coladia announces Secrets of Da Vinci HD for iPad". Indie Game News. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Nobilis". Aderly (in French). February 14, 2006. Archived from the original on July 18, 2019.
- ^ a b "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript (PC)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Naser, Bodo (May 30, 2006). "Test: The Secrets of Da Vinci - Das verbotete Manuskript". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Walter, Johann (June 15, 2006). "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript review". Adventure Gamers. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Review: The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript". Computer Games Magazine. No. 191. theGlobe.com. October 2006. p. 72.
- ^ a b Allen, Darren (May 25, 2006). "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Fouquet, Gaël (June 1, 2006). "Test : Le manuscrit interdit, veni, vidi, Vinci". Gamekult (in French). TF1 Group. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Mueller, Greg (July 28, 2006). "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on August 14, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Reilly, Ken (June 28, 2006). "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript – PC – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 30, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Butts, Steve (June 12, 2006). "[The] Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Superpanda (April 27, 2006). "Test: The Secrets of Da Vinci : Le Manuscrit Interdit". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Ochs, Susie (February 19, 2010). "The Secrets of Da Vinci [The Forbidden Manuscript]". MacLife. Future US. Archived from the original on February 24, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript". PC Gamer. Vol. 13, no. 9. Future US. September 2006. p. 94.
- ^ a b Goodness, Richard (September 25, 2006). "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript". PopMatters. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2018.