The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript Review

By Darren Allen Published 25 May, 2006

The Real Codex.

Version tested: PC

Dan Brown. Love him or hate him, you've got to admire the skill with which he's managed to write a clutch of successful novels which are practically bloody identical. Take some pathetically simple cryptography, one twist, a lemon - usually the lead character - and a bunch of two-page long chapters and voila, one Brown book. The best-seller of these templates, The Da Vinci Code, has spawned a film, a court case, and now the inevitable computer games, of which this isn't one. Well, it's obviously cashing in on the impending Hollywood blockbuster, but unlike Take-Two's official Da Vinci Code console license, this has absolutely nothing to do with murder in the Louvre.

The Secrets of Da Vinci is an adventure game set in 1522, shortly after the bearded Italian's death. The player is cast in the role of Valdo, the disgraced apprentice of Francesco Melzi, who in turn was a student of the great man. A mysterious benefactor (one day a straightforward benefactor will be born) has employed Valdo to snoop around Da Vinci's old gaff in France, where he hopes to find a secret codex document and get one up on his former master Melzi. The adventure is firmly rooted in history, with the setting, Leonardo's Clos Luce manor, modelled on its real-life counterpart. Actual Da Vinci paintings adorn the walls and the soft, diffused visuals evoke a suitably musty and medieval atmosphere.

Exploring the mansion is handled via a typical click to move system, with a full 360 degrees of mouse-look provided, although bizarrely there's no invert option. Okay, this isn't a first-person shooter and we don't expect the ghost of Leonardo to be turning up, requiring rocketing with a shoulder-mounted scroll launcher, but plenty of gamers are acclimatised to inverted mouse-look.

Optional quibbles aside, The Secrets of Da Vinci is all about the puzzles, of which it contains two types - the standard use item X on object Y" adventure fare and mini-game puzzles. The latter draw heavily from Leonardo's ideas and inventions. To give an example, one task is to build a water pump for a fountain, which is achieved by fitting pieces into place on a schematic diagram. There are plenty of Da Vinci riddles and logic tests which all adds variety above and beyond the usual "How do I get the honey out of the beehive?" conundrums (just tell them they have nice knees, flattery will get you everywhere).

'The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript' Screenshot 1

Inside Leonardo's bedroom. It contained a secret passage his lover used to come through. Ahem.

And even when it comes to the honey grabbing, it's pleasing to see that logic is paramount, as the developers have ensured that the puzzle solutions don't descend into deliberate obscurity. (Oh, so you had to use the diamond studded necklace with the cat and the Catherine wheel to create a distraction for the bees so you can collect the honey with the leather purse!). Sure, there are more abstract moments, but nothing too daft, and progress through the tale occurs at a suitably satisfying rate. If anything, some of the tasks err on the easy side, but rather that than banging your head against a brick wall.

However, the game isn't without issues. The simple context sensitive interface is generally very slick, but it's occasionally finicky when highlighting possible actions or objects. When you do end up stuck, you'll get good odds on the likelihood of having missed some tiny point of interactivity approximately two millimetres in size. It pays to painstakingly search every nook of every screen with the cursor, and you have to keep returning to rooms, as new objects appear throughout the game. This sort of repetitive fine-tooth combing can irritate at times. The inventory system is also a let-down, as it's a sprawling affair with five pages to scroll through - the sheer amount of objects can be quite bewildering, as even during the early stages the player will have accumulated around forty items.

The "innovative" extra (there's always one) in Secrets of Da Vinci is a morality meter, which measures good and evil depending on your actions. Halo wearers won't be able to bring themselves to steal or lie, and nefarious reprobates will lose their distressed damsel aiding privileges; although solving puzzles earns you bonus points which can be spent to alter this standing, so it's a somewhat artificial system. This mechanic isn't brought into play often, but it can alter the path of the story in places, with multiple possible endings to the game.

Although this doesn't exactly break the mould, figuring out Da Vinci's secrets is generally a pleasurable stroll through a variety of well-crafted and largely logical puzzles and mini-games. The lack of psychotic monks and professors of symbology is an added bonus.

6 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
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About Darren Allen

Read more articles from Darren by visiting the Darren Allen archive page.

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Comments (42) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Wrestlevania #1 6 years ago

    So... you 'broke' it, then?

  • coojam #2 6 years ago

    "Inside Leonardo's bedroom. It contained a secret passage his lover used to come through. Ahem."

    Genius.

  • Twinfalls #3 6 years ago

    Your review indicates its a very good adventure game, with only minor 'quibbles'.

    So why does it get just a 6/10 then?
    Edited by 1 at 25/05/06 @ 14:52

  • groovychainsaw #4 6 years ago

    becuase its not doing anything original or exciting? And has minor flaws? Sounds like a solid 6 to me....

  • Twinfalls #5 6 years ago

    "becuase its not doing anything original or exciting? And has minor flaws? Sounds like a solid 6 to me...."

    What, unlike the much more original 'Sin Episodes: Emergence' which is clearly more original and so gets a 7.

    'Its not doing anything original or exciting' isn't mentioned in the review. Alternate endings is definitely unusual these days, if not new.

    Anyway, I guess I'd like the review to articulate a little better just what makes this game one point above average (and average these days would have to be total trash), rather than simply saying its a 'pleasurable stroll'. What is the quality of the historical material for example, since this is more of a feature than thrilling plot mechanics it would seem.

  • Teeth #6 6 years ago

    As soon as you start comparing review scores, especially where those scores are given to games reviewed by different reviewers, and those games are completely different genres, your entire argument falls to pieces.

  • Twinfalls #7 6 years ago

    To you.

    Consistency is a no-no at this site, then?

    If that is the case, than EG could do away with scores altogether. We all know how many people, for whatever reason, will simply scroll down to the score to save time.

    I get the impression that a good, well-made shooter will score higher than 6. Am I wrong? This happens to be good and well-made (from the review, anyway) but it's an adventure.

    A 6 is a 'no-buy', face it.

  • krudster #8 6 years ago

    I own plenty of 6/10 games. Sometimes you love them anyway because of a fondness for the genre, etc.

    6 is not a disgraceful score here, and even 5 is acceptable.

    Shall we just use five stars and be done with it?

  • MrAtheist #9 6 years ago

    Ditch the scores completely.

  • Twinfalls #10 6 years ago

    How about no stars, and no numbers, Krudster?

    6/10 may be all fine and woah 'Edge' magazine, but the reality is that as soon as you use numbers (or stars), a 6/10 will mean 'don't buy it' to those with a passing interest in the game.

    The rating unduly hurts this title (if the review is to be believed). Not exactly what decent, well made adventure gaming is in need of these days.....

  • Twinfalls #11 6 years ago

    Looks like you haven't done much reading yourself recently, either....

  • megastar #12 6 years ago

    twinfall - anyone would think you yourself worked on the game.

  • Twinfalls #13 6 years ago

    I have not. I am simply a fan of adventures, which keep getting pushed aside in favour of shooters etc by the mainstream media.

    This site to its credit is much better than most in that regard, but (on this occasion at least) suffers from some of the biases that make a good adventure game get a mediocre score, and a mediocre shooter get a better score.

  • #14 6 years ago

    Scoring is a real pain in the ass. Reviewing is also purely subjective. However everyone can't try every game, so the reveiw still has merit.
    The content of the review should be informative enough that you can tell what the gaming experience is like, and get from that if the game might be your "cup of tea". Beyond that the score is really just a reflection of the overall impression the game left on that particular reviewer.

    In this case however, after reading it, it does sound like a '7' review. Just reading the conculsion alone: "generally pleasurable" "well-crafted" "largely logical" "added bonus" all say something to me that's above above average.

    Really the score is just an indcicator, and a pretty blunt one at that. The only real merit to scores comes from when you start to have history with a particular body/person who gives marks to games that you understand and agree with (after playing the game for yourself). You build an affinity with the magazine/site/individual where you realise you have the same taste in games and the same gaming standards. Then a score could be all you'll need to know you may like a game.

    If you don't like the score ignore it. It's a done deal, it's not going to change. Simply read the review, and hope it's up to par on informing you about the game to a level sufficient for you to know if you'll like it or not. If you play it and love it then post a reader score, which is displyed right next to the reviewer's anyway. Bump it up that way.
    Or submit a review of your own!
    Edited by 1 at 25/05/06 @ 16:11

  • Wrestlevania #15 6 years ago

    "twinfall - anyone would think you yourself worked on the game."

    Well-reasoned argument = instant conspiracy!

    Really, Twinfall's got a point. And on the strength of this, I'm for binning scores and going with whatever you take away from reading the review; if it sounds like your sort of game, go and buy it and drop the 'scores' prejudice. It's called "personal discernment" and it's an essential adult skill.

    Oh, and full credit to those who've braved admitting that they own "low scoring" games and enjoy them.
    Edited by 1 at 25/05/06 @ 16:13

  • Twinfalls #16 6 years ago

    Jamesphilp, that's well reasoned, but you're missing the point.

    It's not myself that I'm concerned about. Its what the score will do to this game and to adventures (in its small way).

    Consider for example the effect of the score on Metacritic.

    And once again, consider the numbers of people (significant) who simply scroll down and check the score, for whatever reason, without reading through and properly considering the text.
    Edited by 1 at 25/05/06 @ 16:19

  • #17 6 years ago

    Well those guys are idiots.
    And see the Phoenix Wright review - not all "adventure" games are marked down. (Although this review is woefully out of date!)

    TBH it's going to take a lot more than a good score to get FPS fans to play adventure games. Some of those guys are pretty closed-minded about any game that doesn't involve pointing a gun at things and pulling the trigger until it goes "click". (Or "Per-Ching" if you're using the Garand)

    /Wow was that a COD reference inside a Big Lebouski reference? How the hell did I do that?

  • megastar #18 6 years ago

    "Well-reasoned argument = instant conspiracy!"

    Not me, Thats such a big word - I cant even spell it, but i'll try.

    "Conspiracy"

    "G,..E,...T.....B,.....E....N.....T"

    "Conspiracy"

    See, I'm terrible.

  • kangarootoo #19 6 years ago

    "symbology"

    Is that even a real word. I have never heard of it before reading (only a tiny bit, for work reasons would you believe) some of DaVinci Code. Whatever happened to good old symbolism?


    As for the re-emergence of that old "why did you give it X/10" bugbear.

    SSHHHHHHHHHHUUUUTTTT IIIIITTTTT

    No-one cares. No one. If you are able to disagree with the score based on the text, then clearly the text told you what you needed to know, rendering the score mostly pointless (except for those of us who brains seemingly store binary memories).

    For the love of GOD, please will people stop harping on about the bloody scores and get a hobby.

  • ave #20 6 years ago

    "becuase its not doing anything original or exciting? And has minor flaws? Sounds like a solid 6 to me...."
    Oblivion got a 10


    Sorry couldnt help it :(

  • Twinfalls #21 6 years ago

    'No-one cares. No one.'

    Except, it would appear, for you.

    'SSHHHHHHHHHHUUUUTTTT IIIIITTTTT

    For the love of GOD, please will people stop harping on about the bloody scores and get a hobby.'

    And it seems you're the person here in most dire need of a 'hobby'.

    I'm assuming the editors of this site have more intelligence than Mr Kangarootoo, and aren't so cavalier with scores, knowing the effect that score numbers have on Metacritic, Gamerankings, etc.

  • #22 6 years ago

    Although, to his credit:
    If you are able to disagree with the score based on the text, then clearly the text told you what you needed to know, rendering the score mostly pointless
    is entirely true.

    TBH I really couldn't care less what effect a score has on other people. If they're too dumb to bother, then I'm not going to care if they end up playing a crappy game or not playing a good one.
    Edited by 2 at 25/05/06 @ 16:57

  • krudster #23 6 years ago

    Twinfalls, clearly you've not been visiting this site very long if you think a 6 on here is bad. The sooner people like you and the industry at large stop treating anything less than 7 as shit, the better.

  • kangarootoo #24 6 years ago

    @Twinfalls

    Well, you've made me smile there. Especially with your particularly formal tone of address. Mr Kangarootoo, thats great :)

    I take your point about ranking sites, though I never use them myself.

    But I think you are missing MY point. I've got no problem with review scores myself, I have a problem with poeple who continually disagree with them (completely missing the fact that they are essentially subjective in nature.

    I think EG know their own score system perfectly well, and that is really my point. Everytime someone pipes up with a "doesn't read like a 6/10 to me" an EG staffer refers to their scoring policy, showing that the score is perfectly in line with it. But people never learn, and tread the same path the next time they read a score they think doesn't match up with the written copy.

    I simply tire of it. And I was kind of comedy venting with my uppercase abuse, but I realise that sort of thing isn't that clear to people who aren't very familiar with my writing style (which you may be, but probably not in the future as I'm probably hoving toward your ignore list :) )

  • Teeth #25 6 years ago

    I agree with no scores, but if you're gonna take the scores seriously you're... you're taking things too seriously. Read the review, base your purchaing decision on that. It's what everyone should be doing.

  • kangarootoo #26 6 years ago

    Thats the problem I have with ranking sites. last time I checked there was no regulatory body governing review scores, so who is to say what 6/10 actually means when thrown out into the big wide world?

    Personally I think EGs policy is spot on. I could rant for ages about the overuse of "8/10 for a normal solid game", "AAA title" and "5 stars out of 5" (but then I am quite skilled at ranting, practice makes perfect I say).

  • Teeth #27 6 years ago

    So many people use review scores that it'd conceivably be bad for business to give them up.

  • Twinfalls #28 6 years ago

    @Krudster (and others, many of whom keep missing the point):

    It's the *sales* of the games that are hurt here. Little games with no hype-machines (granted however this one is a bit unusual in that regard!) behind them like adventures are hurt the most by low scores. Please be realistic here. A '6' is a 'do not buy' in todays gaming media.

    You're also ignoring the other main point. The score does not fit the review. Either the score is too low, or the review fails to articulate why it gets a lower score than something like Sin Episodes (keeping in mind this is an adventure and therefore can't be TEH SHOOTING FUN)

    edit: and NO I do not mean it should mention that game specifically, I mean there is no articulation of why this game is barely above 'average' (and btw have you really considered what 'average' really means by the standards of gaming today - complete garbage, perhaps?)

    And how about doing away with scores altogether? For what reason are they kept on this site, Krudster?
    Edited by 1 at 25/05/06 @ 17:27

  • Teeth #29 6 years ago

    Is it better to be a sheep, and do what everyone else does, or make a stand and do what is right?

  • kangarootoo #30 6 years ago

    @Twinfalls

    "and others, many of whom keep missing the point"

    As Teeth says, we're not "missing the point", we just have a different point in mind and a different set of priorities.

    If falling in line with the rest of the "all news is good news" media means that EG need to start scoring all good games between 8 and 10, the rest of the media can kiss my butt.

    "Either the score is too low, or the review fails to articulate why it gets a lower score than something like Sin Episodes"

    Oh ffs!! We are talking about a SINGLE point of difference here between reviews written by DIFFERENT PEOPLE. Can you really not embrace subjectivity to such a degree that you are going to complain that EG is not staffed entirely be identical twins (that have been subjected to extreme personality conditioning)?

    "And how about doing away with scores altogether?"

    I'd be fine with that, but I would imagine for many it would be heresy and we would have to suffer even more comment thread nonsense on the subject than we currently do.

  • Bertie Verified Senior Staff Writer, Eurogamer.net #31 6 years ago

    I like the scores, they're like mini-reviews

  • kangarootoo #32 6 years ago

    Lest keep the scores then, just for Bertie...

    so long as he promises never to read gamerankings :)

  • Twinfalls #33 6 years ago

    You see, going by 'your own scale' for scoring, is just a bit pointless.

    Why have a score if you are not choosing numbers which fit into the existing framework? You may think you're 'keeping it real', but are you really? It may be good to be iconoclastic with big dumb hyped-up shooters and give them an (gasp!) 8, but when it comes to adventures, you're just damaging them by giving out the 'do not buy' number 6. Face it, that's what it is.

    I just cannot help but feel the game got a 6, whereas if it was made with the same attention to detail and quality, but was a shooter, it would have rated more highly. The reviewer comes across as being rather 'meh' when it comes to adventures. He even suggests the lack of mouse-invert is 'bizarre' (in an *adventure*?? How many other adventures have this feature?!?!).

    Edit: @kangarootoo: I clarified that point about the comparison with the score for Sin, (surely you read this?) in the same post because I figured somebody would jump on it....
    Edited by 2 at 25/05/06 @ 17:50

  • groovychainsaw #34 6 years ago

    Scores are just helpful, I think. You could read a review which only picks at the niggly bits of what is otherwise a good game (such as a review for a sequel), and come away with the impression its not so good. If it scores 8/10 it gives you a modifier which you can apply to the review. And if you like adventure games, you are more likely to enjoy an 'above average' adventure game than somebody who is a hardcore shooter nut anyway, yeah? The score I guess is aimed at the 'average' gamer.

  • Bru-Man #35 6 years ago

    I think we should return to the good old "fruit scoring system". No-one can argue with it.
    To that end:

    "The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript:
    Although this doesn't exactly break the mould, figuring out Da Vinci's secrets is generally a pleasurable stroll through a variety of well-crafted and largely logical puzzles and mini-games. The lack of psychotic monks and professors of symbology is an added bonus.

    Mmmm, MANGO!"

  • Wrestlevania #36 6 years ago

    Mango--are you insane?! It's at least a guava...

  • Markusdragon #37 6 years ago

    above and beyond the usual "How do I get the honey out of the beehive?" conundrums

    Protect Rincewind's face with the material cut from the petticoat in Mrs. Cake's shop, and use the matches on the incense sticks, then use the stick on the hives.

    Oh sorry, I was just dreaming of decent adventure games while reading about this mediocre one :(.

  • lambtron #38 6 years ago

    "The sooner people like you and the industry at large stop treating anything less than 7 as shit, the better."

    I do kind of hate the scores myself. And I do think that perhaps Twinfalls has a point - thanks to publications like OPM where even an abomination like Teh Getaway (one of the most broken games I've ever played and felt like a waste of money even at 4 quid) gets a 9 well 7 does scream below par. And the problem is that "below par" games suck. I mean they really do. To the point where you play them it feels more like work than fun. Meh I dunno. But I do think there is some weight to this argument that you read the text and think "sounds pretty good" and then you see the number. And then you think well Teh Getaway got nine. This must be worse than that. Avoid. Maybe I am just not enough of a free-thinker.

  • BremXJones #39 6 years ago

    "You see, going by 'your own scale' for scoring, is just a bit pointless. "

    No it's not. Your scores are only ever for your readers. If your readers understand your methodology, the world can go screw itself.

    KG

  • Mr_Whacker #40 6 years ago

    I try to ignore the scores and anything that sounds like opinion. There's still more than enough info to make a decision. Is it a setting I like? Do the mechanics work well? What other features can I expect. After that the subjective stuff is nice but has nothing to do with whether I get the game or not. So go ahead and call my favouritte game a 2 I you like. I'll still be playing it.

    And I bet Da Vinci is doing more revs than an F1 car in his grave with all this crap in his name. St John was a woman? Its the rennaisance - they all look like girls. He just painted some with beards.

  • Mr_Whacker #41 6 years ago

    Actually sod that, I vote for the fruit. This game sounds like 2 apples and a banana to me. (Only a joke Twinfalls!)

  • #42 6 years ago

    A couple of melons with no "banana and 2 plums" to be seen is what I recon.