Secrets of DaVinci: The Forbidden Manuscript

[wilco]

Haven't seen a thread about it and I'm interested because it's from Kheops.

Anyway, the first review i've seen is from Eurogamer:
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=65115

I'ts slightly positive, but doesn't really explain much about the game.

Anyone played it already? Thoughts?
What is the morality system that they talk about in the review?

[fov]

Err... why is the opening paragraph all about Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code when this game has nothing to do with them? :crazy:

We will have our E3 preview of Secrets of Da Vinci up in the next couple days.

[Dale Baldwin]

Err... why is the opening paragraph all about Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code when this game has nothing to do with them? :crazy:
To say just that, I guess, though it could have been done much more succintly.

[wilco]

Err... why is the opening paragraph all about Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code when this game has nothing to do with them? :crazy:


Agreed. It just looks like a way of squeezing the fact that he doesn't like Dan Brown into the review.
Instead, he should have focused in the game...

[insane_cobra]

Maybe because it tries to ride on the wave of Da Vinci Code's popularity? Don't say it ain't so.

And, of course, to say it's not based on Da Vinci Code, in case some people are wondering.

[Kolzig]

So, I've seen this game on the shelves here in England. Is it any good?

[fov]

Don't say it ain't so.

It ain't so.

At least, having met personally with the developer to see this game twice now, that's not the impression I got.

[insane_cobra]

So them coming up with a game involving Da Vinci's secrets after Da Vinci Code became a huge bestseller is a pure coincidence? Could be...

[Jackal]

I can see where the popularity of the book may have inspired it, but not in a rip-off sort of way. More of a "never mind the pop culture stuff, the real Leonardo is so much more interesting" kinda deal. But it's not like they just threw the game together in a couple months to ride the coattails of the movie. The fact that there are two Da Vinci games out may actually hurt this one, as lots of people are already confused or think it's somehow the same game.

That opening paragraph of the review is terribly misleading. Many people don't read, they skim. As soon as they realize the paragraph is all about DVC, they may skip past the rest and completely miss the line saying everything they just read is irrelevant.

[AFGNCAAP]

So them coming up with a game involving Da Vinci's secrets after Da Vinci Code became a huge bestseller is a pure coincidence? Could be...
Um... Brown's book doesn't even deal that much with Da Vinci, despite its title. I'd understand criticising Broken Sword 4 or Belief and Betrayal ("...investigation into the murder of his uncle sets him on the dangerous trail of a church conspiracy that leads back to the day Judas received a reward for his betrayal of Jesus." (http://www.adventuregamers.com/newsitem.php?id=1213) :shifty: ) for jumping the bandwagon here, not this.

And I don't know about you, but I found the personality of Leonardo pretty fascinating long before Da Vinci Code was published. It's terribly unfair to accuse a game that is inspired by his actual work of ripping off a piece of pop-corn literature. How long should have Kheops waited with releasing it to not make it look like they are "riding on the wave" to you?

More on topic, I'm hoping to have the game on Monday. :)

[insane_cobra]

That opening paragraph of the review is terribly misleading. Many people don't read, they skim. As soon as they realize the paragraph is all about DVC, they may skip past the rest and completely miss the line saying everything they just read is irrelevant. Not more misleading than the game title itself.

[Kurufinwe]

The fact that there are two Da Vinci games out may actually hurt this one, as lots of people are already confused or think it's somehow the same game.
I don't know who came up with the title, but that was an awful decision. It confuses people, and indeed gives the impression that the game is just a cheap attempt at riding on the book/movie's popularity. And referring to Leonardo as 'Da Vinci' (something which is not done within the game) gives the impression they don't know what they're talking about, which kind of defeats the purpose of trying to tell people that they partnered with the Leonardo museum, etc. It's a very good game, which has nothing to do with Dan Brown's conspiracy theories, and this ridiculous title is really doing it a disservice. :frusty:

[insane_cobra]

Um... Brown's book doesn't even deal that much with Da Vinci, despite its title. I'd understand criticising Broken Sword 4 or Belief and Betrayal ("...investigation into the murder of his uncle sets him on the dangerous trail of a church conspiracy that leads back to the day Judas received a reward for his betrayal of Jesus." (http://www.adventuregamers.com/newsitem.php?id=1213) :shifty: ) for jumping the bandwagon here, not this.

And I don't know about you, but I found the personality of Leonardo pretty fascinating long before Da Vinci Code was published. It's terribly unfair to accuse a game that is inspired by his actual work is of ripping off a piece of pop-corn literature. How long should have Kheops waited with releasing it to not make it look like they are "riding on the wave" to you? Hey, I don't know, I'm just telling you what I read on Adventure Gamers. :P

No doubt inspired by Dan Brown's popular novel, The DaVinci Code, five companies, namely Nobilis, Elektrogames, Totem Studio, Kheops Studio and Mzone Studio, have announced their partnership in making DaVinci Experience. Nobilis holds the worldwide publishing rights for the game.

Although not an adaptation of Dan Brown's bestselling The Da Vinci Code, the game will deal with similar subject matter as the player puzzles through enigmas hidden in Leonardo Da Vinci's work.

[Panthera]

Um... Brown's book doesn't even deal that much with Da Vinci, despite its title. I'd understand criticising Broken Sword 4 or Belief and Betrayal ("...investigation into the murder of his uncle sets him on the dangerous trail of a church conspiracy that leads back to the day Judas received a reward for his betrayal of Jesus." (http://www.adventuregamers.com/newsitem.php?id=1213) :shifty: ) for jumping the bandwagon here, not this.

And I don't know about you, but I found the personality of Leonardo pretty fascinating long before Da Vinci Code was published. It's terribly unfair to accuse a game that is inspired by his actual work of ripping off a piece of pop-corn literature. How long should have Kheops waited with releasing it to not make it look like they are "riding on the wave" to you?

More on topic, I'm hoping to have the game on Monday. :)

Thank you.. It's nice to know I'm not the only one that thinks that book is really overrated.. Especially now that we know where the story originated from.. :shifty:
I've always found Da vinci facinating, and I think he's a wonderful artist and inventor..
I'm just afraid that he'll be know to newer generations not for what he's done, but for this conspiracy theeory.. :frusty:

[Jackal]

Not more misleading than the game title itself.

All the more reason not to compound the problem so blatantly.

Thank you.. It's nice to know I'm not the only one that thinks that book is really overrated..

Heh. Funny, I'm finding it harder and harder to find anyone who will admit to liking it anymore. :D

[SoccerDude28]

It's terribly unfair to accuse a game that is inspired by his actual work of ripping off a piece of pop-corn literature. How long should have Kheops waited with releasing it to not make it look like they are "riding on the wave" to you?


It's great that the game won't be a total rip-off of the book, so we can at least play a different GAME and not just go through another form of entertainment that simply regurgitates the contents of the book. It's just that the timing of this game does seem to suggest that it is banking on the popularity of the book for marketting. Nothing wrong with that though.

[AFGNCAAP]

It's nice to know I'm not the only one that thinks that book is really overrated.
I have nothing against the book itself, if only because I haven't actually read it yet. But I do find it unfortunate that the book (or even its title) monopolised Leonardo as far as public consciousness is concerned, as you said. For example: :P
Not more misleading than the game title itself.
Yeah, because the game about Leonardo Da Vinci shouldn't mislead us by having "Da Vinci" in the title. I am sorry, but I'd expect an averagely educated person to associate "Da Vinci" with a certain Italian* from the Renaissance era first, and with a recent pulp bestseller second, if at all.

* Disclaimer for Kurufinwe: regardless of the fact that he in fact should be referred to by his given name. :)

[Kurufinwe]

Yeah, because the game about Leonardo Da Vinci shouldn't mislead us by having "Da Vinci" in the title. I am sorry, but I'd expect an averagely educated person to associate "Da Vinci" with a certain Italian* from the Renaissance era first, and with a recent pulp bestseller second, if at all.
Indeed, but they really were deliberately trying to echo the book's title. The Da Vinci code is, for some reason, one of the only books whose title was left in English when it got translated into French. And, guess what? The Secrets of Da Vinci is Kheops's only game to have an English title for its French version (or rather, half-English, since they actually came up The Secrets of Da Vinci - Le manuscrit interdit). So while the game has nothing to do whatsoever with Dan Brown's story, the similar title is definitely not a coincidence. Nor is the fact that they hint at dark, forbidden secrets ("the forbidden manuscript"), when there's actually nothing of that in the game (and I still can't see how the titular manuscript might be called 'forbidden', even after completing the game three times). So there definitely are some cheap (and, I believe, actually counter-productive) marketing tactics involved around the game's title (and release date as well, probably).

[fov]

Indeed, but they really were deliberately trying to echo the book's title. The Da Vinci code is, for some reason, one of the only books whose title was left in English when it got translated into French. And, guess what? The Secrets of Da Vinci is Kheops's only game to have an English title for its French version (or rather, half-English, since they actually came up The Secrets of Da Vinci - Le manuscrit interdit). So while the game has nothing to do whatsoever with Dan Brown's story, the similar title is definitely not a coincidence. Nor is the fact that they hint at dark, forbidden secrets ("the forbidden manuscript"), when there's actually nothing of that in the game (and I still can't see how the titular manuscript might be called 'forbidden', even after completing the game three times). So there definitely are some cheap (and, I believe, actually counter-productive) marketing tactics involved around the game's title (and release date as well, probably).

Hmm. Interesting.

This is also the first of Kheops' games to be published by Nobillis. That could have something to do with why its title was handled differently than their other games' titles have been.

[insane_cobra]

C'mon people, drop the protectionism already, the game was obviously inspired by Da Vinci Code's success, just as it's obvious Sony nabbed the controller idea from Nintendo. Just admit it. Or better yet, leave it alone. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I don't think it's a bad thing. Its a smart business move and it doesn't make the game any less worthy. All I've been saying is that there's nothing wrong with the first paragraph of Eurogamer's review, Christ. :shifty:

[AFGNCAAP]

Christ. :shifty:
No, Christ is featured in that *other* Da Vinci game.



;)

[Jackal]

C'mon people, drop the protectionism already, the game was obviously inspired by Da Vinci Code's success, just as it's obvious Sony nabbed the controller idea from Nintendo. Just admit it. Or better yet, leave it alone. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I don't think it's a bad thing. Its a smart business move and it doesn't make the game any less worthy. All I've been saying is that there's nothing wrong with the first paragraph of Eurogamer's review, Christ. :shifty:

There's a difference between being inspired by the success of something and doing something just to "ride the wave" of its success. The former seems a no-brainer, as our news items properly acknowledged. The latter suggests being a cheap rip-off, and that's what's being argued.

I do agree with Kurufinwe that the marketing of the game is trying to capitalize on the current DVC wave. But hey, that's what marketing does. Yet like him, I also agree that it's NOT a smart business move.

In any case, say what you will, the first paragraph of Eurogamer's review is ridiculous. I would never let a writer here piss away the entire crucial first paragraph on something totally irrelevant. My opinion has nothing to do with the games being discussed.

[samIamsad]

Irrelevant? How so? The paragraph boils down to:

So, Dan Brown.
This title is not based on any of his works. Got that?
Alright, now on to the game.

Since that confusion seems to exist (and it does), hey. I'm more surprised that nobody has complained about the damn score yet (what? Only six out of ten? Bloody murder!), since the reviewer describes the game as a "pleasurable stroll". ;) Anyway, Keops seem to continue making their kinda cute little games. The morality meter sounds kinda neat.

Aren't they currently developing a safe cracker game, too?

[fov]

So, Dan Brown.
This title is not based on any of his works. Got that?
Alright, now on to the game.

If they'd said it like that, it would have been one line instead of one paragraph. ;)

Aren't they currently developing a safe cracker game, too?

Yes.

[samIamsad]

If they'd said it like that, it would have been one line instead of one paragraph. ;)



Heh. :D Yeah, I very well see where you're all coming from, but saying that it's "totally irrelevant" (yay, semantics!) is taking it way too far. It's nothing but a short introduction (like what, a couple of lines) to the actual review. I've seen much, much, MUCH worse. Totally subjective, totally my very own opinion, of course. Still, nice to see people discussing the actual review body instead of the verdict or score only. :D

[Jackal]

The thing is, though, many people don't read, they skim. So sure, if you're the sort that patiently reads every word, it doesn't matter how long it takes to get to a point. But lots of people don't. That's why you lead with the point you want to emphasize. Or at least lead with something you're going to BUILD on. Not lead with something, elaborate for a while, and finally then say "now forget all that, because this is something else." By then you've already lost people who assume they know the gist of your point and have moved on. In this case, assuming the game to be somehow similar to or related to The Da Vinci Code.

We writers and editors may like to think people read our every word, but I know quite a few people who only skim the first and last paragraphs of a review, and maybe the score and bottom line, if any. So it's not exactly a meaningless issue.

Eurogamer can do what it wants, of course. But I still say it's a lame way to open. :P And one that ends up doing the game a disservice in the process.

[insane_cobra]

So are you saying a lot of people might just ignore the game because they'll think it's based on Da Vinci Code? Cause I'd say your average Joe gamer would be way more interested in a Da Vinci game based on Da Vinci Code than the one not based on it. So in that regard it's actually doing the game service.

Besides, one would think Kheops guys might've thought of that, what with making a game about Da Vinci right after the huge success of Da Vinci Code and putting his name in the title (as preposterous as it sounds, they didn't have to do that, there are games involving famous people that don't mention them in the title! look it up, it's a fact!). Hm, could it be they've done it on purpose? Naaaaah...

[Melanie68]

Honestly, there's been DaVinci overload here in America (and very likely elsewhere too). The past week or so has seen umpteen specials about Dan Brown's book and DaVinci and the Templars and yada, yada, yada as well as every book related to said subject prominently displayed in the bookstores. With any overkill campaign like that, people may start to shut out any more related material (no matter in what medium it's presented).

[Intrepid Homoludens]

So are you saying a lot of people might just ignore the game because they'll think it's based on Da Vinci Code? Cause I'd say your average Joe gamer would be way more interested in a Da Vinci game based on Da Vinci Code than the one not based on it. So in that regard it's actually doing the game service.

Besides, one would think Kheops guys might've thought of that, what with making a game about Da Vinci right after the huge success of Da Vinci Code and putting his name in the title (as preposterous as it sounds, they didn't have to do that, there are games involving famous people that don't mention them in the title! look it up, it's a fact!). Hm, could it be they've done it on purpose? Naaaaah...

Yeah. I mean, isn't it a little more than a coincidence that Secrets of DaVinci came out during this whole hot trend of Dan Brown's novel and the movie?

[insane_cobra]

And when did journalists become responsible for people skimming through their articles?

[phankiejankie]

Come on guys its obvious the game by Kheops rides the Da Vinci wave. Right now my dog, my duck and my unborn child are reading The Da Vinci Code, even my long lost piggy GB Jr. raised from the grave and kindly requested to take him to see the Da Vinci movie because he thinks Amelie, sorry, Audrey Tautou is a cutie. This month alone I've heard of three new exhibitions about Da Vinci, suddenly the world realised what a genius Da Vinci was. Hypocrisious maximous!!

Anyway, in a more serious note, using a trend to your benefit isn't something bad as long as the game isn't a rip-off and since I haven't played it yet, I assume it is not. The "official" game on the contrary isn't bad but it’s not a masterpiece either. Lets hope the impostor does better ;)

[AFGNCAAP]

So are you saying a lot of people might just ignore the game because they'll think it's based on Da Vinci Code?
No, he is saying that a lot of people may, for example, fail to realise it's a separate game. Joe Average starts reading the review, sees "Dan Brown. Love him or hate him, blah blah blah" and realises he had already played the Da Vinci Code game, so he moves on.
Besides, one would think Kheops guys might've thought of that, what with making a game about Da Vinci right after the huge success of Da Vinci CodeI repeat my question: how long should have they waited to not make it "right after"? The book was published in 2003, for chrissake.
and putting his name in the title (as preposterous as it sounds, they didn't have to do that, there are games involving famous people that don't mention them in the title! look it up, it's a fact!). Hm, could it be they've done it on purpose? Naaaaah...
Certainly, they didn't have to put him in the title. But why shouldn't they? Because someone wrote a popular novel? No matter that, as far as the content is concerned, their game is about ten times more about Leonardo da Vinci than the Code franchise? What about those almost extinct kind of people like Panthera and me who are actually interested in Master Leonardo himself? Should Kheops/Nobilis have neglected game's most attractive feature to this audience? I would have called it a bad marketing.
And when did journalists become responsible for people skimming through their articles?
The same moment when the marketing became responsible for people culturally illiterate enough to think mainly of Brown's novel upon hearing "Da Vinci".
Anyway, in a more serious note, using a trend to your benefit isn't something bad as long as the game isn't a rip-offOf course. Using terms like "misleading" implies there are some malevolent, or at least cheap, marketing practices at play, though, and that suggestion I have a gripe with.

[insane_cobra]

Joe Average starts reading the review, sees "Dan Brown. Love him or hate him, blah blah blah" and realises he had already played the Da Vinci Code game, so he moves on. Joe Average doesn't even click on a review of Da Vinci game, cause he thinks he's already played it. If he does, it's because he realizes it's a different game.

I repeat my question: how long should have they waited to not make it "right after"? The book was published in 2003, for chrissake. It's not the question of making or not making the game, it's the question of being aware the game would be confused with Da Vinci code if entitled similarly. Only someone living under a rock for the past three years wouldn't have seen it coming. Therefore, it was deliberate.

Certainly, they didn't have to put him in the title. But why shouldn't they?... Again, I'm not arguing against the name, I'm arguing against blaming Eurogamer for drawing the obvious parallels.

The same moment when the marketing became responsible for people culturally illiterate enough to think mainly of Brown's novel upon hearing "Da Vinci". Which Kheops gladly took advantage of.

(Btw, you're pulling the wrong conclusion. Marketing isn't responsible for that, cultural illiteracy is. Marketing is just taking advantage of it, as proven with this example. And serious journalism has nothing to do with any of those things.)

Of course. Using terms like "misleading" implies there are some malevolent, or at least cheap, marketing practices at play, though, and that suggestion I have a gripe with. Malevolent, no. Cheap, definitely. In fact, it's more than cheap, it's a perfect example of free publicity.

[AFGNCAAP]

It's not the question of making or not making the game, it's the question of being aware the game would be confused with Da Vinci code if entitled similarly. Only someone living under a rock for the past three years wouldn't have seen it coming. Therefore, it was deliberate.That they were aware of a possible confusion, doesn't mean that it was deliberate (ie. that they wanted the confusion to happen). And before you ask: no, I don't know why they wouldn't have picked a different name if that had been the case. (But it could be a publisher's "proposition", as Emily said. For instance.)

Again, I'm not arguing against the name, I'm arguing against blaming Eurogamer for drawing the obvious parallels.Firstly, note that I haven't blamed Eurogamer reviewer for anything throughout this discussion. The opening paragraph didn't bother me - but I am arguing for the sake of arguing see why it bothers others. Secondly, it was not a parallel. He voiced his opinion on Dan Brown, only to acknowledge that the game has nothing to do with him. The only time he gets back to the Da Vinci Code is in the (funny) last sentence.

(Btw, you're pulling the wrong conclusion. Marketing isn't responsible for that, cultural illiteracy is. Marketing is just taking advantage of it, as proven with this example. And serious journalism has nothing to do with any of those things.)Yeah, I was being kinda sarcastic. I meant that marketing has no responsibility for that, just as you implied that journalists hold no resposibility for people skimming their articles.

Malevolent, no. Cheap, definitely. In fact, it's more than cheap, it's a perfect example of free publicity.You know that's not what I meant by "cheap". Anyway, nobody is denying that they got a bit of free publicity that way, but I don't agree with the popular view that each publicity is good. I'm partial to the opinion that the whole confusion may have negative impact on Kheops' game sales. But I hope I'm wrong.

[phankiejankie]

I believe this debate concludes to the following question. Would Kheops have developed a Da Vinci based game if Dan Brown's book wasn't such a hit?

Personally I think no.

[fov]

Personally I think no.

Why not? They made a game about cave paintings even though there wasn't a famous book about cave paintings. ;)

This is hardly the first historically-based game that Kheops, Mzone, and Totem studios (the three developers behind Secrets of Da Vinci) have made.

[RLacey]

I'd be happy to answer probably not to the question "Would Kheops (et al) have developed a Da Vinci based game at this moment in time if Dan Brown's book wasn't such a hit?", mind you. It's not a comment on the game at all, but the timing of this all seems a little too convenient, and it's my - completely uneducated - guess that this particular title was developed at this particular time to take advantage of the book and film situation. Whether that's a bad thing is a completely different question, of course.

[wilco]

So... The game? How is it?

[Jackal]

So are you saying a lot of people might just ignore the game because they'll think it's based on Da Vinci Code? Cause I'd say your average Joe gamer would be way more interested in a Da Vinci game based on Da Vinci Code than the one not based on it. So in that regard it's actually doing the game service.

AFGNCAAP answered this, but I'll add to it. No, not "based on". Is the same game. You may think that sounds like a stretch. But I've already seen the confusion in numerous people, including those who have actually BOUGHT DVC by mistake. Hell, Just Adventure's product page for Secrets of Da Vinci gives game info for Da Vinci Code. (If they've fixed it, it's extremely recent.) So yes, the publishers risk having people confuse the two. And if people think there's only one Da Vinci game out there, which actual name do you think they'll remember when they're standing in a game store or browsing online? Probably the one they're hearing day in and day out.

For those who think they're simply related, it could work the way you say. Or it could still work against them. Not everyone can afford both, so if you've got a choice of the original source or what you believe to be a knock-off inspired by it, I'm pretty sure I'd go for the former. Anyway, that's all guesswork.

Hm, could it be they've done it on purpose? Naaaaah...

You're talking about marketing now. I already agreed that the game's marketing IS clearly trying to tie into the DVC popularity.

And when did journalists become responsible for people skimming through their articles?

You're kidding, right? Any decent journalist should know all about getting their message across in the most effective manner possible, and that means taking reader tendencies into consideration. Anyway, speaking of needless protectionism, if you like the opening, great. But it wouldn't have survived a single writing course I've ever taken.

Again, I'm not arguing against the name, I'm arguing against blaming Eurogamer for drawing the obvious parallels.

Is there actually anyone in this thread who has blamed Eurogamer for drawing parallels? Anyone at all? The only criticism is that they spent the entire first paragraph doing so, which is lousy journalistic writing no matter how you slice it. That would have been a small and already-forgotten criticism if you didn't keep defending it against phantom attacks. All this other "does it do the game good or not" has nothing to do with the quality of EG's opening.

Would Kheops have developed a Da Vinci based game if Dan Brown's book wasn't such a hit?

I don't think that is the question actually. Because yes, I think they would have made a Da Vinci game without Brown's book. But I also believe that it was Brown's book that influenced the decision to make one. Just not in the cynical, "let's hurry up and throw together a Da Vinci game so we can ride Brown's coattails" kind of way.

Bear in mind that it's not actually Brown's BOOK that's causing all this current hype. It's the movie (and to a lesser extent, the game). So the real question is whether its development was planned to coincide with the movie. It's the timing of that that makes it seem like a cash-in. And that I don't know. How long has the movie's release date been known? And how long has the game been in development (including pre-production). Answers to those would be more telling.

EDIT:

So... The game? How is it?

What? You want to talk about the actual GAME? That's no fun. :D But anyway, here's our preview (http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,640/).

[SirDave]

The whole issue over the naming of this game points to a dilemma the developers must have faced: Either use Da Vinci in the title and perhaps get a bump-up in sales because of it while getting accused of some of the things mentioned above or don't use 'Da Vinci' and possibly lose some sales while not appearing to 'sell out'.

Tough question- given the fact that it's in the interest of an adventure game publisher to squeeze out every possible sale.

I don't have an answer, but I do have an alternative title that might have been used:

Mona Lisa's Smile

(Yes, I know there's a movie by that name.)

[wilco]

What? You want to talk about the actual GAME? That's no fun. :D But anyway, here's our preview (http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,640/).


Thanks. Good preview. Short, but very informative. And it took only one sentence to say it isn't based in DaVinci Code! How is that even possible? :D

It answers most of the questions I had. It looks like another fun game from Kheops, I'm kind of disappointed the combining items system didn't make to this one.

Anyway, to anyone who finished the game, how many hours it took? My main complain about RtMI is it's short length.

[Kurufinwe]

It answers most of the questions I had. It looks like another fun game from Kheops, I'm kind of disappointed the combining items system didn't make to this one.
You can't combine items in your inventory, but you can combine them in the appropriate place. For instance, in RTMI, if you wanted to make cannon powder, you combined the reagents in your inventory; in Da Vinci, you do it in Leonardo's workshop, at the table where he kept his chemical apparatus. So you still combine lots of things; but it's done more realistically (I think).

Anyway, to anyone who finished the game, how many hours it took? My main complain about RtMI is it's short length.
The length is about the same as RTMI.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

I don't have an answer, but I do have an alternative title that might have been used:

Mona Lisa's Smile

(Yes, I know there's a movie by that name.)

;) Only problem is that the Julia Roberts movie was released 3 years ago and the game, released now, wouldn't be able to ride on its momentous coattails and have a chance at making extra money.

[wilco]

You can't combine items in your inventory, but you can combine them in the appropriate place. For instance, in RTMI, if you wanted to make cannon powder, you combined the reagents in your inventory; in Da Vinci, you do it in Leonardo's workshop, at the table where he kept his chemical apparatus. So you still combine lots of things; but it's done more realistically (I think).

Ok, my bad, that makes sense, by your description it does sound kind of like the same thing. Sounds good


The length is about the same as RTMI.

Shorter than short. Damn...

[insane_cobra]

I was just finishing writing a long reply to Jackal's post when I accidentally did something that caused my browser to return me to the previously visited page. I use an IE-based browser so when I pushed the forward button, the whole reply was gone. :frusty:

I don't feel like writing it all over again so I'll end the whole thing with this:

You win, I lose. Good game. :)

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Aw, c'mon, cobsie! Just rewrite it, but not as 'verbosely', perhaps. ;)

[insane_cobra]

It wasn't that verbose in the first place, it's just that there are many things to answer to. Frankly, can't be bothered at the moment. Maybe some other time.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

You can't combine items in your inventory, but you can combine them in the appropriate place. For instance, in RTMI, if you wanted to make cannon powder, you combined the reagents in your inventory; in Da Vinci, you do it in Leonardo's workshop, at the table where he kept his chemical apparatus. So you still combine lots of things; but it's done more realistically (I think).

That sounds a lot like the system used in Knights Of The Old Republic 2. In that game you can combine elements to make new weapons or chemical items (health packs, bombs, etc.) by finding the nearest work table or lab table. You can also disassemble things. Of course, since KOTOR2 is an RPG, what you can play around with is commensurate with your decided skills.

[SirDave]

;) Only problem is that the Julia Roberts movie was released 3 years ago and the game, released now, wouldn't be able to ride on its momentous coattails and have a chance at making extra money.

I'm a never-ending source of marketing know-how & acumen: Simply include the Dvd of the movie (Mona Lisa's Smile, that is) with the game and make a big deal about it on the box! :D

[Intrepid Homoludens]

D'you think they should make the main character female and look like Miss Roberts? :D Definite big marketability right there!

[Tramboi]

I have to agree this title is awful, especially considering it is a really good game.

(PS : Anyway Da Vinci Code is a Gabriel Knight 3 rip-off, uh? :D )

[Jackal]

I was just finishing writing a long reply to Jackal's post when I accidentally did something that caused my browser to return me to the previously visited page. I use an IE-based browser so when I pushed the forward button, the whole reply was gone. :frusty:

Don't you hate it when that happens? :(

Seriously, I really don't think you're saying much that I or anyone disagrees with. It was just a question of degree. Except for the lame opening paragraph issue :P, which really has nothing to do with anything. (And I honestly don't think the EG review will make a speck of difference to how Secrets of Da Vinci OR DVC sells. That was all just theoretical discussion.)

In case anyone missed it, by the way, there's a "making of" video (http://www.adventuregamers.com/newsitem.php?id=1195) for the Secrets version of Da Vinci. This has nothing to do with the Brown debate; just an interesting aside.

[Panthera]

Thanks for the preview, I'm definitly getting this game, escpecially since they seem to geniuly respect Da Vinci, and has cooperated with his estate among other things.. Waiting exited for the review.. ;)

And title wise I believe that "mona lisa smile" is a lot more cheesy than the secrets of Da Vinci..

just a little thought; If they'd called it "the secrets of Leonardo Da Vinci", would we have had this discussion? :crazy:

[SirDave]

And title wise I believe that "mona lisa smile" is a lot more cheesy than the secrets of Da Vinci..


How to hurt a guy! :frown:

[Gabe]

I just started pretty much like mysterious journey nothing like nauseated
vinci code and have massive inventory