The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript

The Good
I must admit that I didn't really like Forbidden Manuscript as much as I thought I would. However, a few good points are worth mentioning in this section.

The renaissance representation is fantastic and makes you feel as if you are really part of that era as you explore. The graphics of the house and grounds are wonderfully realistic. Fires crackle in the fireplaces, birds sing in the trees and the brook babbles along as it winds its way through the grounds. The music is unusual and well-orchestrated. Players are rewarded when a milestone is reached with special tunes.

The Bad
The story didn't capture my imagination. I found it to be slow and somewhat boring at times. Those feelings were intensified by overly long screen loads. (Click .. wait, wait, wait - even while simply walking around the house)

The journal gives too little information. Puzzle clues are vague and elusive. In fact, the majority of the "real" puzzles are solved by trial and error. You must conform to the strict linear nature of the gameplay. If you vary, you'll be stuck without any idea of your next action. Add to this .. pixel-hunting, wandering around in the dark, endless backtracking between locations, and the feeling of "busy work" while completing tasks.

There are NPCs with whom you can talk and interact with .. but ONLY TWO. They both come across exactly like their graphic depictions - stiff and lacking emotion.

While there are multiple ways to solve some of the puzzles, you are limited in that area by your "good" or "bad" nature. The personality "meter" measures all of your deeds .. thus if you're too "good" you won't be able to lie or steal. The meter can be adjusted by sacrificing points (and I could care less about points in adventure games other than to record progress). Ultimately the meter was a lame attempt to give the game replay value, in my opinion.

The Bottom Line
Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript offers gamers a very small glimpse into the life and times of Leonardo Da Vinci. Gameplay can be compared to the Jules Verne adventures with the exception of non-player character interaction.

Players are first challenged to find Da Vinci's study. Then, after meeting the current mistress of the house, the "lovely" Marie Babou, more exploration becomes available. The player learns how to make everyday items (ink and gunpowder, for instance) by mixing up ingredients found nearby. Repairs to things around the house are necessary to progress - like fixing the garden fountain and a broken bridge. Everyday tools from the time need to be used to accomplish some tasks (a saw, drill, mortar and pestle etc.)

One inventive gameplay object is Valdo's journal. While it records notes, it also contains puzzles making interaction with the pages possible (and necessary). The game also features a points system to record progress as well as a "good/bad" personality meter.

As an "architect to the King of France", cut scenes feature conversations with the king and Leonardo. These cut scenes provide a slight break in the otherwise dull story.

Overall, this weekend excursion was forgotten the minute I uninstalled it. If you go into it without too many expectations, you might find it more enjoyable than I did. Still, it's worth waiting for it to appear in a bargain bin.