I haven’t read the book (The Da Vinci Code), nor have I seen the movie, and frankly I wasn’t thrilled about seeing a casual game based on the subject, either. Movie tie-in games are often nothing more than an attempt to cash in on a hot property. So I nearly passed on Da Vinci’s Secret, a new game from Thunderstorm Games.
And boy am I glad I didn’t.
Simply put, this is one of the best games I’ve seen in quite some time. Yes, it’s storyline and theme is based on The Da Vinci Code’s basic concept. But other than that it’s not really a direct tie-in with either the book or the movie.
In Da Vinci’s Secret, Leonardo Da Vinci is hiding an earth-shattering secret in his artwork and it’s up to you to find the truth. You must puzzle your way through Europe, seeking clues in Da Vinci’s notes, revealing hidden meanings, and unraveling the riddles that shelter the truth. Each destination on your journey is a mental challenge that will bend the brain of even the best puzzlers.
For me, the big news with this game is the return of the “lines” style of game that was so popular a few years ago, but has somehow fallen out of favor. The only recent titles I can think of in this genre are Wonderlines and Arcade Lines. The gameplay is simple - create blocks of three or more balls to remove them from the board, as more balls randomly appear on the gameboard. This may sound like the ubiquitous “match three” games that are so popular now, but there are some of distinct differences between the two styles of games:
- In a match-three game, the gameboard is always full. In a lines game, the gameboard is only partially full.
- In a match-three game, gravity is in effect. That is, new balls constantly fall from the top of the screen as balls are deleted. You need to be constantly aware of how balls will fall to full empty spaces. Gravity has no effect in a lines game.
- In a match-three game, balls are removed by swapping adjacent pieces. In a lines game, balls may be moved freely on the board, as long as there is an open pathway to the new point. This freedom of movement is one of the appealing features of a lines game.
Unlike many old-school casual games that have been given a modern facelift, the changes and additions in Da Vinci’s Secret really do make the game better. The “adventure” portion of the game, where you solve increasingly-difficult puzzles to advance through a series of challenges to solve the ultimate mystery, actually adds an intriguing element to the game, resulting in a real sense of accomplishment as you progress thru the game. And the addition of power-ups, based on your skill and foresight, are also a welcome addition to the game. Careful use of these power-ups is a major factor in successfully completing the puzzles in a minimum amount of time, particularly in the later stages of the game.
The atmospheric elements of the game - graphics, animation, sound effects, and music - are top-notch, and are entirely in character with the theme of the game, and in most cases really add to the immersiveness of the game.
Note: There is also a game called The Da Vinci Code, which is a movie tie-in, and which is a more typical match-three style game, albeit with it’s own unique take on the genre. While it’s a quality production, and fun in its own right, I don’t think that it’s nearly the masterpiece that Da Vinci’s Secret is.
Bottom line: Da Vinci’s Secret is a masterpiece, particularly for those of us who loved (and missed) the “lines” style of gaming. Try it - I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
More information about Da Vinci’s Secret
Download Da Vinci’s Secret (14.56MB)
