The Secrets of Da Vinci (LFA)
Motion sickness WARNING: This is a 360 degree game: Every millimeter you move the cursor will change your perspective.
Options include Subtitle (text during voice-acting), Speed and a Volume Slider. The game does play well in wide-screen.
This is a Large File Adventure Game, and for those who are not used to this kind of game, you need to click everywhere, interact with anything and anyone you run across and SAVE OFTEN. Unlike casual adventures, you MUST save manually - and do so often, lest ye lose your progress!
The in-game Menu is accessed by right-clicking. In this menu you will see your inventory items, your journal (which tracks important information), a compass (which will take you to the main menu) and an icon that will close the in-game menu. You have a choice of 5 different icons when you start up the game.
To use an item from your inventory, left-click on the item (so that you're holding it), then right-click to close the menu. You will see the item you're holding in the upper-left corner of the scene.
Also in the in-game menu is an angel/devil meter. You start out even, but the choices you make during the game will reveal your good intentions ... or your devilish deeds :twisted:
The 3-D graphics are quite lovely, but a bit on the dark side to begin with. It IS nighttime, after all. Your monitor's brightness control is your friend!
The music is more ambiance than anything else - nice and environmental, appropriate to the story.
The first voice you hear is a bit odd... it has a strange cadence to it, but luckily, it's not a voice you hear for very long. I rather like the main character's (that would be us) voice, it suits him.
I will give you an example of the kind of thing you will run into in this game, and I'll try not to be too specific, but am putting spoiler tags on it just in case.
- Spoiler:
I found a ladder, and I know that I need to use it to get to a window... but you have to FIND where the ladder goes. There is no hint where, exactly, this might be.
A-hah! I've found the right location and the right place to put my cursor.
Place the ladder, try to go up... and the ladder breaks.
What do I do now? Well, you just have to figure that out! That is what adventuring is all about - exploring everywhere and everything, and frequently being stumped as to what you're supposed to do next! The whole game is a puzzle for you to solve, and if you enjoy a challenge, you'll have a blast.
If you are used to casual games, this may be frustrating for you. This is a true adventure game with little direction. I had to wander for quite a while before my character finally gave me a hint on where I should be looking. There is no task list, no flashing journal, no maps... you have to track everything for yourself. You do have a journal (right-click to find it), and it will have extra story, info on characters you've met and places you've been, but you have to remember to go and look at it
Your cursor WILL change when there is something to be interacted with, a major plus for me since the 360 perspective can be a bit daunting (there's just so MUCH to look at!). Your cursor will show a directional arrow when you can move in a certain direction, and it will turn into gears when there's something to be interacted with.
DON'T FORGET TO SAVE YOUR GAME!! OFTEN!!I really do enjoy the graphics of the game, I like the ambiance, the story is interesting, and I've enjoyed what I've played so far. Definitely give this game a try if you enjoy a good, challenging game :thumb:
