Overview:
The House of Da Vinci VR is a game that’s great for people who enjoy puzzles and want an immersive experience that involves investigating Leonardo Da Vinci’s city and workshop. It was originally a 2D game that has been converted into VR, so you can expect to run into just a few issues. Still, it’s a great conversation that gives you beautiful environments and plenty of reasons to put on your headset and step into a world you haven’t yet imagined.
Pros:
- Beautifully designed levels
- Puzzle solving mechanics
- Immersive VR worlds
Cons:
- Not great outside of VR
- Teleportation only way to move
- Only game in series to be converted
Intro:
The House of Da Vinci takes lots of historical inspiration to create a world that will make you feel like you’ve been transported back to the Renaissance. It’s a creepy and eerie game that sets you in a time period where a disaster is just about to hit. It’s your goal to explore his workshop and surrounding area to solve puzzles and escape death. They use music and atmosphere to great effect, and you’ll find yourself hoping for a break in the tension before long. If you’re a fan of puzzle games, then this is certainly one for you to check out as soon as you can.
Limited Mobility
The biggest drawback of the game’s VR version is that teleportation is the only way to move around the map. This can become a chore when you try to get to a puzzle and find that it’s always just out of reach. It will take some time and practice to get where you want to go and that’s a problem that will stay with you for the remainder of the game. This is an issue with the game’s conversion and there isn’t much to be done about it, aside from learning how to manipulate the mechanics to the best of your ability. It should also be noted that ways of moving around the game in its 2D version won’t work in the VR version. If you’ve played it before, you’re in for a whole new way of playing the game.
Only One Conversion
If you’re familiar with The House of Da Vinci, you already know that it’s a series of games with two sequels after the original outing. Only the first game has been converted to VR at this time. It started out as a Kickstarter way back in 2016 with the first game release in 2017. It was released by Blue Brain Games with sequels that came out in 2019 and 2021. The third game effectively served as a conclusion, so new sequels are unlikely. However, there may be hope for the remaining games to be converted into VR outings. With the warm critical reception of this first one, the studio may follow up.
Starting in the Environment
The game starts with a short tutorial that will give you everything you need to know about it. They run you through the VR environment, how to move around it, and how to solve its puzzles. Then you get to take on the mantle of Da Vinci’s apprentice. He’s disappeared right after telling you about a new invention, and you’re thrown right into the gorgeous Italian world. The environments are very immersive and the only thing standing in your way is teleportation. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be better equipped to explore the world and find everything that it has in store for you. Keep in mind that this is a VR game best played in the sitting position. If you like to stand, you’ll likely use the reposition button pretty often.
Satisfying Puzzles
The best thing The House of Da Vinci has going for it is the satisfying way you get to solve the puzzles throughout it. This isn’t a game that gives you simple solutions and you’ll spend some time trying to figure them out. If you enjoy getting lost in a puzzle and want a real challenge, this game is going to give it to you. It also gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you solve a new puzzle and get your time in between chapters. You can expect to spend roughly between 20 and 30 with each puzzle, so it will keep you entertained while you play it. It’s a puzzle game for people who enjoy puzzles.
Based on Actual Inventions
On top of the work put into the puzzles, they’re also based on real inventions by Leonardo Da Vinci. That’s going to give you a historical thrill while you explore them and experiment with them. That’s where the real fun of the game will lie for most people. If you’re not that fond of puzzles, you might still like it based on the historic accuracy that comes with the game. That makes it great for a wide slew of people and you’re most likely going to be one of them. You’ll also get wrapped up in the eeriness of the game and it will keep you on edge for its duration, making it a good choice for fans of horror and drama.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a VR game, you can do much worse than The House of Da Vinci. It’s a conversion from a 2D game, so you’ll have some mobility issues. The biggest drawback of the game is its teleportation system, but you can get the hang of it after a while. It’s best played in the sitting position, so don’t try to play it while you’re standing. The environments are beautiful and meticulously crafted for your enjoyment. You’ll also experience the pleasure of solving puzzles with Da Vinci’s real inventions and that alone is worth the price of admission. If you’re not sure about it, give the 2D version a shot and see what you think. Then you’ll have a better idea if you’ll love the impressive VR world of The House of Da Vinci.