The House of Da Vinci VR is the final VR gem of the year
The House of Da Vinci VR is a pleasant surprise and, for me, one of the most beautiful and immersive VR games of the year.
The game begins with a stunning view. I'm standing on a bridge overlooking a river at sunset as it winds through early 16th-century Florence. I look up and see the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, an ornate white marble statue of a woman, ivy climbing a balcony, and the church tower of the Badia Fiorentina rising majestically above me.
All of this is rendered on a Meta Quest 3 with a level of splendor that I have rarely seen on a standalone headset. This level of visual fidelity continues later in the atmospherically lit and richly decorated interiors and in the small details of the artifacts you interact with throughout the game.
I think it's the relatively static environments and the fact that you can't move around freely that make such visuals possible. But that doesn't change the fact that The House of Da Vinci VR is a feast for the eyes and one of the best-looking VR games for standalone headsets.
A wonderfully tactile puzzle game
Let's get to the gameplay. The House of Da Vinci VR is a classic escape room game set in the historical context of the Renaissance.
You take on the role of Leonardo da Vinci's most talented apprentice, who visits the inventor and artist in Florence. Once there, you witness a spectacular experiment and learn that your master has disappeared without a trace. Over the next few hours, you will follow Da Vinci's trail, solving tricky puzzles in his house that will lead you from one (secret) room to the next.
Most of the puzzles involve mechanical devices and bizarre contraptions that you have to manipulate with your hands and fingers. The House of Da Vinci is a VR port of a flat game that feels like it was made with virtual reality mind, thanks to the many tactile interactions it offers. Another puzzle mechanic is introduced through magical lenses that allow you to uncover hidden codes, see through objects, and even look into the past.
In the rooms, you typically teleport between three and five predefined locations and machines. This reduces unnecessary complexity and prevents you from wandering around every corner looking for the next clue.
Take a trip back in time to the Renaissance
The Slovakian studio Blue Brain Games placed great emphasis on the authenticity of the locations, objects and machines, drawing inspiration from historical documents, original works of art and Da Vinci's inventions. For fans of the universal genius and the Renaissance, the VR game is worth playing for this reason alone. Thanks to the magic of virtual reality and the developers' attention to detail and atmosphere, you'll feel like you've been transported back in time.
I haven't finished the game yet, but I don't have much to complain about so far. With a few exceptions, the object interactions are well implemented. The only thing I would have liked to see is more variety and surprises in the puzzle design.
If you're looking for a stress-free and immersive VR game that you can play in the comfort of your coach on cold winter evenings, The House of Da Vinci VR is a good choice. I hope that Blue Brain Games will bring the two sequels to virtual reality with the same love and care.
You can purchase The House of Da Vinci VR for $25 from the Horizon Store and on Steam.
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