Uncoding clues to da Vinci’s hidden piece

John Breeden II
The Washington Post

The year is 1522.  It has been three years since inventor, scientist and artist Leonardo da Vinci died, and many of his secrets remained hidden. In this point and click adventure, you play a disgraced apprentice to Francisco Melzi, da Vinci’s greatest disciple. After being fired by Melzi, you are given a mysterious letter offering you a job. You are to visit da Vinci’s last home, under false credentials, and search for a hidden manuscript.

Graphically, the game is quite good. The house you are searching is today a museum devoted to the artist.

The French development  team spent a lot of time there and the results is a realistic layout and feel

Research into the proper dress of the period adds believability..You’ll meet interesting people in your adventure. There is the beautiful Madame Babou, who lives at the estate and might become your ally if you can romance her. There is also the shady caretaker Saturnin, who knows more than he lets on, and the King of France, Francois I, who has an interest in all things da Vinci. The game’s puzzles range from moderately challenging to difficult. Many are based on science or mechanics, such as mixing a potion in da Vinci’s lab that is needed to enter an area of the house or fixing a clock he apparently broke. Sometimes completing a puzzle will trigger a cut scene in which your character can see the past (he thinks of it as a dream).

It is during those scenes that we learn about da Vinci’s motives for hiding the manuscript. Depending on how you play, you will trend towards good or evil, as shown on your character’s morality meter.  This affects what you do. If you become too good, you won’t be able to lie or steal useful objects. Being to evil prevents you from doing charitable acts. It’s best to try a balance.

Details: PC Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP,  Publisher: TriSynergy
Rated Everyone  ages 10 and up  $20