The House of Da Vinci

Click everywhere and maybe you will hit some invisible scratch on wooden box that indicates that you can do something here. About 80% of game look like this. Other 20% are good puzzles but it is not enough to make this game not frustrating. Better play some myst-like game.

The success of a puzzle game relies on having a good understanding of the average puzzle solving skill level of your user base and tailoring the puzzles to be doable in that context. I have played all games in "The Room" series and have found them all the be quite enjoyable. The logic puzzles are complicated but not drudgery. House of DaVinci is similar in many ways but the differences are numerous and mostly unwelcome. As mentioned by other reviewers, the game often requires you to click on literally every crack and crevice you see on the screen to find the "one way forward." And then when that fails you have to try to DRAG every crack and crevice every which way... This is not how I enjoy spending my "gaming time". Some of the puzzles in the game are most enjoyable and the art is superb. It feels like a focus group was really needed here to keep the puzzle design on a fair and reasonable footing. Also the puzzles are not just logic. Some rely on knowing details and history of Mathematics or rather obscure constructs (like the "Fibonacci Sequence") in order to proceed. If you're comfortable with all of the above requirements then you may find this game to be a satisfying way to pass the time.

THoDV tries to be a "Room-like", and mostly it is. But when it isn't -- it's puzzle grind time. (It would've also been ok, if those "grindy" puzzles had undo -- but, alas, there is only reset.) Also, UX is insonsistent -- sometimes finished "temporary" locations are closed when you are done with them, and sometimes they are not. Hints will help, but nevertheless... E.g. after you open a chest, you need to a) take an object from it, b) find a hidden space there, c) take an object from there. After a), b) and c) chest will be closed. Or not.

This game begins with annoying toddler-style puzzles and very annoying thousands-clicks mechanics. However due to very nice detailed graphics and soothing music it manages to stay below refund threshold. With the game progressing, puzzles are getting better and better, mechanics, graphics and music remains the same. Puzzles in this game don't pose much challenge, and rarely make sense. There are few interesting logic puzzles though, alas purposely made easy to break by brute force. That all being said "The house of da Vinci" is a promising game and I am going to try the sequel. Bottom line is: the game is recommended to puzzle vets at a discount price as a relax, and for puzzle apprentices... well getting into any business costs money. An "The House of da Vinci" is a solid internship.