Steps unfolding within the cerebral cortex of a visionary in Blue Mind’s 16th-century virtual reality puzzle game.
Immersive in the shoes of a fearless apprentice, Blue Mind Video games’ The Home of Da Vinci series drops you into a world of intrigue as you unravel the enigma surrounding your mentor – the legendary Leonardo Da Vinci. As players explore beautifully recreated Renaissance settings, they’ll also unravel intriguing puzzles, a hallmark of the series’ engaging gameplay; meanwhile, the studio is poised to bring their beloved puzzle-solving experience to virtual reality headsets by year’s end. Within the immersive realm of The Home of Da Vinci VR lies a poignant tribute to the mystifying genius, expertly crafted by the studio to showcase its signature excellence. During a hands-on demonstration at Gamescom, I found myself meticulously examining and manipulating intricately detailed objects to uncover hidden clues and decipher the enigmatic persona behind the iconic Vitruvian Man.
My demo began amidst a foreboding cemetery shrouded in lush moss and surrounded by imposing stone sentinels that seemed to defy the living. Upon mastering the navigation mechanics, I effectively utilized the intuitive teleportation system by simply pointing and launching myself across the terrain using the controllers seamlessly. Furthermore, I derive a sense of satisfaction from fidgeting with the intricately designed mechanical crown situated on my left wrist, which can be effortlessly popped out to allow for precise adjustments. With a innovative manipulation of temporal layers, this cutting-edge software enables users to visualize past events superimposed upon the present, thereby uncovering crucial hints that propel the storyline forward. While exploring elsewhere, I thoroughly examined intricate details on bricks and statues, mesmerized by the meticulous craftsmanship that allowed me to navigate the demo’s finicky puzzles in a tactile and satisfying manner.
While I consider myself a enthusiast of enigmas, the intricate brain teasers within The Home of Da Vinci VR do not hesitate to present formidable challenges, demanding extensive creative problem-solving and lateral thinking. As I explore this enigmatic world without revealing too much, I’m thoroughly enjoying the process of charting each new path, carefully extracting key details from both past and present via the time-traveling dial, and expertly weaving them together to uncover the next crucial step. Notably, many of the units you encounter draw inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s innovative designs, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the experience. The construction team has meticulously completed their assignment and seamlessly integrated their findings into each environmental scenario.
Despite my best efforts, I found myself confronting a series of mental obstacles that proved challenging to overcome. Fortunately, The Home of Da Vinci VR also features a helpful tracing system, which guides me through each scene via an overlaid bright orange pencil mark. In place of receiving vague hints, I was always precisely guided towards the correct platform or tool. This innovative approach efficiently propels users forward without compromising the solution or diminishing their excitement, ultimately providing a satisfying experience.
Within The Home of Da Vinci VR, the meticulously crafted 16th-century set pieces truly stole the show during my experience. The warmth of candlelit rooms beckons, its gentle glow harmonizing with the lunar blue’s enchanting pull, crafting an ambiance where comfort and tension converge in an intricate dance. This unsettling blend of sounds is heightened by an ASMR-inspired soundtrack, where creaking gates and eerie tickles combine to unnerve throughout. While The Home of Da Vinci VR is not a horror experience per se, its atmospheric sound design and dimly lit environments nonetheless cultivate an unsettling sense of unease that perfectly complements the enigmatic historical narrative.
The highly anticipated virtual reality experience, The Home of Da Vinci VR, is set to debut on Meta Quest and Steam platforms in the next 12 months. As we’ve had limited exposure so far, it’s emerging as a substantial enhancement to the growing roster of engaging virtual reality puzzle games.
