Rather than simply adapting the existing puzzles, Blue Brain Games has reimagined the experience from the ground up to create something that feels native to VR
Having experienced and reviewed the original flat version of The House of Da Vinci back in 2018, stepping into its VR reimagining feels like rediscovering a beloved classic through entirely new eyes. Blue Brain Games has crafted not just a simple VR port, but a complete ground-up rebuild that leverages virtual reality's unique capabilities to create an even more engaging puzzle adventure.
Set in Renaissance Florence, you play as Leonardo da Vinci's apprentice, summoned urgently by the master himself to witness a groundbreaking invention. Upon arrival, however, you discover that Leonardo has mysteriously vanished. This sets up an intriguing premise that drives you to explore his workshop and residence, unraveling the mystery of his disappearance through a series of ingeniously designed puzzles and contraptions.
While the narrative remains relatively light, delivered primarily through occasional scrolls and environmental storytelling, it serves its purpose well. The real star here is the masterfully crafted Renaissance setting. The game opens with a breathtaking view of Florence that immediately establishes the historical atmosphere. The attention to period detail in the architecture, furnishings, and especially da Vinci's workshop creates a deeply immersive environment that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time.
The core gameplay revolves around solving interconnected puzzles, most of which center around da Vinci's ingenious mechanical contraptions. These puzzles are thoughtfully designed to take advantage of VR's unique capabilities. You'll physically manipulate intricate mechanisms, slide hidden panels, turn cranks, and piece together various components to progress.
One of the game's coolest feature is the special enhancement to your gloves that allows you to see hidden elements, such as concealed machinery or secret writing. This mechanic is complemented by a temporal viewing system that lets you observe past events, often showing you crucial hints about how to operate various devices. These tools are integrated naturally into the gameplay and add an extra layer of depth to the puzzle-solving experience.
The difficulty curve is well-balanced, with puzzles that challenge you without becoming frustratingly obtuse. Solutions typically require careful observation and logical thinking rather than leap-of-faith guesswork. When you do get stuck, the hint system provides gentle nudges in the right direction without spoiling the satisfaction of solving puzzles yourself.
The visual presentation is nothing short of spectacular on the Quest 3. The level of detail in both the environments and the puzzle mechanisms is extraordinary. Each mechanical contraption feels like a miniature work of art, with intricate gears, levers, and components that move with convincing weight and precision. The sound design deserves special mention – the satisfying clicks, clunks, and whirrs of the various mechanisms provide wonderful audio feedback that enhances the tactile experience.
The lighting and texture work create a moody, atmospheric environment that perfectly captures the mysterious nature of da Vinci's workshop. Small details, like the worn paint on wooden carvings or the play of candlelight on metal surfaces, contribute to the overall sense of authenticity.
While the game excels in many areas, it does have some limitations worth noting. The movement system, which relies solely on teleportation between preset points, can feel restrictive, especially when playing seated on a couch. While this design choice makes sense for the puzzle-focused gameplay, it can sometimes make positioning yourself optimally for certain interactions challenging. Interacting with certain puzzle elements like levers and cranks will feel awkward when seated as opposed to standing.
Some of the more delicate interactions, particularly with smaller buttons and sliding mechanisms, can be finicky and occasionally frustrating. These moments are relatively rare but can temporarily break the otherwise excellent immersion. It is also worth mentioning the relatively short runtime of the game, which clocks in at around 3 hours. Of course, those 3 hours are jam-packed with intriguing puzzle content, but it's worth noting that you'll likely finish the game in a single sitting and once you're done, there's no reason to replay it.
The House of Da Vinci VR represents a masterful translation of the original game into virtual reality. Rather than simply adapting the existing puzzles, Blue Brain Games has reimagined the experience from the ground up to create something that feels native to VR. The combination of historical atmosphere, clever puzzle design, and stunning presentation creates an engaging and memorable experience. It's a game that demonstrates how VR can enhance and transform an already excellent concept into something even more special. I highly recommend it and I can't wait to see The House of Da Vinci 2 & 3 plus the upcoming The House of Tesla in VR too cause why not. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a Quest 3 via a promo copy provided by PR. The House of Da Vinci VR is available on Meta Quest and PCVR.
