The House of Da Vinci is a 3D puzzle adventure video game developed and published by the Slovak indie studio Blue Brain Games. It was initially released on November 24, 2017, for Windows and macOS, and later ported to iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Overview
The game is set in Renaissance Florence in the year 1506. The player assumes the role of Leonardo da Vinci's most promising apprentice, who must explore da Vinci's workshop and surrounding locations to solve mechanical puzzles and uncover the mystery of the master's disappearance. The gameplay is heavily inspired by the The Room series of puzzle games, featuring first-person point-and-click controls, interactive mechanical contraptions, and hidden object discovery.
Gameplay
Players navigate 3D environments by clicking or tapping to move between fixed camera positions. The core gameplay involves examining intricate mechanical devices, finding hidden compartments, collecting objects, and combining items to solve puzzles. The game features two special abilities granted by a magical gauntlet: "X-ray vision," which allows the player to see through surfaces to reveal hidden objects or mechanisms, and a time-rewind ability that lets the player witness past events to gain clues about the story.
Development and Release
Blue Brain Games successfully funded The House of Da Vinci through a Kickstarter campaign in late 2016, attracting over 2,391 backers. The game was built using the Unity 3D engine. Many of the puzzles are inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's real inventions and sketches, including concepts from the Codex Atlanticus.
Platforms and Reception
The game has been released on multiple platforms:
- Windows / macOS (November 24, 2017)
- iOS / Android (2017)
- Nintendo Switch (July 26, 2019)
- PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 (December 17, 2023)
- Xbox One / Xbox Series X/S (January 25, 2024)
On Steam, the game holds a "Very Positive" rating from over 2,600 English-language user reviews (81% positive). On Metacritic, critic reviews for the PC version have been mixed to positive, with praise directed at the puzzle design, visual atmosphere, and historical inspiration, while criticism has focused on imprecise controls and occasionally obscure puzzle logic. The game has an average user score of approximately 7.1/10 on Metacritic and 4.4/5 on Google Play.
Sequel
The game is the first entry in a series. It was followed by The House of Da Vinci II (2019), The House of Da Vinci III (2022), and The House of Da Vinci VR (2024).
