Customer Reviews

Da Vinci Code

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I don't think I've to explain too much about the premise of The Da Vinci Code. It appears that the book is so immensely popular that even my mother, who seldom reads, has read it. Of course, it's only natural that a blockbuster movie adaptation follows, as well as a movie tie-in game. Unfortunately, while the book and movie are interesting entities on their own, the game doesn't quite measure up.

The game is billed as an action adventure game, but really, the action nature is very much mellowed down. The combat, in particular, just isn't very well done. Instead of allowing the player to freely attack an opponent, the game opts for a Struggle System that requires the player to press a series of buttons shown on the screen to perform an attack or defend sequence. This is an idea borrowed from the great adventure game Indigo Prophecy, but somehow, it just doesn't work as well here. Moreover, given the preconceptions that both the lead characters, Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu, aren't exactly martial arts expert, seeing them perform karate chops on opponents just doesn't feel right.

The adventure feature of the game, however, is pretty well done. Considering that The Da Vinci Code is about solving a murder case, and the uncovering of a great conspiracy of a grand scale, it's only right that the puzzles in this game offers the right amount of challenges. Cryptograms, puzzles and riddles are just some of the things that are thrown at your path liberally. And boy, some of these are truly tough. I like games that provide a good mind challenge, so it's not surprising that I find the puzzle elements in this game highly enjoyable. At times, the puzzles feel too pretentious, almost to the point of giving the player a puzzle for the sake of having a puzzle. Why would someone hide a key to a mansion in a shed that nobody can get access to apart from climbing in from the window? Nevertheless, many adventure games are guilty of that, so it isn't exactly a big issue for me as well.

Graphically, the game looks really dated. The character models are badly designed, and it's really sad that, with this being a movie tie-in, the developer couldn't at least try to get the licenses to include the actual models and voice-overs for Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Sir Ian McKellen and (perhaps) Jean Reno. At least this would provide some novelty value. Instead, what we've here are just very boring looking characters that look, well, dead. The music and sound effects are also flat. The voice-overs sound tired and disinterested, and the music has the tendency to be overly loud in one situation, and totally incomprehensible in another. I've lost count of the number of times I had to adjust the volume on my TV set just to get the right sound level.

Adding to the frustration are glitches that make the playing experience a little worse. At times, the camera angle can go all haywire, causing the player not to be able to see what's happening around you. This works badly if you're in the midst of combat. Some times, when you load a game, your character will automatically walk around even without you touching the left analog stick. All these are little bugs that won't stop you from completing the game, but they're nonetheless irritating when you experience them.

On the whole, The Da Vinci Code feels like an unfinished game, probably rushed out just in time to accompany the movie's release date. Fans of the adventure genre may still find it intriguing due to the clever puzzles that are littered throughout the game. If you ignore the rather bland action sequences and poor presentations, The Da Vinci Code presents a good adventure story that complements the book and the movie adequately. And for this, it's still a recommendable game despite its flaws.

I am pleased as punch to have been able to acquire this game!!! Maybe I am old-fashioned, but it is refreshing to find a modern game that does not rely on blood and gore, foul language and adult situations to be entertaining. The puzzles are challenging without being frustrating, the graphics are realistic and barely patchy, although, you can definitely find the "glitches" when trying really hard. I absolutely love finding the secrets with exploring!!! The combat scenes, personally I can do without, but at least they have a purpose, not just because the programmers needed more shoot-em up action. I would highly recommend this to young adults to challenge their brains and cannot wait for my daughters to be old enough to play this, the rating system is dead right for this game, it is teen and up. Highly, highly recommend and REALLY WANT MORE!!!!! Maybe they could make up a "sequel"?

The adventure game is a genre that has died out in the US in the past few years, much to the chagrin of many fans who enjoyed games like King's Quest, Leisure Suit Larry, Gabriel Knight, and Grim Fandango. Companies were going after the action game in a big way and there seemed no place for games that required creative thinking instead of quick reflexes.

Now, it appears that these types of games may be coming back in the form of such titles as the Da Vinci Code. While not strictly an adventure game, it does bring back puzzle-solving, creative thinking, and a strong game-driven storyline to the mix.

The puzzles are good (though not too hard) and add to the plot instead of just being tossed in to give players something to do. The environment is wonderful for exploring and players should make notes of what they've done to help get through some of the harder puzzles and challenges.

The one down-side of the game is the rather cumbersome (and, for a game featuring a college professor and a cryptologist as the main characters, unrealistic) combat system.

All in all, if you are a fan of the old Sierra and LucasArts type adventure games, I think you will enjoy this one.

This game is fun. The puzzles are hard and I used [...] to get through the cryptography ones, but the rest are fun. The game follows the basic story as the book: fonding the grail (Mary) but goes to different places. While at the different areas you will see different painting and learn about ancient civilizations not metioned in the book (like Roman gods and goddeses) and are able to look at the stuff you seen in a menue where you can read more about them. This is one of two features I love about this game. The other feature is the fights where you press a series of bottons to knock out your enemys. It is quite fun! I would never think Robert Langdon would be beating up police and monks! I only rented this game and i have not beaten it, BUT I LOVE IT!

It's not the storyline or the puzzles that I hated (those were actually interesting and fun), it was the overall gameplay. I love adventure games because I can sit back, relax and solve puzzles, find clues, etc. But, instead it was a frustrating experience. First, who puts combat in an adventure game? That's just ridiculous.

Speaking of combat, in the middle of fights with security guards at the Louvre, I would continuously get pop-ups telling me which buttons to use. This was okay the first time, but come on, during EVERY fight? There were other annoyances like I couldn't open a door while holding a gun, but I couldn't drop it either. I had to restart my game to go through the door. Also, while walking the other person follows so close that you have to constantly keep trying to get out of the way.

Conclusion: I broke the DVD, stuck it in the box, and threw it away. I was going to resell it, but I wouldn't be that mean to someone. This is literally the worst game I have ever played. I would give it -5 stars. Yep, I hated it that much.

Amazing game!!!!!!!!!I really hated the movie,but the game (and the book) are GREAT!I love mysteries of all kind!I also love to solve riddles and puzzles,especially the hard and dark ones!Totally worth the money and purchase!I also love the Music,Genre,and the whole plot!!This would make a great game to those of you who love riddles,action, and mysteries!!:)
(EXCELLENT JOB PUBLISHER 2K GAMES!!!)

I just LOVE this game and can play it over and over. It has everything. Great graphics and sound affects, mystery, puzzels, action...
I don't understand how anybody can give this game a 1 star review, honestly. In this game you really have to use your head.

Please note that these apply to the PC version of this game.

Despite falling well within the limits of the minimum specifications (2.5 GHz P4, 1 GB RAM, Radeon 9700 Pro 128 MB) the game has some of the most awful video glitches I've ever seen. Updates to the video drivers were no help either. To make things worse, there are no patches available either.

It is obvious that 2K Games had this title rushed out to cash in on the movie, paying little attention to trying to test compatibility with anything beyond their development systems. Granted, this system is no longer state of the art, but if they can't be bothered to beta test long enough to figure out accurate system requirements, why should we be forced to swallow this terrible state of quality?

Shameful.

I played the Da Vinci Code with some doubt thinking that it would not be very great. But, It is actually a very good game. It follows the book where you play as Robert and Sophie. It is really intelligently made with difficult puzzles and smart battle sequences where you have to hit certain buttons to pull off a good combo. There is also the stealth mode where u have to escape from cops or sneak past a certain area. Of course there are some cool weapons to pick up. There are some flaws though.... First there is the camera. You constantly have to keep your and on the right analog stick to move the camera. Second.. the characters move to slow. There running looks like it is in slow motion. Lastly, the puzzles, even though they are fun, can be really hard and somewhat frustrating. But those are really minor flaws. I give this GAME A 4.5 ACTUALLY because it is fun, smart, addicting, and somewhat frightening (not really scary though). The game is overall great and exciting.

First off, I loved Dan Brown's book. It was a really well written piece of work. But this game.........OH MY GOD!!! Okay, so I don't completely lose my control, I'll list my opinions in a good and bad list.

THE GOOD
- GOOD IDEA
- PUZZLES ALSO A GOOD IDEA
- STEALTH WORKS
- WEAPONS WORK

THE BAD
- THE VOICEOVERS
- THE CHARACTERS THAT LOOK NOTHING LIKE THEIR COUNTERPARTS
- THE COMBAT SYSTEM IS HORRIBLE
- THE GRAPHICS ARE VERY, VERY BLAND
- WHILE YOU'RE ATTACKING A GUARD, ONE OF HIS LITTLE BUDDIES RUNS OVER AND GRABS YOU, THEREFORE PREVENTING THE ATTACK

Overall, this was a good idea that could've been a lot better. Actually, I think 2K Games should've just gotten their dirty little paws off of this game and left it at the book. This really isn't a game at all. It's a piece of crap!!