[Pressemitteilung] Details zu Secrets of Da Vinci
Verfasst: 15.02.2006, 21:15
A major co-production between Nobilis, Elektrogames, TOTM Studio, Kheops Studio, Mzone Studio, in collaboration with the Château du Clos Lucé, The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript is due for release on PC in April 2006
LEONARDO DA VINCI
The Italian artist and inventor was born in Tuscany in 1452. At the age of 15, he joined the Verrochio workshop where he trained in a range of disciplines (painting, sculpture, mathematics, decorative work). In 1481, Leonardo left Florence for Milan, where he stayed until 1499. From 1506, he divided his time between Milan and Florence. In 1516, he accepted the invitation of François I, king of France, to move to the Manoir du Cloux, near Ambroise, now known as Château du Clos Lucé, where he was named "chief artist, engineer, and architect to the King". In His Majesty’s own words: "You will be free here to dream, think and work." Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519 and bequeathed all his technical notes to Francesco Melzi, his pupil and faithful companion, so that they might be published and made useful to as many people as possible.
STORY
Valdo, an ambitious young apprentice working for Da Vinci's disciple Francesco Melzi, is extremely disappointed when the scholar suddenly dismisses him. However, shortly afterwards, he receives a letter from a mysterious patron, asking him to locate one of the great master's missing codices. To access Da Vinci's last residence, the Manoir du Cloux near Ambroise, Valdo tells its new occupant, a courtesan by the name of Babou de la Bourdaisière, that he is Francesco Melzi's apprentice and that he wishes to examine the inventions that still remain on the estate.
Under this cover, he starts to scour the estate: Babou's bedroom, Leonardo's workshop, the grounds, and dovecot, leaving no stone unturned. In the course of his investigations, he encounters a wide array of intriguing characters: Babou herself, Saturnin, a suspicious looking guardian, and the King of France himself. To accomplish his mission, he has to solve a series of enigmas devised by the great master himself if Da Vinci's inventions are to function again. On the trail of the genius, Valdo is no more aware of the secrets he is about to unveil as of the danger lurking in the dark.
FEATURES
The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript was developed in exclusive partnership with the Château du Clos Lucé (formerly the Manoir du Cloux), Leonardo da Vinci's last residence. The Clos Lucé is today listed among France’s most famous monuments. The involvement of the estate’s owners guarantees the utmost historical respect of the game, and has enabled perfect modelisation of the estate and Da Vinci’s work.
GENERAL INFORMATION
LEONARDO DA VINCI
The Italian artist and inventor was born in Tuscany in 1452. At the age of 15, he joined the Verrochio workshop where he trained in a range of disciplines (painting, sculpture, mathematics, decorative work). In 1481, Leonardo left Florence for Milan, where he stayed until 1499. From 1506, he divided his time between Milan and Florence. In 1516, he accepted the invitation of François I, king of France, to move to the Manoir du Cloux, near Ambroise, now known as Château du Clos Lucé, where he was named "chief artist, engineer, and architect to the King". In His Majesty’s own words: "You will be free here to dream, think and work." Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519 and bequeathed all his technical notes to Francesco Melzi, his pupil and faithful companion, so that they might be published and made useful to as many people as possible.
STORY
Valdo, an ambitious young apprentice working for Da Vinci's disciple Francesco Melzi, is extremely disappointed when the scholar suddenly dismisses him. However, shortly afterwards, he receives a letter from a mysterious patron, asking him to locate one of the great master's missing codices. To access Da Vinci's last residence, the Manoir du Cloux near Ambroise, Valdo tells its new occupant, a courtesan by the name of Babou de la Bourdaisière, that he is Francesco Melzi's apprentice and that he wishes to examine the inventions that still remain on the estate.
Under this cover, he starts to scour the estate: Babou's bedroom, Leonardo's workshop, the grounds, and dovecot, leaving no stone unturned. In the course of his investigations, he encounters a wide array of intriguing characters: Babou herself, Saturnin, a suspicious looking guardian, and the King of France himself. To accomplish his mission, he has to solve a series of enigmas devised by the great master himself if Da Vinci's inventions are to function again. On the trail of the genius, Valdo is no more aware of the secrets he is about to unveil as of the danger lurking in the dark.
FEATURES
- Total immersion guaranteed, through atmosphere, soundtrack and perfect modelisation of historic locations, such as the Manoir du Cloux, Leonardo da Vinci’s workshop and the Château d'Amboise.
- A gripping, non-linear and complex plot, based on historical facts and extensive research.
- Meticulously detailed graphics with a total respect for history. Perfect reproductions of works, decors and clothing, recreated in collaboration with experts, including the management of the Château du Clos Lucé.
- Complex characters with distinct personalities and hidden dimensions: Valdo, Saturnin, François I, Babou de la Bourdaisière, Hector… and Leonardo da Vinci himself.
- The game’s 14 chapters lead deep into the heart of the Great Master’s Secret.
- Dozens of puzzles, based on Da Vinci’s own work, requiring logical deduction and scientific knowledge.
- An interactive inventory system for collectables ensure a game that is easy to pick up.
- A Good and Evil gauge system: the player develops throughout the game adopting a positive or negative stance. According to the choices they make, players discover one of four possible endings.
- The portfolio, a game within a game, used by players to store manuscripts found along the way for printing, giving access to puzzles and clues.
- The player also has a journal to keep track of objectives, sketch the characters encountered and note down impressions about them.
- The developers’ renowned savoir-faire. Their list of previous productions includes Return to Mysterious Island, Journey to the Moon, Secret of the Lost Cavern.
- The Secrets of Da Vinci: the Forbidden Manuscript is a quest back through time in search of jealously protected manuscripts.
The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript was developed in exclusive partnership with the Château du Clos Lucé (formerly the Manoir du Cloux), Leonardo da Vinci's last residence. The Clos Lucé is today listed among France’s most famous monuments. The involvement of the estate’s owners guarantees the utmost historical respect of the game, and has enabled perfect modelisation of the estate and Da Vinci’s work.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Co-producers: Nobilis, Elektrogames, TOTM Studio, Kheops Studio, Mzone Studio
- Publisher: Nobilis
- Release date: 21st April 2006
- Format: PC
- Genre: Point & Click Adventure
- RRP: 39.99 €
- Age rating: +7 (TBC)
- 1 player
- Minimum system requirements: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP - Pentium III 800 Mhz - 64 MB of Ram - 1.2 GB of free space one hard drive - CD-ROM 16x - 64MB video card (compatible ©DirectX 9)