The Da Vinci Code

 Xbox
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 34
  3. Negative: 13 out of 34
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  1. Next Level Gaming
    73
    Overall, my biggest complaint is that the game seemed to drag on. It can be tough to pace a game that relies so heavily on puzzle-solving, but this game seemed really dull at points.
  2. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    72
    If you're a newcomer to the phenomenon of all this Jesus-themed, impossible code-breaking malarkey you'll find parts of The Da Vinci Code pretty bloody annoying. However, you'll find more to like as you explore, especially if you enjoyed Broken Sword.
  3. eToychest
    68
    The Da Vinci Code isn't the worst game based on a movie, but its dependence on puzzles and unbalanced action make it hard to recommend to anyone but the the most devout fan of the source material or those who simply can't get enough of puzzle-based adventure games.
  5. The New York Times
    67
    Because I like puzzles, I enjoyed much of Da Vinci despite its flaws. But there are many of them, and the game's sloppy implementation can be seen in a number of questionable design decisions.
  6. TeamXbox
    67
    There's plenty for diehard fans of The Da Vinci Code to enjoy within the game, then again, there's a ton of stuff that will have the common gamer bored to tears.
  7. Worth Playing
    67
    The puzzles are the meat of the gameplay, but it feels the need to make you kill time between puzzles by sneaking past idiots or beating the snot out of invalids.
  8. Da Gameboyz
    65
    For hardcore puzzle solvers, or fans of either the book or movie, I would recommend this game, but I think the average gamer won't give the title the time to really crack the code.
  9. GameSpot
    65
    Offers a challenging and varied gameplay experience that will satisfy the amateur cryptographer in everyone. However, the game is brought down by subpar production values and a dialogue-heavy story that has a tendency to drag at times.
  10. Game Chronicles
    61
    Just when I thought the movie-license curse was starting to lift, The Da Vinci Code reminds us that it takes great gameplay to make a great game – not a lot of media hype and overrated source material.
  11. Gamezilla!
    60
    It looks nice, plays well if you can avoid combat, and has enough puzzles to keep you intrigued for a while.
  12. Game Informer
    60
    It feels like National Geographic and Ultimate Fighting mushed together in a bad, bad way. [July 2006, p.106]
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  13. Cheat Code Central
    60
    The combat is kind of strange. It doesn't seem congruent given the subject matter. It's like adding a new book to the Bible called, Popeye.
  14. GameZone
    59
    The video-game translation offers just a scrap of the mystery and intrigue brought on by the book and film, and will most likely frustrate you more often than it rewards you.
  15. DarkStation
    50
    Better stick to the book as this game proves to be too simplistic and dull to be of any fun.
  16. Pro-G
    50
    So then, another Hollywood movie, and another so-so game based on it. The Da Vinci Code has the right heritage but unfortunately suffers from the same disease as many of its ilk - it has been rushed to meet a release date without receiving the kind of polish that could have made a great game out of the subject matter.
  17. Kombo
    50
    You can smell games like this coming from a mile away.
  18. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    50
    The whole thing takes about 10 hours to play, and with little to no replay value, this doesn't exactly represent fantastic value for money. Overall, the Da Vinci Code game is like a disappointing pleasure cruise, with one or two sunny islands floating in a big, grey sea of tedium.
  19. GamePro
    50
    Perhaps one of the most boring games to ever grace a home console...The horrendous combat and boring mission objectives really don't take the game in any fun directions. Apparently the code is all about putting you to sleep.

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best Xbox Game of 2006
32
#32 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
2.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 4 out of 5
  1. Spartan234
    Aug 1, 2006
    1
    Yet another awful movie-licensed game -- it's not like The Da Vinci Code would make a good game, anyways; the subject matter is best Yet another awful movie-licensed game -- it's not like The Da Vinci Code would make a good game, anyways; the subject matter is best suited for cinema. In addition to the bad gameplay, The Da Vinci Code is also a buggy mess and has some of the worst combat ever seen in an action/adventure game. The AI for the security guards is so bad that you can just play this like a run-'n-gun shooter and forget the stealth elements.… Full Review »
  2. xamox
    Jul 6, 2006
    3
    quite boring and the puzzles aren't very intutive.
  3. BrianK.
    May 19, 2006
    1
    Like watching a badly animated movie of the plot of the book, minus the characterization or action. Occasionally you get to move around a few Like watching a badly animated movie of the plot of the book, minus the characterization or action. Occasionally you get to move around a few steps. Seriously, I'd imagine a colonoscopy to be more fun.… Full Review »
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