Alicia Quatermain 4: Da Vinci and the Time Machine (Collector’s Edition)

Alicia Quatermain 4: Da Vinci and the Time Machine (Collector’s Edition) is an adventure game that combines time management and strategy as players join Alicia Quatermain and Leonardo da Vinci on a thrilling journey through time. The game features a variety of historical and mythical locations, including the Louvre, Ancient Egypt, and the lost city of Atlantis. This Collector’s Edition includes the base game, an additional set of 11 levels in the Louvre, a strategy guide, and wallpapers.

Alicia Quatermain 4: Da Vinci and the Time Machine (Collector’s Edition): Review

Introduction

In a gaming landscape dominated by open-world epics and competitive shooters, Alicia Quatermain 4: Da Vinci and the Time Machine (Collector’s Edition) carves out a niche as a whimsical yet strategic time-management adventure. Released in 2019 by JetDogs Studios and Whalebox Studio, this fourth installment in the Alicia Quatermain series merges historical fantasy with resource-management mechanics, inviting players to fix temporal ruptures alongside Leonardo da Vinci. While its premise brims with creativity, the game struggles to transcend the limitations of its genre—offering a charming but uneven experience for casual gamers and series devotees alike.

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Development History & Context

Studio Vision and Constraints
JetDogs Studios, known for titles like 12 Labours of Hercules and Alicia Quatermain 3, aimed to refine the series’ formula with Da Vinci and the Time Machine. The studio targeted casual players with its accessible design, leaning into a “diagonal-down” perspective and mouse-driven interface to accommodate low-spec PCs (minimum requirements: 1.6 GHz CPU, 512 MB RAM). Developed alongside Whalebox Studio, the Collector’s Edition expanded content with 11 Louvre-themed levels and digital extras, signaling a focus on replayability.

2019’s Gaming Landscape
The game debuted in an era dominated by live-service titles and narrative-driven indies. Yet, its time-management mechanics and bite-sized levels catered to a nostalgic audience—a demographic underserved by mainstream trends. However, its lack of multiplayer or procedural elements highlighted its adherence to classic casual design, a double-edged sword in a market increasingly favoring innovation.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot Summary
The story begins with Leonardo da Vinci’s time machine malfunctioning, stranding his lover Cecilia in the past and catapulting him to the future. Enter Alicia Quatermain, a young adventurer tasked with repairing temporal rifts across history. Their journey spans five acts: the Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis, a secret lab, the South Pole, and Ancient Egypt, culminating in a Louvre heist to recover Da Vinci’s encrypted blueprints.

Characters and Themes
Alicia serves as a plucky, resourceful protagonist, while Da Vinci embodies the “eccentric genius” archetype. Their dynamic leans into humor and camaraderie, though dialogue often lacks depth. Thematically, the game explores collaboration (players manage workers and allies) and historical reverence, albeit through a fantastical lens—Atlantis and Egypt are reimagined as vibrant puzzle boxes rather than authentic recreations.

Missed Opportunities
While the time-travel premise is fertile ground for moral dilemmas (e.g., altering history), the narrative opts for lighthearted escapism. Cecilia’s rescue is a MacGuffin, and the stakes feel weightless—a stark contrast to the genre’s more emotionally resonant titles like Life is Strange.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Loop and Time Management
The gameplay revolves around:
1. Resource Collection: Gather food, gold, and materials to build workshops, mines, and kitchens.
2. Task Completion: Clear roadblocks, rescue NPCs, and activate devices under tight time limits.
3. Bonus Objectives: Discover hidden puzzle pieces (one per level) to unlock photo puzzles and bonus stages.

The Collector’s Edition adds 11 Louvre levels, emphasizing stealth-like mechanics (disabling alarms, avoiding guards), a departure from the base game’s focus on resource management.

Difficulty Modes
– Easy: No time limits, ideal for beginners.
– Normal: Balanced challenges for veterans.
– Difficult: Punishing timers demand precision.

Flaws and Frustrations
– UI Issues: Players noted tiny text and unclear resource counters (Steam reviews).
– Repetition: Objectives like “press buttons” or “clear roads” grow monotonous across 50+ levels.
– AI Pathfinding: Workers occasionally stall or prioritize tasks inefficiently.

Innovations
– Outfit System: Alicia’s costumes grant buffs (e.g., faster movement), adding light RPG elements.
– Museum Mini-Game: Earn stars to restore artworks, rewarding completionists.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Design
The game’s “stunning full HD graphics” (per Steam) feature cartoony, brightly colored environments. Atlantis dazzles with aquatic blues and glowing corals, while Ancient Egypt leans on golden sands and monolithic temples. However, textures feel dated, and character models lack detail—likely concessions to its modest system requirements.

Sound Design
The soundtrack blends upbeat melodies with period-appropriate motifs (e.g., Egyptian flutes). While serviceable, tracks loop frequently, risking listener fatigue. Sound effects—like clinking tools or crackling time machines—are satisfying but unremarkable.

Atmosphere
The game excels in whimsy, not immersion. Locations like the Louvre or South Pole are playful backdrops rather than lived-in worlds, prioritizing function (obstacle-filled levels) over narrative depth.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception
– Mixed Reviews: Steam users praised its “relaxing” pace (63% positive) but criticized repetitive design.
– Niche Appeal: Fans of the series and genre applauded its level variety, while mainstream critics largely ignored it.
– Sales Data: No exact figures, but its bundling in collections (e.g., GameFools’ $19.99 Alicia Quatermain bundle) suggests modest success.

Legacy
The game’s influence is subtle but discernible. Its blend of time management and light adventure elements inspired later titles like New Lands: Shadow of Alvaria, though it hasn’t achieved the cultural footprint of peers like Plant vs. Zombies. For JetDogs, it reinforced their reputation as custodians of casual strategy games.

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Conclusion

Alicia Quatermain 4: Da Vinci and the Time Machine (Collector’s Edition) is a flawed yet endearing entry in the time-management genre. Its inventive premise, charming art style, and wealth of content (60+ levels with bonuses) make it a worthwhile pickup for casual gamers—especially at its budget price point. However, dated visuals, repetitive tasks, and underdeveloped narrative hold it back from greatness.

In video game history, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of bite-sized strategy games, even as the industry marches toward grander ambitions. For those seeking a low-stakes adventure through time, Alicia’s journey delivers—but don’t expect a revolution.

Final Verdict: 7/10 – A solid, if unremarkable, time-management romp best suited for genre enthusiasts and completionists.