[Review] Professor Layton and the Curious Village

[Suinia]

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Professor and the Curious Game

Whimsical characters and hand-drawn art style. But what’s the game play like?

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Cost- $37-55 (Canadian)
Publisher-Nintendo
Console- Nintendo DS
Players- 1 player
Type- Adventure, and Puzzle.
ESRB Rating- E for Everyone.

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It begins with the death of a wealthy baron and a staunchly foreboding will that indicates the remainder of his treasure lies hidden, hidden within the mysteries and clues within St. Mystere itself. This is when a renown scholar known for his mastery of riddles and problems in general is called to hopefully shed some light on the matter. Aided by his trusty apprentice, Luke, can the two of them really succeed in discovering the dark secret? The dark secret that involves each and every strange riddle-giving citizen of St. Mystere as well as the entire village and its existence itself?



As for storyline, the game presents a unique and intriguing narrative that honestly left me guessing until the very end. The secret itself was a shock, but made complete and logical sense. The game also possesses an interesting mastery of a wide range of different characters (each with their own unique and comical (although a bit cliché at times) personalities) all hand drawn and animated in a curious European style. The game’s mechanics themselves revolve around solving various ‘riddles’ or ‘puzzles’ given at various logical intervals (AE: Having to solve a lock-opening riddle to open a door) and other less-logical riddles given randomly by the riddle-loving village people themselves. In other words, you want information from someone? Then solve a riddle. It’s a simple as that. However, solving these little conundrums also warrant various prizes such as furniture to decorate Layton’s and Luke’s little rooms inside a hotel-esque location.



In terms of game play… that’s pretty much it. The game offers over two hundred different puzzles all solved with different or riddles with similar concepts with increasing difficulty. Additionally, more ‘harder’ riddles can be unlocked through collecting special items or completing various side-quests in game. All and all, you’re in for a real treat for… your… well… brain.



In addition to a compelling text-driven dialogue, the game also offers short animated cut scenes drawn in the nostalgic style that the rest of the game exhibits flawlessly. To be honest, I found this a very nice break from ‘HIGH END SUPER EPIC 3-D’ graphics as the game highlights cheery artwork in 2D glory as well as smoothly animated characters showing some limited facial expressions as needed. Frankly, I really liked this style of artwork. It wasn’t pretending to be super 3D and occurs rather like a first person point-and-click adventure. (With some riddles unlocked by clicking seemingly… random places…) Frankly, I find that most ‘next-gen’ games simply possess decent 3D graphics with a freaking lot of glare and glow all over the place. So when a little game like this comes along without even TRYING to match those sorts of graphics yet is still appealing visually in 3D, I got to give them credit. Given the limits of the DS, they managed to pull the visuals off very nicely.



As for replay ability, the game allows you to have three separate files (should you choose to start the entire game over again) but also has a journal-like feature which allows you to track and play any previous riddles that you’ve unlocked. Again, while collecting various items in game, it allows you to unlock ADDITIONAL riddles at a much harder level. Additionally if you choose to connect your DS to the internet with this game, new riddles released weekly can be downloaded for free.



As for the issues with this game… The difficulty curve is HUGE. There are some riddles which are painstakingly easy while the majority are EXTREMELY hard and take either a HUGE amount of time determining and working out through (sometimes) trial and error or through seeking external help form family and friends. LUCKILY the game possesses a hint-like feature which allows players to collect little ‘hint’ coins which are obtainable through randomly clicking objects in the painting-like environment. However, everyone is limited to three hints per riddle and some of the hints can be rather useless.



All and all, there really isn’t that much else in the game. And frankly, if you’re looking for a game with high octane, blood flowing all over the damn place, a game with ‘innovative’ graphics but really looks like normal graphics with the glare and contrast as well as white glows turned up WAY to freaking much, then this game is NOT for you. If you like fighting, dismantling, raping, causing evil in general or any of that sort of thing then this game is NOT for you. If you enjoy playing or reading a generally compelling story with interesting characters (some with mild voice overs), enjoy painting-styled and generally unique European-ish graphics, then this game IS for you. If you want to play a generally relaxing game (except when you get so frustrated for not solving a riddle) with a decent sound track, then again, this game IS for you.

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Positives:
-Different graphics styled in a painting-like theme
-Unique character design and art style
-Some side quests that unlock additional riddles
-A LOT of riddles
-A decent and unique storyline
-Compelling and interesting characters
-The two main characters have British accents
-Decent music
-A WIDE variety of puzzles
-Decently varied environments

Negatives:
-Not 3D, graphics are not “high-end”
-Storyline can seem slow at times
-Objectives can be unclear
-HUGE difficulty curve.
-Some of the music can get plain annoying and repetitive

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Graphics: 8/10
-Unique, you can tell which game it is simply by seeing a screenshot
-Cutesy characters and smooth animation in terms of facial expression and cut scenes
-Nothing hugely innovative, but quite nice considering the limitations of the D.S.

Sound: 8/10
-Suitable sound
-Some voice overs, although, some can get rather repetitive
-Cut scene sound is smooth and effective
-Decent sound track

Game play: 7/10
-Huge difficulty curve
-Some riddles can be tediously over used
-Decent storyline
-Nice amount of side quests

Playtime: 7/10
-Depends on the player
-Can be RATHER lenghtly considering the HUGE amount of riddles
-Some interesting plot twists
-Some shocks and such, decent cutscenes

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"Definitely not for everyone. Worth a look if you like puzzles”.

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[Serph]

Awesome review. Although, I don't think this is my kind of game personally, you made it sound quite interesting for puzzle lovers indeed.

[Zestibles]

Professor Gayton and the Bi-Curious Village.

Nice review, the score picture could be at a better reolution though.

[Vance]

Nice review, added to the index :]

[Suinia]

Hey xD

It's a different sort of game and I applaud them for doing so

It has a better storyline then a lot of those high-guts-and-gore games for sure D:

But yay directory xD

Also if you're interested in this game, a sequal is said to be announced. (Released relatively soon? Although I don't know the exact game to be honest :V)

Called something like: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

I know I'll be getting it 8-O

Edit: I'll probably also change the score image to better quality e_e
Only able to utilize a computer at the moment with limited graphics/resolution editting capacity :V
In short, this computer sucks Dx

[LoveBlue]

Nice review~

I loved this game. Can't wait for the second one to come out. 8D

[Khelpa]

next ones coming out in the end of august

[Suinia]

Stg 10:

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