The Adventures of Professor Layton

Whether or not you own a DS, once in a while you words 'Professor Layton' may brush by you. Exactly who is Professor Layton? Graduating from the most prestigious university which will not be named at the spry age of 16, it was no mystery that this man was remarkably bright. Earning every single honour humanly possible, Layton went on to become a world-renowned scientist, detective, and professor for philosophy and sciences, as well as achieving multiple awards for his works and papers. Now 36, Professor -- or, to be more accurate, Dr. Layton resides in a politically neutral zone, where he spends most of his time developing ground-breaking technologies, while simultaneously writing best-selling books about the mysteries of life, the universe, and everything. But of course only in his free time from teaching classes at an extremely prestigious and unnamed university.

Now, you may be asking yourself, if this man, this extraordinary Messiah, is so famous, then how come I, the audience who is currently thinking to him or herself this question, have never heard of him anywhere? Well, it's simple, really. The reason Layton is generally unheard of in the media and around the world is because (pause)... he doesn't exist. That's right. Layton is a pigment of our imagination, in which I just created while writing the introduction to this article. Why? I don't know. I guess I just like making excruciatingly long articles. Anyways. But, although this man does not exist in our world, it does not mean he doesn't exist at all. Co-starring the aptly named Professor Layton series, an amazing (so far) series of puzzle games on the DS developed by Level-5.

Professor Layton is but a humble 'professor', although it's not quite clear why he holds that title, other than the fact that he is really smart, and that he knows a lot of puzzles. A lot of puzzles. I mean, it would be hard to walk 5 meters (or yards, whatever) with him without having to answer on of his puzzles. You wouldn't want him at your grandmother's funeral because when he sees the casket he'll be all like "Say, do you know the process of which a casket is made? Well, here's a riddle for you to figure out...", and then -- OK, enough digression.

Where was I? Ah yes. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by myself, the Professor Layton series is a fantastic bunch of puzzle games, where you follow Professor Layton, played by himself, as he explores mysteries in an intriguing storyline accompanied by his trusty sidekick, Luke, who is just as annoying with just as many puzzles under his hat. (speaking of hats, Professor Layton's hat is just the bomb -- google him, you'll see what I mean.)

So, why am I writing about this? Other than telling you that's it's a great game and if you ever get the chance, you should buy it, the reason I'm writing about this is because it just so happens to be the North American release of the second game in the four-part series; Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, which follows the gang after the exciting and unexpected twists and turns of the first game, Professor Layton and the Curious Village. The gameplay, which consists solely of solving puzzles and watching the story unfold (although your role in the story is not as passive as what I'm describing) is fantastic and surprisingly not dull at all, but that's only part of the game. The real treat of these games are the storylines, which, when you first wander into the game, seem simple and no big deal, but, as you explore and talk to NPC's, becomes much, much more than you bargained for.

Overall, the first game was fantastic, and the second in the series changes nothing of the core gameplay, while still delivering a great new game. But really, the only way to understand is to try it out. In stores now, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box.