Alana's Old Favorites and New Discoveries - March 2024
Hi all! I’m Alana, and I’m the Adult Programs Coordinator for Ida Rupp Library. My blog posts will consist of older favorites and recommendations along with new finds in the wide world of entertainment. I never limit myself based on audience or genre, so whatever your preference, I hope I can help you find your next watch, read, listen, or play-through!
This month, I’m delving into one of my old favorites with the Professor Layton series. There are a total of six video games in the main franchise, all of which were originally released on the Nintendo DS and 3DS systems. This Japanese puzzle-adventure series follows archaeology professor Hershel Layton and his young apprentice, Luke Triton, as they travel far and wide to solve mysteries. The professor is a true English gentleman, always going out of his way to help others and keeping a level head even in dire circumstances. Rarely is he seen without his distinctive top hat.
The first game in the series, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, was released in 2007 to positive reviews and over 3 million units sold worldwide. Critics were impressed by the game’s feature film-quality animated cut scenes and challenging puzzles, two aspects that would continue to appear in later entries and directly contribute to series popularity with players around the world. It was also lauded for its appeal across all age groups – challenging enough for adults to find value in playing, yet easy to understand and entertaining for younger players. This entry follows Luke and the Professor as they uncover the truth about the village of St. Mystere and its curious residents. I received this game as a Christmas gift in 2008 and was immediately hooked, although I wouldn’t have the opportunity to play other games in the series until much later. I played through Curious Village many times over the years, and even now it holds a special place in my heart as my favorite childhood video game.
The brainteasers and puzzles in these games are the focal point in progressing through your investigations. In order to unlock doors, escape dangerous traps, befriend locals, and access pertinent information, puzzles must be solved. I was voracious for knowledge in those days (and still am!), and I loved puzzles, brainteasers, riddles, and the like, so this was right up my alley. I was also completely obsessed with the soundtrack for the games, especially for Curious Village; something about the use of the accordion and the eerie yet intriguing vibe of each track still stirs up a strong nostalgia every time I hear it.
The full series is as follows: Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007), Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (2007), Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (2008), Professor Layton and the Last Specter (2009), Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (2011), Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy (2013). The professor was incredibly popular in his heyday, garnering six original games, two spin-offs, a crossover with Ace Attorney protagonist Phoenix Wright in 2014, a 50-episode animated show, a movie, and more top hat-themed merchandise than you could shake a stick at. For many Layton fans, the most exciting development is an announcement from February 2023 that a new game featuring the Professor and Luke, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, is slated for a Nintendo Switch release sometime in 2025, over a decade after the last game was released in 2013.
For those who want to experience these unique games for themselves, many entries are available on Nintendo DS or 3DS through our online catalog. No console? No problem! If you’re willing to spend the money ($9.99 per game), the original trilogy of Curious Village, Diabolical Box, and Unwound Future has also been remastered and released through Apple’s App Store/Google’s Play Store for mobile players. If you prefer a free alternative, or just want to see what gameplay is like before you decide, YouTube has a number of Professor Layton play-through videos by lots of different creators. There is truly something for everyone in these games, whether young or old – but be aware that each entry usually takes anywhere from 25 to 30 hours of playtime to complete the main storyline!
If you have played, are currently playing, or plan on playing any of these games for yourself, feel free to reach out! I love this series with my entire heart and would love to talk about it with fellow players. Happy gaming!
