Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box - Review
Info on New 2nd Layton Puzzle & Mystery Game for Nintendo DS and DSi
Sep 14, 2009
Nintendo's Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box for DS and DSi systems is a mystery and puzzle-solving game, newly released in August 2009.
Though the Diabolical Box is the second in the Professor Layton series, this particular game easily stands alone. Fans of Professor Layton and the Curious Village (the first in Nintendo's Professor Layton series) will be pleased to find this new adventure to be as entertaining, challenging and baffling as its predecessor, if not even more so. As one player put it in an Amazon website review, “This game has surpassed my expectations.”
Quality of Professor Layton’s Diabolical Box DS Game
Once again, the clever Professor Layton and his eager young apprentice, Luke, are drawn into a perplexing whodunit. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is an adventure and puzzle game, with the player guiding the movements of the duo through a strange and mysterious quest full of intriguing characters, various settings, and peculiar situations.
The animation, characters, and storyline in Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box are exceptionally well thought-out. While the plot of the mystery is very interesting, it is not based in reality. This does make for an entertaining story and keeps players guessing throughout game play.
The Diabolical Box outshines the original game in the series, with higher quality graphics, impressive cut-scenes, and appealing non-player characters (NPCs). All of the character voices are expressive and well delivered, there are more areas to explore, and the animation is top-notch. The games and brainteasers are smart, different, and often amusing.
Nintendo’s New Game Offers Tricky Puzzles and Brainteasers
In order to advance in the game, players interact with non-player characters and work out clever puzzles interlaced throughout the main story. These interactions and puzzles eventually lead to solving the larger mystery. Some of these challenges are quickly solved, while others can stump even the most experienced of gamers (at least for a while).
There is no time limit on solving the puzzles and hints are available if needed. There are over 150 logic puzzles and brain-benders for players looking for critical thinking challenges, various learning opportunities, and just plain fun.
After the game is completed and the case is unraveled, there is still more to enjoy. Of the 153 brainteasers available, only 80 are required to solve the main mystery. That leaves many extra puzzles and mini-games to explore after getting to the bottom of the mystery.
For the first 33 weeks after game launch, players may download one new puzzle each week through the Nintendo’s Wi-Fi connection. These games may be previewed on the Nintendo website.
Rated E and a Good Game for Kids, Teens and Adults
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is rated E for everyone ages 10 and up. Ten-year-olds may need assistance with the more difficult puzzles. To play, one must have good reading and vocabulary skills. The Diabolical Box also requires logic and some concentration.
Even adults are getting into this game. One mom has trouble putting it down long enough to do her household chores. (Amazon Review, August 2009)
Nintendo has reached a new high with their superbly executed and extremely clever DS and DSi game Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box. Four more Layton games are planned, to make a series of six. Available in stores and online, this second game is ready to challenge and engage curious minds.
Further Information:
Nintendo - Publisher
LEVEL-5 - Developer
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