Professor Layton (series)

Infobox VG
title = Professor Layton series


developer = Level-5
publisher = vgrelease|Japan|JP|Level-5
vgrelease|North America|NA|Nintendo
designer =
engine =
released =The Curious Village
Pandora's Box
The Last Time Travel

genre = Adventure/Puzzle game, Interactive novel
modes = Single player
ratings = vgratings|CERO=A|ESRB=E
platforms = Nintendo DS
media =
requirements =
input =The "Professor Layton" series (nihongo|"Reiton-kyōju series"|レイトン教授シリーズ), is a puzzle game video game series for the Nintendo DS, consisting of three games.

Each title is based in a series of puzzles and mysteries given by the citizens of towns that the main characters visit. It is not necessary to solve all the puzzles in order to progress, but a certain number are mandatory.

History

"Professor Layton" was a direct result of Akihiro Hino's childhood love of Akira Tago's popular "Mental Gymnastics" series of puzzle books, which have sold more than 12 million copies to date in Japan.

Games

#nihongo|"Professor Layton and the Curious Village"|レイトン教授と不思議な町 [cite website |url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1185257_1124.html |title=Level 5's new game's genre is unknown? New style game to train your brain |publisher=Famitsu |accessdate=2008-01-02 |language=Japanese]
#nihongo|"Professor Layton and Pandora's Box"|レイトン教授と悪魔の箱 cite website |url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1209751_1124.html |title= Layton Kyoju and the Devil's Box becomes a movie quality |publisher=Famitsu |accessdate=2008-01-02 |language=Japanese]
#nihongo|"Professor Layton and the Last Time Travel"|レイトン教授と最後の時間旅行

For "Pandora's Box", the Japan-only "Level-5 Premium Silver/Gold" collections on Nintendo DS included an exclusive side-story, nihongo|"Professor Layton and the Holiday in London"|レイトン教授とロンドンの休日 in addition to the actual game and another Level-5 game, "Inazuma Eleven". The "Holiday in London" includes ten puzzles, some of which are from the first game, and a short storyline, set in Layton's London office, in which the Professor reminisces about his previous adventures around the world.

Main characters

*Professor Hershel Layton (Original voice by Yō Ōizumi, English voice by Christopher Miller):An English gentleman and one of the protagonists, notable for his skills at solving puzzles, as well as his signature top hat.
*Luke (Original voice by Maki Horikita, English voice by Lani Minella):The other protagonist, Luke is Layton's assistant and apprentice.
*Flora Reinhold (Original voice by Mamiko Noto):An orphaned young lady whom Layton and Luke met during the events of the first game, and since then lives with them. Her name is Aroma in the Japanese version.
*Inspector Chelmey (Original voice by Shiro Saito):A famous detective who was impersonated by Don Paolo in the first game, but appears as himself in the second one.
*Don Paolo:A mad scientist who was banished from the scientific community due to illegal practices, and declares himself as Layton's arch-enemy.

New characters in "Pandora's Box"

*Anthony (Original voice by Takao Ōsawa):An "immortal vampire" who holds the key to the mysterious events in a town.
*Sophia/Katia (Original voice by Suzuka Ohgo):Sophia is the love of Anthony; Katia is the granddaughter of Sophia.

New characters in "Last Time Travel"

*Adult Luke (Original voice by Shun Oguri) [citeweb|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/54514/full/|title=小栗旬がレイトン教授でゲーム声優初挑戦|date=2008-05-12|accessdate=2008-05-27|language=Japanese] :An older Luke from the future.

Gameplay

The game is essentially a collection of puzzles with exploration sections between them. The puzzles take the form of brain teasers and are only loosely tied to the plot, although the player must solve a certain number in order to progress. A hint system is included, which requires the use of "hint coins," found hidden in the landscape of the game and in limited quantity, in order to reveal each hint. The player is given 10 hint coins at the start of the game.

All puzzles were created for this series by Akira Tago, who is famous for his best-selling Mental Gymnastics series. "Curious Village" contains 135 puzzles, and "Pandora's Box" contains 150 puzzles.

Wi-Fi compatible

All games in this series are compatible with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, allowing players to connect to the internet and download new puzzles every Thursday at noon (UTC-9). In the downloadable puzzles, the player cannot earn any additional picarats, and rather than use the hint coin system, a new hint is provided weekly.

Plot

"Curious Village"

The game's plot revolves around Professor Layton and his young assistant Luke. The pair are invited to St. Mystere by Lady Dahlia, widow of the late Baron Reinhold, to solve the mystery of the Golden Apple. The Baron stated in his last will and testament that whosoever should solve the mystery would inherit everything he possessed, but no one in the town has any idea what this Golden Apple is.

"Pandora's Box"

The main story revolves around Professor Layton and his young apprentice Luke traveling to meet Layton's mentor, who has sent them a letter about a mysterious box. Layton's mentor writes that he wishes to have Layton take care of his information if anything were to happen to him. Professor Layton and Luke rush to the mentor's home, only to find him killed under mysterious circumstances. From there the pair travel to discover the secrets of the "Pandora's box".

"Last Time Travel"

Little is known about the story other than that it takes place in the future London, England.

Feature film

A live action movie is going to be produced by Masakazu Kubo, who is mainly known for producing the Pokémon movies. The only information that has been released is that it will be an original story, separate from the game series.

Manga

Manga intended for child audiences has been serialized since the February special edition of "Bessatsu CoroCoro Comic". The title of this manga is nihongo|"Professor Layton and the Cheerful Mystery"|レイトン教授とユカイな事件|Reiton-kyōju to yukai na jiken, covering many mysteries through out the story.

References

External links

* [http://professorlaytonds.com Professor Layton Series] — "Official website"