Professor Layton General Discussion

[lasagne_of_death]

Just thought I'd make a thread about the series, I haven't seen one in my tenure here, and when I went searching, the last thread about it as far as I saw was 2020 lol. So given that, idk if this is going to live past a day lmao. Feel free to post about anything Professor Layton, but if you're showing a puzzle answer make sure to put it in a spoiler and label it as such.

Any thoughts on the series or any particular games from it?

I've played a few entries in the series, and I've enjoyed almost all of them. My favourite is curious village, as I really liked the plot and gameplay. My least favourite so far is Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy. It's story line was terrible lol, and Kat was not a nice person at all imo

 

[Fridaynightcatlady]

I love it! I really love all mystery/puzzle games!

My favorite games in the series are probably the first three. I liked the "prequels" but the transition towards 3D models (for the 3DS) was honestly what killed the games for me (and the stories weren't as interesting).

I'm really digging the art style of the new game, though! It's kinda what I was hoping for 3D models for the game. The 3DS games just looked...bad.

 

[Darcy94x]

Oh my goodness this is so weird!
I recently acquired a DS lite and got ALL the professor Layton games, I completed the first one in 11hours and am super stoked to play through the rest! They are SO nostalgic for me, I love the little mini games within the main game, I love the fact it’s not easy puzzles and you have to think outside the box sometimes and then the story line too - I beg they release more of these

 

[BakaRina]

Never tried the series before, but I’m interested in the new game that’s coming out. Maybe I’ll try it out when it’s out and see how it is.

 

[LambdaDelta]

wasn't the ceo of the studio behind those games on record *****ing and moaning that people are (rightly) opposed to generative ai content in games?

like I know that alone isn't an indicator of anything, but it's a damn good reason for me to not touch the series until further notice

 

[lasagne_of_death]

wasn't the ceo of the studio behind those games on record *****ing and moaning that people are (rightly) opposed to generative ai content in games?

like I know that alone isn't an indicator of anything, but it's a damn good reason for me to not touch the series until further notice

Damn. I do not follow any gaming news further than new console releases so I had no idea the ceo is like that (I'm really not that much of a gamer anymore, and even when I was I never cared for anything "behind the scenes" ig, idk how to word that). Thanks for the heads up, I'll look into that.

The last professor layton game release was pretty terrible anyway, so maybe it is kind of telling with regards to the quality and effort put into the newer games. It had a terrible plot and the puzzles felt pretty mid when I was playing it, and really the only reason I got it was because it was from the PF franchise and I thought it would have, yk, PF actually in it. It seemed like a very low effort cash-grab, which ig fits if the ceo wants ai to be used in game development - more money to keep and less staff/artists/plot writers to pay. Idk, the deterioration of entries in game series is bad enough without the people working behind it supporting ai

 

[toxapex]

I played the first two games with my partner watching (who has played the whole series and generally loves it)

Very excited to play thru the existing games with her, BUT also we're not playing that new steampunk game, due to the AI concerns mentioned above... My partner was heartbroken to hear that the CEO was pro-AI and possibly using it in the game itself... Well, her exact words when I told her were "NOOOOOO! WHAT?!" but that sounds heartbroken to me

 

[Newbiemayor]

We have a Professor Layton thread!? I love Professor Layton but yeah the past couple games kinda fell off. And I can't really say I'm looking forward to the next game either (if it ever even comes out lol.) But the other games are great! My favorite is probably miracle mask but last specter is really good too. Honestly I've never played a game quite like the Layton series and tbh I've missed them. Just that kind of puzzle solving is super, super fun.

 

[Wrenwerm]

Just thought I'd make a thread about the series, I haven't seen one in my tenure here, and when I went searching, the last thread about it as far as I saw was 2020 lol. So given that, idk if this is going to live past a day lmao. Feel free to post about anything Professor Layton, but if you're showing a puzzle answer make sure to put it in a spoiler and label it as such.

Any thoughts on the series or any particular games from it?

I've played a few entries in the series, and I've enjoyed almost all of them. My favourite is curious village, as I really liked the plot and gameplay. My least favourite so far is Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy. It's story line was terrible lol, and Kat was not a nice person at all imo

Omggg I love professor layton smmmm it’s like my favourite game franchise. I have basically all of the games other than the phoenix wright crossover but I’m hoping to get that one soooonnn! It’s so rare to find other Layton fans in the wild. My favourite game is definitely diabolical boxxx (10/10 would recommend) DD

 

[lasagne_of_death]

Omggg I love professor layton smmmm it’s like my favourite game franchise. I have basically all of the games other than the phoenix wright crossover but I’m hoping to get that one soooonnn! It’s so rare to find other Layton fans in the wild. My favourite game is definitely diabolical boxxx (10/10 would recommend) DD

I finished diabolical box a few months ago iirc, I really enjoyed it too! I thought it was a pretty cool plotline, and the setting was really cool - I especially loved the train at the start of the game. The tea mini game was my favourite haha, though I did use an online guide to get the right orders

 

[toxapex]

Between the two I've completed, both were great but I have to echo the sentiment that Diabolical Box absolutely rules. Folsense is such a cool location, I love the art direction of the game (and of course the puzzles are also fun)

Speaking of the puzzles, I think last time I played Unwound Future over a year ago, I was stuck on one of those puzzles where you have to land on every space of a chessboard with a knight piece(? it was something to do with a knight at least) and I have trouble working up the nerve to open the game again

 

[lasagne_of_death]

Between the two I've completed, both were great but I have to echo the sentiment that Diabolical Box absolutely rules. Folsense is such a cool location, I love the art direction of the game (and of course the puzzles are also fun)

Speaking of the puzzles, I think last time I played Unwound Future over a year ago, I was stuck on one of those puzzles where you have to land on every space of a chessboard with a knight piece(? it was something to do with a knight at least) and I have trouble working up the nerve to open the game again

Wait am I dumb for just realising that Folsense is just "false sense" or I never actually read the name properly or out loud before now

Oh I absolutely love those knight puzzles! The chess board puzzles are always my favourites, even if I don't like chess. They drive me crazy, but it's so worth it when you manage to work through them

 

[Rosch]

I am so happy that the new game is still slated for this year. I was a little worried it was delayed to 2027.

Also I kinda wish they announced a collection of the first three games just because the new one happens a year after the events of Unwound Future.

 

[kisaker39]

I was wondering if there was a Professor Layton thread... I am a big fan of series! I am looking foward to the new game, but i am not sure if i fully trust Level-5 to deliver something that will live up to everyones expectations. Akihiro Hino has leaned heavy into AI usage, and has used it to develop games. I mean, the trailers for some other Level-5 projects have been laughable. For April Fools Day this year, he released a number of fully AI generated images promoting a fake theme park themed around numerous Level-5 franchises.... Of course that included Professor Layton. New World of Steam is scheduled to release this year (after being delayed twice) and considering we have had practically no updates on the development process, it really feels like a slap in the face.

I really do not understand why Akihiro Hino is so insistent on using AI. He says most people in the industry use it to speed up the development process. Well... lots of Level-5 games have been delayed recently, haven't they? Anyhow, there is a notable difference between using AI for coding and using AI to generate backgrounds, cutscenes and storylines. If most people in the industry used AI the same way he does, it would be very controversial, and hence reported on and talked about. But nothing comes to mind... there is nothing to suggest AI has played a role in the development for the new Professor Layton game, so i want to stay hopeful, but i do not understand it at all. Level-5 once worked with Studio Ghibli, and Professor Layton has such beautiful and immersive settings... why throw it all away?

The new trailer does indeed seem promising, though. The storyline seems interesting, but... why is Don Paulo there? After the events of Lost Future, he no longer considers Layton a rival, so why would he follow him to America? I am sure it will be explained in the game, but i cannot imagine a reason that does not go against the ending to Lost Future. I really wanted Descole to appear in this game... if Don Paulo is the antagonist then maybe... anything is possible!

Despite everything, i am looking foward to New World of Steam, and i have been for years. The current state of Level-5 is such a shame, but that will not change how i feel about the Professor Layton franchise. I will always have a place for it in my heart, but i can say i no longer hold Level-5 in such high regard.

 

[StarlitGlitch]

I was intrigued by the mysteries of the series when I was younger, but never played any until I rented Miracle Mask from a video store back in high school (around 2013?) and played through it over a weekend.

About a year ago I went through the DS trilogy. I got them on my phone and would play them on the train ride back home from work, and I think pacing them like that made it more enjoyable for me! I am currently doing the Spector one.

I remember seeing the World of Steam both at Tokyo Game Show 2024 and got a clear file for it. And then in 2025 they had a both for it again haha Normally you would only do a both for a game that is about to come out so I thought that was odd, but I got another paper file and tried out the game so that was fine with me haha The mouse controls worked pretty well!

I had not heard about the AI statements, I suppose we will just have to wait and see what happens.