Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Developer: Level-5
Publisher: Level-5
Series: Professor Layton
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Puzzle
Mode: Single-Player
Cost: $25-30
Wi-Fi Compatibility: Yes
ESRB Rating: E
Introduction
The game starts out with a full-voiced and animated movie. I mean, now you know this game has got to be good, right? Well your correct! This cross between a puzzle, adventure, and a great story makes this game a can't-clean-my-room-now-I'm-to-busy-playing type of game.
Gameplay
This is an old fashion point-and-click game. You start off in a European-style setting, with Professor Layton and his young assistant, Luke. In the first few seconds, BOOM! your hit by an anime style movie, fully animated and fully voiced. After this you end up in the puzzle-loving town St. Mystere. There is story to don't forget, it's about a mysterious will and a Golden Apple treasure. Mixed in with that part of the story is a murder. So you need to find out more about this murder, find the will and the Golden Apple, by solving puzzles and brainteasers. They range from moving matchsticks and guessing somebody's age to simple riddles (that are over-thought numerous of time
)and transfering wolves and chicks over a river.
There are puzzles you have to solve to escalate in the game and puzzles that are optional.
Also, there are "Mysteries" you can solve, Painting pieces to gather, and a "Gizmo" to put together. This game uses a save feature that is very simple to access.
Gameplay: 5/5
Graphics
This game has a 2-D style, and at certain points a 3-D style gameplay. This is also mixed in with a great environment and a good color scheme. Also there are full voiced movie's in this cooking pot too! This game brings a unique style, that have been seen rarely on the Nintendo DS.
Graphics: 5/5
Music and Sound
This doesn't bring the best music, actually it's quite annoying and repetitive later in the game, but the cut-scenes have a great timing on the voice. There's not much more to say about the Music and Sound, except it get repetitive and just makes you want to hurry up and get to the next puzzle, just so you can hear a different track.
Music and Sound: 3/5
Replay Value
The Replay Value in this game great! There are around 80 puzzles to solve in the story, and other secret puzzles to solve after you beat the story mode. Also you can unlock more once you complete certain challenges, like completing a painting and a gizmo.
Not to mention, the Wi-Fi compatibility. You can download a new puzzle every week!
Replay Value: 5/5
Overall
If your craving a game to test your mind, then go to your local retailer and pick up this game! Trust me you won't be disappointed, this game has countless hours of gameplay, fully voiced movie's, an awesome replay value, and tests your mind!
Overall: 4.5/5, 90%