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Professor Layton and the Curious Village

EMAIL PRINT ds

8.9 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 72 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 32 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Level 5

Genre(s): Adventure, Edutainment

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: February 11, 2008

Summary

(Also known as "Layton Kyouju no Fushigi na Machi" and "Professor Layton and the Mysterious Village") Marking Level 5's first foray onto the DS, Professor Layton is an old-fashioned point-and-click adventure which requires your use of skills such as reasoning, knowledge and creativity to solve various puzzles.

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

GameShark

One of the finest debuts of a new IP in some time and does an incredible job of combining two areas the DS seems to have been made for: puzzles and adventure gaming. The addictive gameplay, twisting story, charming characters and beautifully drawn animation makes this a game that neither puzzle fans, nor adventure game fans should miss.

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100

Modojo

Whether or not Akihiro Hino and the crew at Level-5 built the world upon the foundation of the puzzles or vice versa, it melds into a cohesive miracle that's greater than the sum of its undeniably fantastic parts.

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100

Giant Bomb

Professor Layton and the Curious Village has a certain warmth to it that makes it easy to love, even when you’re up against a particularly annoying puzzle. Personally, I found this first adventure so strong that I’m already getting antsy just thinking about the next game in this planned trilogy.

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100

Zentendo

A very amazing piece of art merged with very unique, engrossing gameplay. Truly a unique experience that almost any gamer should give at least one go at. Other than very minor issues, this is easily one of the most well designed and enjoyable games ever made.

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100

Just Adventure

Professor Layton, like many of those other titles, has a level of polish and confidence that simply draws you in. It’s diverting in every way a video game should be. If you own a DS, you owe it to yourself to grab this title.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

The surprise smash hit of the winter? We hope so, as this puzzler is one of the console's very best games. [Dec 2008, p.78]

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Game Almighty

An excellent way to spend some quality time with your DS and genuinely worth the small investment from your bank account.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

A top-notch package that'll make you love puzzles as much as the game's designers.

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Gaming Nexus

A solid puzzle/adventure hybrid that is a lot more complex and difficult than it appears. This is a great alternative to the brain games and a must have for those who like to use their heard for more than a hat rack.

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GameZone

I loved playing this game, even when it was beating me. It is fair, challenging and addictive. The triple threat of gaming.

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Gameplayer

Perhaps the best puzzle game for the DS to date.

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Armchair Empire

Professor Layton and the Curious Village looks a lot like old time adventure games – like The Adventures of Willy Beamish – with great hand drawn backgrounds and the occasional stretch of animation, complete with sound.

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Pocket Gamer UK

This puzzle game with a heart is a splendid endorsement of the genre and the DS.

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GameTrailers

If you truly want to put your brain to work and have tired of strings of simple math problems or Sudoku, this is the game for you.

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Boomtown

The sequel is out in Japan. The sooner it arrives, the happier I will be. If it’s not as good as the first, I may resort to self-harm.

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Games Master UK

A magical debut for the series and the perfect antidote for a train journey or a rainy day. [May 2008, p.80]

Adventure Gamers

While I'm prepared to recommend Professor Layton and the Curious Village wholeheartedly, it does come with a serious caution about expectations. If you're looking for a well-rounded adventure with plenty of exploration and a fully-integrated storyline, you simply won't find it here.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

But perhaps the biggest conundrum of all is how to put the game down completely and do something else.

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PALGN

Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a wonderful combination of style and substance that will keep gamers entralled for hours.

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VideoGamer

The story gets more mature with the solving of each puzzle, the puzzles themselves will have even the brainiest flummoxed and the art design is up there with anything, and I mean anything, on the console. It's the perfect DS game, it's the perfect puzzle game, it's what everyone should be playing on the tube instead of Brain Training, or some generic Sudoku clone.

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Meristation

Professor's Layton beloved formula's here, at last. Level 5 latest work is one of its greatests, with stunning graphics and a gameplay style based on puzzle-solving. It's a very good game, and despite being the first of a trilogy it's a worth-buying game, a console-selling blockbuster.

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Thunderbolt

In the grand scheme of things, they mean so very little because every waking moment spent in St Mystere is an absolute joy to behold.

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n-Revolution Magazine UK

An excellently quirky title. Loads of downloadable content for it, too.

InsideGamer.nl

Professor Layton said it himself: “Critical thinking is the key to success.” In what is probably the biggest surprise of the year, Professor Layton offers a cast of memorable characters, stylish visuals, and of course more than enough challenging puzzles to keep your brain bending for a long long time.

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GotNext

It's a Japanese import that is a little off the beaten track; a puzzle game with a story. Unfortunately, the concept and its curious title might cause the causal DS crowd to overlook it. It would be their loss.

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AceGamez

With a fantastic main quest that will keep you hooked to the end, extra tough puzzles to keep you thinking after the main story is complete and weekly downloadable content to be made available in the future, Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a very strong package indeed.

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Eurogamer

This is utter loveliness, embodying everything the DS has come to mean to me. Puzzles, high spirits, and an embracing of beautiful 2D artwork over complicated 3D fuss.

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Cubed3

Marrying the current craze for brain teasing puzzles with a delightfully mysterious tale that entertains throughout works brilliantly and everything just smacks of pure quality.

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GameSpy

Incredibly original and thoroughly entertaining.

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GameSpot

Professor Layton and the Curious Village mixes an interesting story, challenging logic puzzles, and exploration into an extremely entertaining package that you won't want to put down.

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Video Game Talk

An absolute joy to play and the variety of puzzles throughout the game keeps the experience fresh.

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Cheat Code Central

Ultimately, if you're willing to take some time to solve the puzzles and enjoy this kind of gameplay, Professor Layton and The Curious Village will become one of your favorite games. If you're not a thinker and what you like is action, you're better off ignoring it; you'll save yourself a headache.

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GameBrink

The short animated letter boxed movies spread out throughout the story are smooth and look crisp for the DS but, performances were varied for the two actors who were taking on voice acting for the very first time.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

Wonderfully unique. [Apr 2008, p.78]

Destructoid

But for those gamers who love the idea of a rigorous workout of the ol' noggin, Layton delivers an exemplary experience wrapped in one of the most stunning aesthetics yet seen on the DS, or any system.

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NGamer UK

Lots of variety, good use of the touch screen. [May 2008, p.73]

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Kombo

But is Professor Layton a puzzler or an adventure game? It doesn't really matter, because visiting the Curious Village will be the best vacation you'll have in quite some time.

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Gaming Target

Professor Layton and the Curios Village is a great game for anyone regardless of the age due to the nature of their game.

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3DJuegos

Professor Layton and its 150 inventiveness lessons supposes a good excuse to enjoy a lovely and magic story in one of the best graphic adventures for the Nintendo's dual screen. If you are very fond of puzzles then this game is one of the best choices to stay thinking hours and hours in front of your Nintendo DS.

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IGN AU

A wonderful game. It really is. If you're into your brain teasers, then this one will have you hooked.

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PTGamers

Not that it's a work of art by all means, but Layton is a fun game, filling the player with delight.

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RPG Fan

It was a novel hybrid game that felt very familiar and comfortable.

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Nintendo Power

On top of a great adventure mode, Professor layton offers additional downloadable content, which should keep players plenty busy until the promised sequel arrives. [Feb 2008, p.88]

Da Gameboyz

With solid graphics, sound and story, and some darn addicting but tough puzzles, this adventure style game is great title add to your DS collection.

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1UP

And with a game this entertaining, that transcends demographics so stylishly, that offers such addictive just-one-more challenge -- well, the only real puzzle here is why anyone wouldn't want to give it a go.

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Deeko

In fact, I'd recommend this title to everyone, frankly, as it's just that much fun to play.

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Gaming Age

The game constantly rewards players with secret items to find and an intriguing story that captivates from beginning to end. Nintendo is promising new weekly puzzles that can be downloaded through its Wi-Fi Connection right to the DS, so even after you're done with the game there should be new content available. It's a no-brainer.

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NZGamer

The game itself will take you a good number of hours to complete – there are over 150 puzzles spaced out between cut scenes and other adventure elements. However, the puzzles provide little in the way of replay value, so you probably won’t find yourself going back for a second play through.

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NintendoWorldReport

Overall, Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a very interesting game but it definitely caters to a niche audience. If you don't like brain-teasers, it's probably not for you.

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ZTGameDomain

Curious Village is unequivocally pretty; the well-styled visuals are clean and simple, true to the content and very, well, classy

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IGN UK

It's a beautifully presented and gently-paced title that, while far from revolutionary, is simply a joy to play.

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DarkZero

It won’t top Brain Training’s immense sales, but it’s better in every way.

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Telegraph

A delightful game, and an excellent addition to the DS’s library. Suitable, as they say, for children of any age, it’s gripping enough to keep you playing for just that one more puzzle. Bring on the sequel, I say.

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N-Europe

Short, but a very challenging and fun game.

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Gamer.nl

Professor Layton and the Curious Village offers a great mix of entertaining puzzles, easy and challenging. Even the option to buy certain hints will never let you solve the puzzle. True, the hints will clarify a lot, but will never give you an answer. The game sets your mind at work and you'll soon discover that on any giving moment of the day you start thinking about a solution. If you like puzzle games this one shouldn't be missing from your collection.

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Gamestyle

Professor Layton and the Curious Village is an accessible game with enough challenge to maintain interest for some time, and is full of charm and wonderful presentation.

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GameTap

A solidly constructed game that truly anyone of any skill level can play. There's no multiplayer mode here per se, but that doesn't actually prevent Curious Village from being a party game--you can just read the puzzles out loud and any number of people can tackle them anywhere at any time.

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GameDaily

It's the desire to solve the next challenge, and not the ho-hum story, that makes Professor Layton interesting.

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IGN

It’s not quite as powerful a game as some diehards might lead you to believe it is, and the cheating exploits are a little to obvious to ignore. But even so, Professor Layton is undeniably fun with a great style, and if the next game in the series is as challenging and addictive as his debut, bring it on.

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Gamer 2.0

With the sheer quality of these puzzles alone, Level 5 could've just released the game as another brain teaser compilation, but they went the extra mile by relating every single puzzle to an event during the adventure which makes the game that much more interesting.

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Play Magazine

As good as the puzzles are, the presentation is almost better. [JPN Import; May 2007, p.77]

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

This is a sweet, gentle, silly game for people who are still in touch with their inner nerdy child. [JPN Import; July 2007, p.71]

GamerNode

Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a great game for anyone who enjoys brain-teasers. It can become highly addictive, and is perfect for micro- game sessions. It's a great overall presentation.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Mental deficiencies aside, Professor Layton and the Curious Village is an enjoyable game with a wonderfully-written storyline. So few games succeed at making us exercise our brains; you’d be blockheads not to give this one a go.

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Gamervision

Production values are also through the roof in this DS title.

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NTSC-uk

There’s no other game on the DS with gameplay quite like this and every DS owner should try it for themselves.

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GamePro

For all its frustrations, Professor Layton does have its merits. The overall vibe of the game is charming and immensely likeable and the basic game mechanic is solid. There is also a ton of things to do: aside from the puzzles, there are other neat extras that I'll let you discover on your own.

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Game Informer

What’s really frustrating about this game is that although the puzzles themselves are fun to figure out, all the big mysteries presented by the story are solved for you via cutscenes. The fact that you aren’t allowed to actually solve the questions that have been on your mind all game long is simply a mistake.

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games(TM)

Taken as a purely forward-looking puzzle game (with a well-told story, to boot), Layton provides DS entertainment in a unique fashion. [JPN Import; May 2007, p.112]

Edge Magazine

There are lots of puzzles, a fun environment to tootle around in, and little to dislike. Utterly charming. [Apr 2008, p.95]

netjak

As a $30 puzzle magazine, Professor Layton leaves quite a bit to be desired.

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Game Revolution

Professor Layton players can download new puzzles via their Nintendo Wi-Fi connection on a weekly basis. It’s a nice touch, though it doesn’t quite counterbalance the lack in ‘replay’ value.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 32 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

seung p gave it an8:
Puzzle games with a full scale story like this game are a rarity in today's video game industry, however, for a handheld system it works well, and Layton is one of the best in its genre. Many people argue that there is little replay value to Layton because once you solve the puzzle, you know the answer, but I don't agree with this view because many of puzzles are intuitive and a month or two later you will have a hard time solving them again. The main problem is that there are too many puzzles that are plain bad and not worth my time to try to solve. I thought maybe 1/4 of the puzzles are total garbage. Maybe half were decent and the remainders were really great. Story is charming I suppose, but it's not anything remarkable, nor is the game design anything to clap for. You basically go around the village and touch every part of the screen with stylus repeatedly in hopes of finding more puzzles to solve. Then you solve the puzzle, and story progresses until you have solved something like 150 puzzles. (i forget exactly however) When you beat the game, you can access the bonus features, including more puzzles which is great because puzzles are the reason I bought the game. As far as the story goes, it tries to add elements of surprise and suspense, but I really couldn't care less because dialogues were so silly. Overall, however, I enjoyed playing this game, but I would have enjoyed it almost the same even if there was no story and just had a list of puzzles to solve.

NaytoE gave it a2:
Half the questions aren't in correct english and don't make grammatical sense. It's impossible to solve a riddle when the a specific, valuble word have been replaced by a simular word that doesn't actually have the same definition. maybe if they'd checked to see if half the text made sense it would be good, as it stands, it's just a poor excuse of a puzzle game. Also the art sucks if you're above 14 and not Female, I don't like looking like a kiddie fiddler in public thanks.

Lev gave it a9:
Very enjoyable, very fun game. I wish more games had this kind of more creative imagery instead of the generic anime look or the wanna be realistic fantasy stuff. And the thing I liked most were the animated cartoon cutscenes. God, how I wish that games would have hand/computer drawn 2d animation instead of most of the lame 3d cutscenes. I'm still not finished with this game since I picked it up only recently, but it was really refreshing for me. The puzzles are challenging, yet not impossibly annoying, and there are many kinds of them. The music could be better but, hey, nothing is perfect. Already looking forward to the other two Professor Layton games.

Gina gave it a10:
Great!!! I'm really sad that the weekly downloads have finished. Monday won't be the same. Can't wait for next release.

Shawn F. gave it an8:
Great puzzle game! Quite a few puzzles weren't that difficult or should have had multiple working answers. The story was lackluster (which was too bad since that was what originally got me interested in the game) but the overall experience was a nice change from other puzzle games.

Chim C. gave it a10:
This represents a very good game for all ages. Lots of puzzles. Great artwork. An enjoyable concept all around.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Wonderful adventure with great graphics(considering its a handheld) and a beautiful story. The puzzles can get a bit frustrating at times, but they kept me on my toes! I would definately recommend this to anyone that likes cute storylines with challenging puzzles along the way.

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Professor Layton and the Curious Village

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What The Critics Said

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