Professor Layton and the Curious Village (DS)

Afternoon teatime with brain-bending flair.
2/28/2008 12:00 AM | 0 Comments | Page 2 of 2

User Ratings (2 total)

0% Buy | 50% Try | 50% Fry

My Rating

Professor Layton and the Curious Village (DS) Game Box
What's Hot: Animated English countryside; Clever puzzles; Soothing storyline; Strong characterization

What's Not: Getting stumped
David J. Long
David J. Long
Status: Thank you Mario, but the status message is in another castle!
One thing that's not so obvious at first is that this is a very social game. You find yourself talking about it with people who really aren't into videogames in the first place, simply because anyone can relate to its puzzles. Having these portable puzzles in your pocket is a sort of masterful way to get the DS into the hands of unsuspecting non-gamers, and the game's charming English presentation lures just about anyone with even a remote artistic sensibility into its snare. There are times, though, when this same sharing sensation makes you think that the game would be better served on the television screen where the whole family could see the puzzle and help solve it.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village combines superb production values with a very leisurely gameplay experience that crosses boundaries between what hardcore gamers expect and what the newly crowned-king casual audience desires. The problem is, brain teasers are just such a black or white preference that you cannot recommend the game unequivocally to just anyone. Even if you enjoy a good mind-bender, it only takes one doozy to drive you to the brink of DS destruction and rip all the entertainment right out of your hand. That leaves Layton and Luke's appeal as a matter of opinion, and only you can decide their place in your life.

Oh, and the alphabet? Why the last letter is T, of course.

This review is based on a retail copy of the game purchased by the reviewer.
« Prev  1  2  Next »

Share This

  • Stumbleupon Share Button
  • Delicious Share Button
  • Reddit Share Button
  • Slashdot Share Button
  • Fark Share Button
  • Yahoo Buzz Share Button

Comments

Want a new look on the discussion?
» Take It to the Forums

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post.
0 / 2000 used

Log In and Post

Log In and Post
Xbox 360 | PS3 | Wii | PSP | DS | PC
Crispy Gamer Buyers' Guides

Crispy Gamer
Buyer's Guides


From essential games to must-have accessories, the Game Trust tells you what you need to know about your new gaming system.

Expand Box

© Crispy Gamer, Inc. All rights reserved.

By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site,
you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.

Log In or Register with Crispy Gamer

  • Register
  • Log In
  • Facebook
Register
Log In

Use your Facebook account to log in to Crispy Gamer

You'll also be able to add your Facebook friends to Crispy Gamer and post your Crispy Gamer activity in your Facebook feed.

Reasons to Join Crispy Gamer

  • It's Free
  • Leave Comments on Crispy Articles and Blogs
  • Enter Contests and Win Great Prizes
  • Converse With Other Gamers in Our Forums
  • Share What’s Up With Custom Status Text
  • Track Your Activity on Your Personal User Page
  • Chat with Friends in Real-Time