Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask – Review

I recently got the chance to review the new Professor Layton Nintendo 3DS game, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask. I had seen several commercials for the 3DS game and became interested in it after learning it was a game full of puzzles. Also, it seemed like a nice relaxing game. After playing it though, I can admit, even some of the puzzles took me several tries before I figured them out! 

One of the first things that caught my eye, literally, were the beautiful yet simple graphics. The game had a unique charm to the visuals that made it beautiful without being complicated. The opening video shows a parade that is both visually impressive and immersive. I actually ended up liking the simplicity of the characters design when compared to the detailed background.

I am an adult who is used to complicated games with even more complicated controls. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask satisfies my desire for something easier occasionally. The controls on the game are so easy and understandable that anyone can pick up the game without and prior knowledge and be able to enjoyably play. You can switch between the stylus and the d-pad during most of the game though using the stylus is not uncomfortable in the least for the types of game play you encounter. Young children wanting to play this game should have no trouble picking up with controls with both the stylus and the d-pad controls.

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask jumps pretty quickly into the main storyline with only a little bit of exposition in the beginning which mostly serves to teach you how to navigate the maps. It is a fairly straight forward storyline so if you are easily distracted you shouldn’t have trouble finishing the game. I liked that you meet the main antagonist pretty early on in the game so that you know who and why you are playing from the very beginning.

The only thing I did not enjoy about the game is that I feel like there was not enough actual gameplay. There seemed to be way to much dialogue to cycle through between each of the puzzles. However, younger children will most certainly enjoy the in between time as they move around the setting with their trusty magnifying glass finding coins and helping out characters in trouble.

Overall, the game is definitely worth a play through. If you are a serious gamer it serves as a relaxing break that is both fun and addicting. Children will find it incredibly fun as it will most definitely grab their attention for hours on end. Parents can also play this game with their children as you try to figure out the puzzles together.

The game story is as follows:

Upon receiving a cryptic letter from a childhood friend, Professor Layton is called to the carnival city of Monte d’Or to investigate a mysterious villain known as the Masked Man.

With his assistant Emmy and apprentice Luke in tow, the team arrives in town with a carnival in full swing—only to witness the Masked Man crashing the party!

Step into the shoes of a young Layton as the investigation turns to the discovery of a mysterious artifact, and the disappearance of his friend Randall Ascot 18 years ago. Is there some connection between these events and the chaos gripping Monte d’Or today?

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask was provided by Nintendo for this review.