I have always been a massive fan of puzzles. I’ve essentially been a fan of puzzles since I could form cohesive enough thoughts to solve them. A huge part of the reason I love puzzles is because of the game series Professor Layton. Professor Layton is a series developed by Level 5, released on the Nintendo DS and 3DS throughout the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, and with the first installment in 12 years coming to the Switch later this year.
After modding my 3DS in 2023, it allowed me to try many more games that I had not played before while also revisiting some games I had played as a young kid. I wanted to replay the Professor Layton games I had already played while also playing the ones I had not played. I did this mainly because even though I played these games as a young kid, I would not say I understood them very well. Coming back to Diabolical Box made me come to realize how this installment of the series is one of my favorite games I have ever played.
Gameplay
The Professor Layton series is a one of a kind in the gameplay department. Level 5 describes the games as “puzzle adventure” games, and I would say this is a very accurate description. The main gameplay consists of a point and click adventure where you are moving around different areas and talking to different characters which will key you in on clues about mysteries you need to solve, tell you about the area you are in, or even give some funny dialogue. However, you won’t just get the clues you want by talking to this wacky cast of characters who may seem like they have a secret to hide. A lot of the time when talking to them, they will give you a puzzle to solve. Puzzles in the game serve as a form of progression and are where you will likely spend most of your time playing the game. They range in difficulty, usually measured in “picarats” with higher values meaning harder puzzles.
While the gameplay of the series is great, especially if you love puzzles like I do, there is still so much to love and enjoy about Diabolical Box and the series as a whole. Even if you aren’t as big of a fan of puzzles as me, things like the atmosphere, setting, and plot are able to make anyone as big a fan of the series as I am.
Plot
The plot of the game is simply superb. It is emotional, gripping, and entertaining the whole way through, especially towards the end. I will not go into too much detail because the best way to experience this game is spoiler free and on your own, but I will give a synopsis of the prologue. The game begins with Professor Layton and his apprentice Luke Triton getting a letter from Layton’s mentor, Andrew Schrader. This letter states that he has come upon a relic known as the Elysian box (similar to Pandora’s box, which is also the game’s European title), which is said to kill whoever opens it. He decides due to him dedicating his life to research, he will open the box, and was sending Layton a letter to request that he finish Schrader’s research if anything were to happen to him. Worried about his mentor’s safety, Layton and Luke take off to Schrader’s flat to check on him, only to find him dead, along with a train ticket for the Molentary Express. The two make their way to the train, and the events of the game unfold. The plot of the game is actually where my one critique of the game comes in. The Layton universe generally fits in with the logic of our own, with some exceptions. Certain aspects of the plot of the game don’t really fit the way things work in our own world, and they may confuse players.
Setting
There are multiple settings in the game in which you will be spending a good chunk of the time playing. The first major setting you go to is the Molentary Express. The Molentary Express is a long train that houses many train cars, including cars designed for people to stay in as the train travels. You travel throughout the train, solving a small mystery that progresses the story. The train brings you to a quaint little village known as Dropstone, where a festival is being held for the town’s anniversary. The small town feels very homely and enjoyable to be in, along with its upbeat pleasant music. The third main setting of the game, and my personal favorite, is a town that you go into after stopping at Dropstone. This town, which I will refer to as “Luxenbelle” for spoiler reasons, is my personal favorite setting in the game by miles. The final town you arrive in during the story of the game is home to one of my favorite places I have been to in any game I have ever played. It is beautiful and the town’s art is fantastic. When the art is in high quality, you would never guess that it is made for a Nintendo DS game that came out in the late 2000’s. The town is big and packed with these odd and wacky characters I mentioned before. You spend the most time here out of any other place in the game, and it is the setting for the end of the game. The town really is something you need to experience yourself, and is easily one of my favorite parts of the game.
Atmosphere
One of my other favorite parts about Diabolical Box is the entire atmosphere of the game. At the beginning of the game, the vibe is more adventurous, though still mysterious due to the intrigue of the Elysian box and getting small insights into what may be going on with the box. This intrigue only continues and increases as you move into Dropstone, where the events set you on a path, giving more info about what may be happening, while also leaving you with more questions than when you entered the small farm village. The intrigue, mystery, and great atmosphere turn up to 11 after you make it to “Luxenbelle”. At this point, you have more questions than ever, and you are in a large sprawling town with so much to explore. The melancholy music, combined with the bright lights of the town, make have the most interesting and intriguing vibes in any game I have experienced. When exploring and talking, you always feel like something is wrong, but you just can’t put your finger on it. The energy just makes you want to play more and find out what is going on in “Luxenbelle”.
Closing
In conclusion, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is one of the best games I have ever played. From the great puzzles that really kept me scratching my heads at points, to the atmosphere of the game, to the heavily emotional story, it really is an experience I would recommend to anyone, along with the series as a whole. On top of all the great things about this game, it is very accessible to play in the modern day. You can play the physical version on the DS, the mobile HD port, and the games are very easy to emulate on iPhone, Android, and PC.