“Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask” review

What if your whole life was propelled forward based on your ability in solving riddles? Level-5, a Japanese videogame developer, has fused this concept along with a heartfelt story, making a saga appealing to both young and old audiences. In the Professor Layton videogames, one finds his or her self in the shoes of Hershel Layton, the Sherlock Holmes of the gaming world, commissioned by numerous people to solve their town’s greatest mysteries.
In Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, the fifth installment of the series, Layton is asked by his childhood friend, Angela Ledore, to arrest an infamous magician threatening the safety of her town. The Masked Gentleman, the illusionist in question, performs so-called “dark miracles” that seem to become more and more absurd as the game progresses. Accompanied by his trusty assistant Emmy Altava and apprentice Luke Triton, Layton travels to Monte d’Or, a fictional city kind of like Las Vegas seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The new characters and twists in the storyline establishes a connection with the player and takes him/her on an emotional rollercoaster.

Developed for the Nintendo 3DS, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is the first in the series to have 3-dimensional features. Its buttery-smooth animation makes the game equally enjoyable even when the 3D is disabled. Even with all the new features that set this game apart from its predecessors, Miracle Mask includes familiar puzzles (that may be too easy for those who have played the previous games) and Layton’s signature tune, which I find myself humming most of the day.

The player utilizes the touch screen to maneuver a magnifying glass around the top screen to interact and move around the city. This is different compared to the previous games wherein the player just uses the touch screen alone. Compared to the first game, the fifth is a breeze to finish because the new way makes finding Hint Coins, hidden puzzles and hidden items easier. The story advances as you solve logic puzzles, which may or may not have relevance to the storyline. The player also has the option to complete mini-games such as training a virtual rabbit and guiding a toy robot around a maze. These mini-games are tedious and difficult, but unlock bonus content when completed. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Layton game if they didn’t force you to use your head.

In all, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask may be way too easy for those familiar with how the game and the puzzles work, but its engaging story and unique gameplay make it one of the best in its series.