Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box - Game Review

One thing I loved about my birthday this year was the fact that the sequel to a game I absolutely loved was released. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is puzzle game that takes you far and beyond the brain activity you're used to. It makes you think really hard to solve one puzzle, and then tricks you with a simple answer for the next. Professor Layton and the Curious Village was a great DS game, and this new sequel is no less than magnificent in all ways.

The game begins with the introduction of the story- a murder. What would a mystery game be without MURDER?! Apparently, Professor Layton receives a letter from his mentor about a mysterious box that is rumored to be cursed; the "if you open it you die" curse...haven't heard that before...

So Professor Layton, being the wonderful Englishman he is, decides to take a trip to Dr. Schrader's house to make sure all is well since the dude hasn't been answering phone calls. He takes Luke along, his trusty apprentice, and they head into their next mystery.

I don't like spoilers so I refuse to release more info about the storyline, as it does have its twist and turns and it surely does have its laughs. I will tell you that our beloved Flora does make a cameo but I will leave it at that since other people do as well.

The sequel does not disappoint with the different levels of puzzles and interesting new Look & Finds. After rebuilding a camera (you get the camera parts by answering puzzles correctly), the feature to take screen shots of certain areas is available allowing you to go into Layton's briefcase to solve look & find puzzles.

Another nice addition is a sort of mini game that can be played whenever you need a mind break. During the game you meet a cook who has a hamster in his kitchen, yes i know its disgusting...but you feel bad because the hamster is very overweight and you feel the need to help him lose weight. By solving puzzles correctly you get little toys and healthy snacks for this hamster which you then set-up on a board to make him walk to each item with-in 3-steps of him. It's a good mini-game and a little tricky.

The last new addition to the briefcase which has little to do with the story line i the ability to make tea. Yes, you read that correctly..Layton and Luke can now make tea for the people they are interviewing. The trick is, they all want something specific and the only way to make the tea is by unlocking the ingredients by answering certain puzzles correctly. Each tea has a distinct quality to it. Some teas make you feel better, others make you feel refreshed..one even makes you feel beautiful (I wish I had that one).

I feel the new add-ons to the briefcase a re important to the game's success. I know that I have spent a large amount on a puzzle and was happy with the outcome of it leading to a piece of my camera, or a new ingredient...or a POOL for my hamster (which I named Noodle). The add-ons give you a sense of accomplishment besides the normal picarats you get from puzzles.

The game puts a new twist on the puzzles since you can now open the Memo Pad separately a-top the puzzle making it easier to work on a difficult puzzle and be able to switch between your notes and the actual puzzle screen.

All in all, I love this game. I play it when ever possible, not only because of the puzzles, the hamster, tea time, and a mysterious box that is rumored to kill those who opens it...but because I'm just head over hells in gamer love with Layton! There...the cats out of the bag!