Professor Layton Returns

The Professor Layton trilogy came to a close in Japan last year with the release of Professor Layton and the Final Time Journey. But with almost 2.5 million in Japanese sales alone for the series, you didn't think Level-5 would bring it to a close there, did you?

Sure enough, the developer/publisher has announced, via Famitsu, a second trilogy. The new trilogy will kick off in Japan this Fall with Professor Layton and the Devil's Flute.

The story for this fourth DS Layton game kicks off three years prior to the events of the original Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Professor Layton, visiting the mysterious "city of mist," comes into the acquaintance of a young Luke for the first time. He also meets Remi Altiwa, a new heroine. The three embark on a quest surrounding the legend of a giant that threatens to destroy the city.

Gameplay looks like it will offer players some twisted puzzles once again. As with the first three titles, Level-5 is turning to Akira Tago to supervise a completely new set of puzzles.

For those who are into the Layton series as a whole, this new entry looks like it will be a must. The title will connect directly to the upcoming Layton movie. The stories of the two titles are set in the same era, with the movie continuing the events of the game.

The movie hits Japanese theaters later this year, presumably allowing another near million-or-so to pick up and clear Devil's Flute as a refresher.

http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/961/961344p1.html