 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
- Nintendo DS
- Price: $30
- Genre: Puzzle
Common Sense Media says
Solve brainteasers to get clues to crack mystery.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while there's a mysterious death during the game, it's not shown. This is a mystery game chock full of logic puzzles. The puzzles range in difficulty, but some require mathematical concepts usually introduced in about 7th grade, so we have set the age appropriateness at 12 and up. Precocious kids may be able to tackle these puzzles at a younger age. Additional puzzles can be downloaded using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. This is a game that makes using your mind fun.
What's it about?
PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE CURIOUS VILLAGE combines a good mystery story with a series of challenging brainteasers. To crack the case, you have to solve the logic puzzles. The game takes place in St. Mystere, a strange little village where all the inhabitants love puzzles. Professor Layton, a renowned puzzle-solver, and his apprentice arrive at the town to help the family of the late Baron Reinhold. The Baron's will reveals that before he died, he hid a great treasure somewhere in St. Mystere. While interviewing the inhabitants for clues, one of the family members dies mysteriously. Now there are two mysteries to solve. The villagers are very willing to help you if you will solve their favorite puzzle first. In all, there are over 130 puzzles including such classics as the one where you have three wolves and three chickens that need to cross over a river on a raft. You have to figure out how to ferry them across so that at no time do the wolves outnumber the chickens.
Is it any good?
While solving brainteasers may seem like a lot of work, it doesn't feel that way in this context. The professor encourages you and even lets you buy three hints per puzzle using coins you can find while hunting around the village. And since you are rewarded with a clue or other important information for solving puzzles, the mystery angle motivates you to keep tackling the puzzles.
Fascinating characters and outstanding graphics also contribute to this game's excellence. Professor Layton is a British chap who reminds you of Sherlock Holmes and his wide-eyed apprentice provides some comic relief because of his naiveté. The characters you meet in the village are all eccentric and fascinating. The game uses hand-drawn watercolor graphics and occasional fully voiced animations to create a whimsical style reminiscent of the animated film The Triplets of Belleville.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether having a good mystery to solve helped to motivate you to tackle the tricky puzzles. How many of these puzzles had you seen before? Were you glad you could get hints?
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Kid, 11 years old
November 11, 2010
AGE
Content 8+, Difficulty 11+
awsome game! Content 8+ because of reference to abduction and a reference to murder. you also see someone being abducted
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AGE
AWsome
I loved this game.
It might be a little hard for soem of the younger kids or those that don't think analitically all the time, but if you need any help they have the answers online.
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AGE
PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE CURIOUS VILLAGE: 94% - CERTIFIED FRESH!
One of the best video games available, Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a smart, yet action-packed, adventure.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 24, 2010
AGE
7+
Its not the action or money its the problems they give you.
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AGE
The best brainteasers in any video game
This game is very well-made with tons of puzzles and an interesting story of mystery and intrigue that just about anyone can enjoy. A lot of puzzles are the types that you either see it or you don't and/or where thinking outside the box is rewarded. Odds are, if you are using a paper and pencil to keep track of things, you're doing it wrong. Once you find the solution, the puzzle seems easy and you wonder how it took you 15 minutes to figure out and during those 15 minutes you will probably be tempted to look for the answers online, but if you manage to figure it out yourself, you feel a nice sense of accomplishment. Some of the puzzles may be too difficult for some ages, but most of it can be handled all right (those 15 minute ones aren't too common). Also, those with a wi-fi connection can download puzzles that are added weekly. You get a lot of mileage for the cash with more than 130 puzzles and the prospect of downloading more, so if you want to give your brain a challenge, but don't want any more sudoku or crossword games, this is the game for you.
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AGE
There are difficult puzzles, it's a good story, but the mystery is too easy.
This is a great game, but I solved the mysteries before Layton did in the story, and I'm only thirteen. The puzzles are really hard, except some are easy. The story is great! Notice: there is absolutely no action in the game, you just walk around and solve puzzles. Some of the videos have action, but you don't control anybody when action is happening. For example, it is a video clip sequence when Layton and Luke are being chased by a ferris wheel, and it is a video clip when Layton reveals to all Inspector Chelmey's secret, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I think it's a simple game with so-so animation, an easy mystery, and really hard puzzles. Notice: One guy gets murdered, and a bunch of people get abducted, but if you get far enough in the game you find it isn't really that dark. It's creepy until you solve the "Mystery of the Golden Apple," though.
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AGE
VERY ADDICTING
CONTENT: 5 years
Difficulty: Past 4th grade
A very fun game however it may be challenging for kids under 10
Who cares about one murder look at other games they have many more murders. Overall the mind bending puzzle game is very addicting.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 15, 2010
AGE
Horrible game
Poor job, very boring, nothing interested me. I finished the game, so what else!?! Too easy, its really disappointing. Some good role models and some not. And I remember there was an explosion when you went into the girl's house I think.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 21, 2010
AGE
This game is very good you try to crack a mystery.Theres fun brainteasers!(Im going to let you in on a secret.This game is a little hard for me so I use some *help*).
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Puzzle |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | February 10, 2008 |
| Price: | $30 |
| ESRB rating: | E for Mild Violence |
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