Professor Layton and the Curious Village (Nintendo DS)

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.

One of the best video games available, Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a smart, yet action-packed, adventure.

Its not the action or money its the problems they give you.

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.

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.

I love how cute the animation is on this game, just like Miyazaki's Spirited Away, and the puzzles are really fun. adults, you say the murder is to intense? Well, for some kids it would be. But overall, great game, terrific time spent playing it. I was sad when I was done. P.S there is a code in the manual that lets you see what happened after Flora was saved.