Education: Solving some of these puzzles require math, logic, or just an odd mind. I have all three. Easy to Play: By only using the stylus, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box makes playing devilishly simple. Just tap, tap, and tap. Role Models: Layton constantly reminds his young protoge to "be a gentleman." or " A gentlemen always is polite in the presence of a lady" Layton also whole-heartedly protects all the children that are in sight, even against a presumed vampire. Suggestive Material: In town, there is a Cabaret. You never can go inside, but a lady with a fur boa around her neck. She seems almost provocative, but does nothing to suggest mature material, just tells Layton that " nothing relaxes like a night at the theater"
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Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Compelling mystery full of devilishly fun logic puzzles.
In this game kids can: become a hero, solve puzzles, strategize, use logic to win
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12 and Up
The good stuff
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What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
Parents need to know that this challenging puzzle adventure is a great way to combine education with gaming. The over 150 logic puzzles are incorporated into an interesting mystery. While some of the puzzles must be solved to move the story along, others can be skipped and/or tackled later. All of the puzzles have three very helpful hints, so few seem impossible to solve. There is discussion of death and one fight in which no one is injured. Given the complexity of some of the puzzles, we have set the age appropriateness of this game at age 12 and up. Additional puzzles can be downloaded by using the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection.
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- Families can talk about whether more games ought to combine education with gaming. Can you think of other educational games that are equally as fun?
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More on Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
What’s the Story?
PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE DIABOLICAL BOX is a sequel to last year's award-winning Professor Layton and the Curious Village, but you need not have played the first one to enjoy this mystery adventure. Played on the Nintendo DS, players encounter over 150 logic puzzles and brain teasers while solving the mystery of the Elysian Box, an old artifact that is rumored to kill anyone who opens it. You join Professor Layton, a British chap who is an expert at solving puzzles and mysteries, and his young apprentice Luke, just as the Professor receives a disturbing note from his old friend and mentor, Dr. Andrew Schrader which mentions finding the mysterious Elysian Box. Rushing to Dr. Schrader's side, Professor Layton finds him lying lifeless on the floor. The Elysian Box is missing, and the only clue is a train ticket for the super posh Molentary Express. By traveling on the Molentary Express to a variety of locations, including a quaint farming town and a phantom town that is not on any map, you are able to help Professor Layton solve the mystery of the Elysian Box as well as 9 other minor mysteries. At each location, there are people to talk with, puzzles to solve, and objects to find.
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Is It Any Good?
What makes this puzzle game so much fun is that most of the puzzles fit nicely into the story. For example, when the train needs to switch tracks inside a tunnel, you must solve a puzzle about moving two trains between switching areas while keeping the cars in order. Other puzzles are presented by quirky characters; and, if you don't solve their puzzle, they won't tell you what they know. But not all puzzles are tied to moving the story forward; some you can skip with no consequence, and visit them later.
Another reason this game is so good is because it is structured to help you succeed. At each location, you can hunt for hint coins by simply tapping on objects in a scene. With these coins, you can purchase up to three hints for every puzzle. The game reminds you where you are in the story and provides you with a journal to consult, which is helpful since this is a complicated story. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is a visually exciting game, with wonderful hand-drawn watercolor scenes. Plus the dialogue is witty and some of it is even spoken aloud. All in all, this is a superb game for kids ages 12 and up and all adults who love logic puzzles.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 8/24/2009, price $29.99, online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Alcohol Reference, Mild Violence)
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Alcohol Reference, Mild Violence)
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Easy to play
Hard puzzles build brains!
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Whoops!
Whoops I forgot to rate it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
BEST GAME EVER
I thought this game was simply enchanting!!! I finished it just today. It was hard, but I got through it! The one thing I am upset about is that the girl, Flora, is totally helpless! She feels faint from exitment every 3 seconds! But the new game in japan, professor layton and the spector's flute, has a girl that does some serious stunts. Sweet!
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
super interesting
the puzzles are super hard but loads of fun! i finished it in a day!! i dont think anyone younger than 10 should play it, just because it might be too complicated and end up being as waste of money.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
thanks
its the best parental control ever
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