 | 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 Diabolical Box
- Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
- Price: $29.99
- Genre: Puzzle
Common Sense Media says
Compelling mystery full of devilishly fun logic puzzles.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's it about?
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.
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.
What families can talk about
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?
How important were the characters to your enjoyment of this game? How about the dialogue and the scenery? The music? What components are necessary to make a game great?
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AGE
A great game for the young and the bright.
One of the most spectacular educational games ever created for the main reason that it is barely possible to notice it is an educational game. It has beutiful music and graphics that are comperable of point and click adventures you would find on the pc. The puzzles are addicting and give a good hint system that reward explorers. The puzzles are well intergrated to the story.
the only age appropriate issue is the difficulty of the puzzles but this is a game that rewards the bright and while younge kids will just be frustrated an older, bright child will be rewarded by such an entertaining games.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 30, 2010
AGE
Best...game...ever!
test problems seem like the puzzles now.
there is a death in the beginning, and some over protective adults may say "oh, no. you cant play that. people get hurt." but really. death is unseen, and its not even real.
puzzles can be hard, but some puzzles are not required to continue with the game, so one may skip through some puzzles.
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AGE
Personally, my favorite for the Nintendo DS!
It might be too challenging for children under 12, and maybe a bit frightening, but it is just perfect for 12 and up. If you love puzzles, this is for you!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Great educational game
Everything about this game is good, from the music to the puzzles and the good storyline. The only iffy thing is at a point in the game they sort of happen upon a strip bar (although they pass it off as a "theater" and the strippe- er, actor is flirting with luke and layton.
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Kid, 10 years old
June 3, 2010
AGE
pretty intense at some times but amazing just like the first one no real deaths but in a different way this time
LOVE IT!! It is great they made Flora come back. Kinda weird who Don Paola Disguisea as this time.....FLORA!!
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AGE
free stuff
u guys know u can get this for free, right? just go to: tinyurl*/2dvmv9d
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AGE
PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE DIABOLICAL BOX: 94% - CERTIFIED FRESH!
Suitable for gamers of all ages, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is a wonderful gaming experience that combines puzzles, mysteries, and a knack for adventure.
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AGE
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!
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Puzzle |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | August 24, 2009 |
| Price: | $29.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Alcohol Reference, Mild Violence |
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