 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
- Nintendo 3DS
- Price: $39.99
- Genre: Puzzle
Common Sense Media says
Superb puzzler is a smart treat for kids and their parents.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is collection of more than 100 puzzles that puts kids' thinkers to the test. It forces players to use logic, employ spatial reasoning skills, think hard about tricky word problems, and apply basic math skills. There's virtually no violence, and the game's generous, smart, and helpful heroes make for terrific role models, acting as proof that calm reasoning and kindness are our best tools when tackling tough mysteries. Parents need to remember that Nintendo is warning all parents not to allow kids age six and under to view the graphics in 3D because that viewing "may cause vision damage." The Nintendo 3DS offers parents the ability to lock out the use of 3D graphics in the system's Parental Controls.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about puzzle solving, practice reading comprehension, and think about math in this challenging and satisfying collection of conundrums. Some puzzles test kids' abilities to recognize patterns and sequences, while other tricky riddles force them to carefully analyze what they read to properly understand what's being asked of them. Most puzzles involve some degree of lateral thinking, forcing kids to examine problems in unusual ways. With more than 100 brainteasers and several mysteries, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask provides many ways for kids to practice logical thinking and to learn by experimenting.
Subjects
- Language & Readingreading, reading comprehension
- Mathalgebra, patterns, sequences
- Science
- Social Studies
- Arts
- Hobbiescollecting
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningdeduction, logic, solving puzzles
- Creativityimagination
- Self-Direction
- Emotional Development
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitness
What's it about?
The first 3DS game to star Nintendo's dapper doctor, PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE MIRACLE MASK is another entry in the series' current string of prequels. Layton, his assistant Emmy, and his apprentice Luke travel to the city of Monte d'Or to investigate a series of incidents caused by a mysterious "Masked Gentleman," who is wreaking havoc and scaring tourists. As in past Professor Layton games, players journey from one scene to another, combing for clues by searching around the screen. They'll initiate conversations with peculiar locals -- a clown, a policeman, a shopkeeper -- who often offer our intrepid trio a puzzle of some sort. The bulk of the game is spent solving these puzzles, allowing the story to progress and its many mysteries one-by-one to be resolved. Outside the main narrative lie side-story episodes, loads of interesting virtual objects to collect, and three mini-games that have players guiding a robot through mazes, helping a store owner sell her wares, and training a bunny so he can rejoin his friends in the circus.
Is it any good?
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask looks a bit different than its precursors. The story is presented in 3D on the top screen, with players able to shift perspective by scrolling around using their stylus. However, the rest of the game is, by and large, business as usual -- which is just fine. No other franchise delivers such a broad array of enjoyable brain breakers accessible enough that 6th and 7th graders should be able to work through them without too much trouble yet sufficiently challenging so that even adults can feel a sense of satisfaction upon completing them.
Returning fans will recognize the style of many of the game's puzzles. Some force you to carefully analyze images, others are tricky riddles, and still others involve clever application of basic math skills -- but each one is different enough from the last that boredom never sets in. Add in yet another engaging story filled with quirky personalities and several seemingly unsolvable grand mysteries, and you have a recipe for a very memorable Professor Layton adventure. Don't miss it.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the fun involved in solving puzzles. What sorts of real-world puzzles have you recently solved? How do you feel when you figure out the answer to a tricky riddle?
Families can also discuss the strategies stores employ to sell us things. Did this game's shop mini-game make you think about the tactics real-world stores use to make you buy more stuff? Can you think of any instances in which you purchased things you later realized you didn't really need or even want? How can you avoid this in the future?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about puzzle solving, practice reading comprehension, and think about math in this challenging and satisfying collection of conundrums. Some puzzles test kids' abilities to recognize patterns and sequences, while other tricky riddles force them to carefully analyze what they read to properly understand what's being asked of them. Most puzzles involve some degree of lateral thinking, forcing kids to examine problems in unusual ways. With more than 100 brainteasers and several mysteries, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask provides many ways for kids to practice logical thinking and to learn by experimenting.
Subjects
- Language & Reading: reading, reading comprehension
- Math: algebra, patterns, sequences
- Science:
- Social Studies:
- Arts:
- Hobbies: collecting
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning: deduction, logic, solving puzzles
- Creativity: imagination
- Self-Direction:
- Emotional Development:
- Communication:
- Collaboration:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness:
How kids will learn
Kids will learn by solving puzzles. Each riddle challenges players in different ways. One may encourage kids to imagine the mirrored image that will be created by a heavily patterned stamp, and the next may see them reading and then re-rereading a cleverly worded paragraph in an effort to work out how it misleads a casual audience. The variety of puzzles ensures kids switch between pure logic and more creative thinking and back again at a rapid pace. Plus they all come with a set of hints that encourages kids to learn at their own pace.
How parents can help
- Bring a book of riddles along on long car rides. Have someone read them aloud so the whole family can noodle out solutions together.
- Challenge your kids to draw parallels between the game and what they're learning in school. Ask them if they can see the real-world value of what they're learning every day.
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 8 years old
January 27, 2013
AGE
csm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ see my rating^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
for tweens
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Teen, 14 years old
March 22, 2013
AGE
Prof. Layton
Awesome game. buy it. great for kids 10+, iffy for kids 6-9, and not appropriate for 5 & under
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Teen, 13 years old
April 29, 2013
AGE
Best Education Game Ever
The Professor Layton series, and especially Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask are great brain teasing video games. The thought-provoking puzzles and interesting storyline makes the game great for all ages. The only set back in this game is the 3D display, because if you use it for long periods of time (one or more hours), it will make your head hurt. Other than that, 6 out of 5 stars!
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | friendship, great boy role models, great girl role models |
| Platforms: | Nintendo 3DS |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Puzzle |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | October 25, 2012 |
| Price: | $39.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Mild Violence (Nintendo 3DS) |
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