Operation Backlog Completion 2026

Layton’s Mystery Journey Starts a New Series

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Jun 282017
 

In an E3 interview with Nintendo Life, Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino shed more light on the new structure of Layton’s Mystery Journey and where he sees the series going from here.

The reason the new game stars Katrielle instead of Professor Layton is because they wanted to focus more on everyday mysteries instead of epic, world-saving adventures.

Hino thought it would feel strange to take Professor Layton back to more mundane mysteries after all that, and instead decided to “bring in a new character, and then maybe scale up in the same way Layton did, where we start with small mysteries and then maybe five or six games later have a much bigger mystery.”

Five or six games later?

That’s right, this isn’t the end of the Layton series by any means. We’d wondered if Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy would be the start of a new series, especially once it adopted that title instead of Lady Layton, and it is.

Kat won’t necessarily be the protagonist for all of the games, but they do intend to make more Mystery Journey games.

(Also, this just occurred to me. Mystery Journey, Mystery Room? Could there be a connection there after all?)

Not only that, but we might get another Layton movie, too. After Professor Layton and the Eternal Movie, there were rumors of a second movie. Now, Hino says a new movie in the series is “being looked into.”

Finally, while there aren’t any new Layton crossovers in the works, he mentioned that they have “a good relationship with Capcom.” Who knows, maybe the Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright characters will return someday in a new game.

It’s exciting to hear that Layton’s Mystery Journey is the start of a new Layton series. It will also have a stronger emphasis on solving puzzles, with more puzzles than in any previous Professor Layton game. Remember, the worldwide mobile release and Japanese 3DS release is next month, with the localized 3DS release to follow in the fall.

Is There a Connection Between Katrielle Layton and Flora?

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Jun 192017
 

When Level-5 first revealed that the new Layton game would star Professor Layton’s daughter Katrielle, I was among many fans who wondered what this meant for Flora.

After the events of the first game, Professor Layton presumably adopted Flora Reinhold. If they wanted the new game to star his daughter, why invent a new character instead of using his adopted daughter?

Katrielle Layton also bears a resemblance to Flora, most noticeable in the newly-revealed bonus costume. Players who download the digital 3DS version of Layton’s Mystery Journey when it comes out in Japan will receive a costume for Katrielle that puts her in Flora’s outfit.

If you showed me Katrielle in her costume without context, I’d easily believe she was an older Flora.

But they have different eye colors, so it’s pretty clear Katrielle is not Flora. She also would have no reason to hide her identity, especially if she was still going to call herself Professor Layton’s daughter.

(Unless, of course, someone was after her because she was a Reinhold, but it’s still a stretch.)

So then, is there a connection between Katrielle and Flora?

Theories

Some fans think Katrielle is actually Layton and Flora’s daughter. This is highly unlikely. Yes, Layton and Flora aren’t blood relatives, but I just can’t see Level-5 putting Layton in a relationship with his adopted daughter.

Other people have suggested she might be Flora’s daughter with someone else, maybe even Luke. (Being a blood relative of Luke would explain the talking dog.) Why Katrielle uses the name Layton and considers Professor Layton her father would require an explanation, but it’s a definite possibility.

Finally, the similar appearances might just be a coincidence, and Katrielle’s only connection to Flora is that they’re both Professor Layton’s daughters.

What do you think? Is there a connection between Katrielle Layton and Flora? If so, what do you think it is?

New Details and Screenshots from Layton’s Mystery Journey

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May 192017
 

Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy might have a different structure than past Layton games, but the latest details and screenshots confirm it’s still the series we know and love.

The game is split into multiple mysteries, each with its own episode. Episode 01, “Clockwork Streets,” follows Katrielle on an investigation into the theft of Big Ben’s clock hand.

Level-5 introduced two supporting characters involved in this first episode, twin brothers Marc and Reggie Yanchatta. While they’re connected to the first mystery, we also got to see two characters who might be involved in the game’s overarching plot.

The “Seven Millionaires of London” are important to the game, and among them are Ridley Fremens, the mayor of London, and Clerk Gospec, a multi-millionaire who wants Katrielle to investigate an incident at his theater.

From its original title, I assume there is also a millionaire named Ariadone. Since they’re referenced in the game’s title, the seven millionaires will likely play a large role in the game.

As you investigate, you’ll use a magnifying glass to investigate areas on the screen and find puzzles, collectibles, and “Insight Coins.” Insight Coins reveal puzzle hints, and right now it’s unclear if there’s any difference between them and the typical hint coins.

You’ll also need to find a certain number of “investigation points” to advance the story.

Finally, just like every other game in the series, Layton’s Mystery Journey will have mini-games. The first announced is “The Ideal Diner,” where you must listen to a client’s request and create their ideal dinner.

While I’ve been excited for Layton’s Mystery Journey ever since it was first announced as Lady Layton, I was a little concerned that the new structure might dramatically change the gameplay. These screenshots have reassured me. I see plenty of familiar Layton gameplay here, and I’m more excited than ever for Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy.

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