For a while now, we’ve known the upcoming Professor Layton game as Lady Layton: The Millionaire Ariadone’s Conspiracy.

It now has a new title, Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy.

(Note: I originally made the title seem even longer, since I thought “Ariadone’s” was still included.)

That’s quite a name. Why the change? My guess would be that since every other game in the series has had just “Layton” in the title, they thought “Lady Layton” made it sound like a spin-off, but they still wanted to reference the new protagonist.

The lengthy title might also suggest the start of a new trilogy, since “Layton’s Mystery Journey” followed by a subtitle sounds like we can anticipate more games about this mysterious journey.

Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy will be out for the 3DS in Japan on July 20, as well as worldwide on iOS and Android.

The worldwide 3DS release will come sometime later.

In other words, everyone outside of Japan can either get the mobile version on July 20 or wait until the 3DS localization is ready.

Oddly, the mobile version includes in-app purchases that won’t be necessary to buy to complete the game. I can’t imagine what sort of optional in-app purchases a Layton game could have (extra hint coins?), but maybe they’re included in the 3DS version from the start.

What do you think of Lady Layton’s new title? Will you get Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy on July 20, or wait for the worldwide 3DS release?

Level-5 has revealed new details about Lady Layton: The Millionaire Ariadone’s Conspiracy.

First, the protagonist’s name is Katrielle, or Kat for short.

Second, the title has also been confirmed as The Millionaire Ariadone’s Conspiracy.

Third, it sounds like the game’s structure will be different from previous main-series Layton titles:

The story will focus less on dynamic problem-solving and more on solving multiple mystery cases observed in the everyday lives of Londoners, which will bring a faster tempo and more comical tone to the series.”

The Professor Layton games always sent the professor on a mission to learn the truth behind some strange, large-scale mystery. Since Katrielle runs a detective agency, it makes sense that she will be in London solving cases.

The game’s title and Kat’s search for her father suggest it still has an overarching mystery. It will be interesting to see how the game is structured. Layton Brothers: Mystery Room structured its cases similarly to Ace Attorney, with individual mysteries tied into the main plot.

The official description also says “The creators of the puzzles and brain-teasers, the core element of the series, will also be new.”

This could be great (the later titles already took steps toward adding new types of puzzles), but it’s also worrying. However, the trailer does show a few puzzles, all of which look like fair Layton material.

Speaking of which, Bolt2nd uploaded a subtitled version of the trailer. Let’s take a look.

The dog’s reactions to Kat’s deductions might be the best part of this trailer, especially given the crazy stuff Professor Layton figured out in the past.

Why are your ridiculous ideas always right on the mark?”

However, the subtitles also make it seem like Noah, at least, can also understand him, so it’s not just Kat. Is he really a talking dog? Do they both have Luke’s power? It feels rather odd, but the series has always done some odd things.

Lady Layton: The Millionaire Ariadone’s Conspiracy is definitely making changes to the Professor Layton formula, but I’m excited for what sounds like a great new entry in the series. Best of all, Level-5 also confirmed they’re targeting a 2017 release for Lady Layton in the West, which might make it the quickest localization of any Layton game.

What are your thoughts on Lady Layton’s multiple mysteries and other changes?