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Lady Layton Features Multiple Mystery Cases

 Video games  No Responses »  Tagged with: , ,
Jul 292016
 

Layton-Detective-AgencyLevel-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?

Lady Layton Stars Professor Layton’s Daughter

 Video games  2 Responses »  Tagged with: , ,
Jul 272016
 

Last month, Level-5 thrilled us with the news that a new main-series Professor Layton game was in development after all.

Now they have unveiled that game: Lady Layton!

Lady-Layton

The new game’s full title translates to something like Lady Layton: The Conspiracy of King Millionaire Ariadne, but let’s just call it Lady Layton for now.

When I first saw the title, I thought the main character might be Flora, but instead it stars Catriel Layton, Professor Layton’s daughter. She runs a detective agency and solves strange mysteries around London. She’s also searching for her father, who has disappeared.

Her companion is a talking dog named Sharo, who helps her solve the strange cases she receives. Let’s take a look at the trailer to see them in action.

There’s a lot to take in, but first let’s celebrate the fact that we’re getting a new Layton game! And if it does well, more Lady Layton games seem all but a given.

Okay, now let’s talk about the new game.

Who is Catriel Layton?

Catriel (and it’s not clear yet if that’s how her name will be localized) is a completely new character. She was never mentioned or hinted at before, and it raises related questions.

First, where is Flora? As Professor Layton’s adopted daughter, she’s the first person many fans thought of. What is she doing now? Does she consider Catriel a younger sister? Will we see her in Lady Layton?

Second, is Catriel Alfendi’s sister? Alfendi Layton only appeared in the spin-off game Layton Brothers: Mystery Room, so his placement in canon is uncertain. Will he play any role in Catriel’s story?

Third, who is her mother? This question was first raised about Alfendi, and it remains unanswered. Professor Layton’s only known love interest is out of the question, so where did his children come from? Of course, it’s possible one or both of them is adopted.

Click for Azran Legacy spoilers, implied Layton Brothers spoiler
Personally, it’s so easy to imagine Alfendi as a blood relative of Descole and Bronev, I hope he’s not adopted.

In short, Catriel herself is a huge mystery, particularly when it comes to her placement in the Layton family. However, since she’s the star of the game, we should learn a lot about her.

Professor Layton Has Disappeared?

Catriel doesn’t become a detective just because she likes solving mysteries, but because she wants to solve one big mystery in particular: the disappearance of her father.

This should be a major part of the plot, but it already tells us one important thing: wherever Lady Layton is in the timeline, it’s not the same time as Layton Brothers.

Click for minor Layton Brothers spoiler
Layton Brothers ends with Barton talking to Professor Layton on the phone, and nothing in the game gives any indication that he’s missing.

However, Layton Brothers also implies Alfendi and Professor Layton are estranged for unknown reasons, so maybe the two are connected.

A Talking Dog?

Sharo is one of the most bizarre aspects of the announcement. Layton stories are pretty far out there, but a talking dog still seems out of place for the universe.

Until we see proof otherwise, I believe Catriel shares Luke’s ability to communicate with animals. That is, Sharo sounds like a normal dog to everyone else, but she can understand him.

My Hopes

Personally, I hope these mysteries all have answers. I also hope Alfendi is Catriel’s brother, even if he isn’t yet the Alfendi we know from the spin-off.

And I do hope Flora appears. She was neglected enough in the first trilogy without being ignored again in a sequel. Overall, though, I just wanted a solid Layton game, and this looks like it will deliver.

Lady Layton looks fantastic, and I can’t wait to learn more about it. It will be made for the 3DS, iOS, and Android, with its Japanese release date set for spring 2017.

Let me know your thoughts on Lady Layton in the comments!

Rhythm Thief is Like a Musical Layton Game

 Reviews, Video games  4 Responses »  Tagged with: , ,
Jul 202016
 

Rhythm-ThiefRhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure is a fantastic game, and I say this as someone who generally dislikes rhythm games.

More than anything else, Rhythm Thief feels like a Professor Layton game with rhythm games instead of puzzles. You will encounter occasional puzzles, but they’re mild and usually based on audio cues.

You move from screen to screen to traverse Paris, interact with NPCs around the city, and tap the screen to search for secrets.

While a Layton game rewards your tapping with hint coins, you’ll find a variety of things in Rhythm Thief.

Medals, the most common, can be used to buy movies, items to make a rhythm game easier (or harder), and more. Sometimes you’ll find Phantom Note pieces, collectibles for a side quest. You can also find Sound Disks, which add music tracks to your gallery.

Finally, you’ll find sounds you can record. Some are required to advance the story, while others are part of a side quest.

As you’ve probably guessed, music themes are prevalent throughout Rhythm Thief, both in its gameplay and story. Its excellent soundtrack makes this enjoyable.

Now, the main reason I enjoy Rhythm Thief more than other rhythm/music games is that it’s story driven. And much like a Professor Layton game, its story becomes completely insane.

You play Raphael, whose father vanished three years ago, leaving behind a coin marked with a mysterious symbol. Raphael adopts a secret identity as “Phantom R,” a thief, and hunts for clues about his father’s whereabouts. His search leads him to a girl named Marie, whose violin bears the same symbol.

But Marie is pursued by Napoleon, who has risen from the dead to reclaim his throne with the help of an ancient treasure Marie is the key to finding.

Fighting the Chevaliers Diabolique

Fighting the Chevaliers Diabolique

Yes, we have a musically-inclined thief facing off against an undead Napoleon (and his “Chevaliers Diabolique”) while searching for ancient treasure. It’s crazy and awesome!

The story and characters kept me invested in Rhythm Thief. The overall gameplay is enjoyable (more so if you like rhythm games), although the few rhythm games that use the gyroscope are frustrating and the Phantom Notes seem to adjust positions in a way that was probably meant to be helpful but ended up annoying.

There’s only one other thing I can criticize about Rhythm Thief. While the main story is wrapped up, it ends with a clear cliffhanger and sequel hook… for a sequel that never came.

In 2012, the producer expressed interest in making a sequel. Four years later, it still hasn’t happened.

That’s too bad, because it sets the stage nicely for an epic sequel. Maybe someday? Nevertheless, I recommend Rhythm Thief without reservations, even if you aren’t a big fan of rhythm games.

Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure may be difficult to find physically, but digital copies are available from the Nintendo eShop.

(There was a mobile port called Rhythm Thief & the Paris Caper, but it was discontinued.)

I hope we see a Rhythm Thief 2 someday. In the meantime, let me know your thoughts on or questions about the game in the comments.

Buy Rhythm Thief and the Emperor’s Treasure from the Nintendo eShop
Buy Rhythm Thief and the Emperor’s Treasure from Amazon

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