Mind Bending Professor Layton

For those looking for educational video games for their kids to play in the car, the Nintendo DS has a game that fits the bill. “Professor Layton and the Curious Village” is more than just a catchy title, it is a game that will keep challenging IQ levels rather than encouraging another chorus of “The Wheels On The Bus” during long car trips.

The game, originally released in Japan, is the first in a trilogy series that is set to hit the market in the coming years.  The game is set up as a point and click exercise which provides mental challenges to players.  There are over 120 brain teasers according to experts, which is sure to extend the life of the game as it will stay interesting for a longer period of time.  The leading characters of the game, the Professor Layton of the title and his associate Luke, are looking all through the town of St. Mystere for the prize of the “Golden Apple” which can only be located by solving the puzzles left behind by the apple’s previous owner, Baron Reinhold.  Players are able to control both the Professor and Luke on their search through the village, although the majority of the game play involves working through various mental challenges.

The second installment, “Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box,” has already been released in Japan and will be on its way to North America in the near future.  Gamers have enjoyed the first game due to the fact that they are able to replay the game, as play as affected based on the choices that they make during the course of the game. However, the general plot does remain constant no matter which path you choose to take.