Table of Contents

Overview

Professor Layton: The Last Specter is the third installment in the popular Professor Layton puzzle-adventure game series for the Nintendo DS. Originally released in Japan in 2009, it was localized for North America and Europe in 2010. The game follows Professor Hershel Layton, a brilliant archaeologist and puzzle enthusiast, as he investigates a series of mysterious disappearances in London.

Gameplay

Professor Layton: The Last Specter combines traditional point-and-click adventure elements with challenging puzzles in a unique and engaging gameplay experience. Players navigate through a variety of environments, interacting with characters, solving puzzles, and unraveling the game’s intricate story.

The puzzles in Professor Layton: The Last Specter are known for their clever design and variety. Players encounter a wide range of puzzles, including logic puzzles, riddles, and sliding puzzles. Solving these puzzles rewards players with Hint Coins, which can be used to purchase hints when stuck.

Story

The story of Professor Layton: The Last Specter begins with Professor Layton receiving a letter from his old friend, Professor Sycamore, pleading for help. Sycamore has disappeared in the midst of investigating a series of mysterious disappearances in London. Intrigued, Professor Layton and his young apprentice, Luke, set out to investigate.

As they delve deeper into their investigation, Layton and Luke encounter a cast of eccentric characters, including a master thief, a wandering spirit, and a enigmatic woman with a connection to Layton’s past. The duo faces numerous challenges and puzzles along the way, as they uncover the truth behind the disappearances and the identity of the mysterious "Last Specter."

Characters

Professor Hershel Layton: A brilliant archaeologist and puzzle enthusiast, known for his distinctive hat and magnifying glass.
Luke Triton: Professor Layton’s young apprentice, who accompanies him on his investigations.
Inspector Chelmey: An incompetent Scotland Yard inspector who often interferes with Layton’s investigations.
Flora Reinhold: A master thief with a mysterious connection to Layton’s past.
Spectra: A ghost-like entity that appears throughout the game, guiding Layton and Luke towards the truth.

Puzzles

Professor Layton: The Last Specter features over 150 puzzles of varying difficulty. The puzzles are categorized into five types:

Puzzle Type	Description
Logic Puzzles	Requires logical reasoning and deduction
Riddles	Requires creative thinking and wordplay
Sliding Puzzles	Requires moving blocks or tiles to solve the puzzle
Path Puzzles	Requires finding the correct path through a maze
Maze Puzzles	Requires navigating through a maze filled with obstacles

Reception

Professor Layton: The Last Specter received critical acclaim upon its release. It was praised for its engaging story, challenging puzzles, and charming characters. The game has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling Nintendo DS games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Professor Layton: The Last Specter suitable for children?
A: Yes, the game is rated E for Everyone and is appropriate for players of all ages.

Q: How many puzzles are there in Professor Layton: The Last Specter?
A: The game features over 150 unique puzzles.

Q: Who is the antagonist of Professor Layton: The Last Specter?
A: The identity of the antagonist is revealed throughout the game’s story.

Q: Is there a sequel to Professor Layton: The Last Specter?
A: Yes, the sequel, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, was released in 2011.

References:

Professor Layton: The Last Specter

Level-5’s Puzzle Game Series

Level-5 is a Japanese video game developer best known for the Professor Layton and Inazuma Eleven series. However, it has also created a series of puzzle games known for their unique blend of gameplay mechanics and engaging stories. These games include:

Professor Layton’s Mystery Journey: A puzzle adventure game where players solve puzzles to progress through the story.
Layton Brothers: Mystery Room: A multiplayer puzzle game where players work together to solve puzzles.
The Snack World: A dungeon-crawling puzzle game set in a whimsical world.
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords: A puzzle-RPG hybrid where players match gems to attack enemies and solve quests.
Fantasy Life: A role-playing game where players can choose from a variety of life classes, including a puzzle-solving class.

These puzzle games showcase Level-5’s innovative approach to game design, offering a mix of brain-teasing puzzles, charming characters, and immersive storytelling.

Nintendo DS Exclusive

The Nintendo DS (Dual Screen) was a handheld video game console by Nintendo. It was released in 2004 and discontinued in 2013. It featured two LCD screens, a D-pad, and four face buttons. The system’s unique selling point was the ability to use the stylus to interact with games in new and innovative ways.

Many exclusive games were released for the Nintendo DS, including:

Super Mario 64 DS: A remake of the classic Nintendo 64 game.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass: A sequel to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Animal Crossing: Wild World: A social simulation game.
Mario Kart DS: A kart racing game.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Role-playing games.

These games showcase the unique capabilities of the Nintendo DS and demonstrate the system’s potential for innovation and creativity.

Professor Layton Spin-Offs

The Professor Layton series has also spawned several spin-off titles:

Layton Brothers: Mystery Room: A puzzle game for mobile devices featuring two new characters, Luke and Alfendi Layton.
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: A crossover game with the Ace Attorney series, featuring a mystery involving both Layton and Phoenix Wright.
Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy: A new entry in the series featuring Professor Layton’s daughter, Katrielle.
Professor Layton and the Curious Village EXHD: An enhanced version of the original Professor Layton game for the Nintendo 3DS.
Professor Layton’s London Life: A life simulation game in which players can explore London and interact with the characters from the series.
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy Mobile: A mobile port of the final entry in the main Professor Layton trilogy.

Professor Layton’s World

Professor Layton’s World is a video game compilation for the Nintendo Switch. It includes three puzzle-solving games: Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box, and Professor Layton and the Lost Future. The games follow the adventures of Professor Layton, a renowned archaeologist and puzzle solver, and his assistant Luke as they investigate various mysteries and puzzles. The compilation includes a variety of puzzles, minigames, and bonus content, including new story elements and behind-the-scenes looks at the development of the series.

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a crossover video game that combines the characters and gameplay of two popular puzzle and adventure game franchises: Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. The game was developed by Level-5 and Capcom and released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012.

The story follows Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright as they team up to investigate a mysterious murder that took place seven years ago. The case leads them to the village of Labyrinthia, where they must unravel the secrets of a hidden labyrinth and find the true culprit behind the crime.

Gameplay is a unique blend of the two franchises, with traditional puzzle-solving from Professor Layton and courtroom battles from Phoenix Wright. Players control Professor Layton as he explores Labyrinthia, solving puzzles to uncover clues, and Phoenix Wright as he defends his client in court, presenting evidence and cross-examining witnesses.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a puzzle adventure game developed by Level-5 and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. The game follows Professor Hershel Layton and his assistant Luke Triton as they investigate a mysterious village called St. Mystere, which is said to be hiding a fortune. Along the way, they encounter a cast of quirky characters and solve over 150 puzzles.

The game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 17 million copies worldwide. It spawned two sequels, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box and Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, as well as a number of spin-off titles.

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

Professor Hershel Layton and his young apprentice, Luke Triton, are summoned to the town of Misthallery by a wealthy baroness, Lady Dahlia Ainsworth. She explains that her late father, Dr. Raymond, predicted that she would die within 24 hours upon receiving a mysterious box. Layton and Luke agree to investigate the box and the circumstances surrounding Dr. Raymond’s death.

As they delve into the mystery, Layton and Luke uncover a series of puzzles and riddles that lead them to hidden clues about Dr. Raymond’s past and the nature of the box. They also encounter a group of enigmatic individuals, including the enigmatic Anton Herzen, who claims to know the truth about Dr. Raymond’s prediction.

With time running out, Layton and Luke race against the clock to uncover the secrets of the box, unravel the truth about Dr. Raymond’s death, and save Lady Dahlia from the looming threat. Along the way, they learn valuable lessons about the power of knowledge, the importance of trust, and the strength of friendship.

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is the third installment in the Professor Layton series of puzzle-adventure video games.

In this installment, Professor Layton, his assistant Luke, and Flora Reinhold travel to the future to prevent a catastrophic chain of events. They discover a dystopian London in 10 years and meet their future selves. As they investigate the mysteries surrounding the future and the disappearance of Luke’s sister, Aurora, they uncover a plot to alter the past and change the fate of London.

Throughout their journey, Layton, Luke, and Flora solve numerous puzzles while unraveling a complex and time-bending conspiracy that threatens the present and future. They must use their intellect and determination to restore the timeline and prevent the catastrophe that awaits them.

Professor Layton and the Last Time Travel

Professor Hershel Layton and his young apprentice Luke Triton embark on a thrilling time-traveling adventure. After receiving a mysterious letter from a time traveler claiming to be from the future, Layton and Luke must travel through different eras to solve puzzles and uncover the truth.

Throughout their journey, they encounter enigmatic characters, face dangerous traps, and unravel the secrets of time travel. As they progress, they discover a sinister plot that threatens to alter the very fabric of history.

With their incredible intellect and unwavering determination, Layton and Luke must race against time to prevent a catastrophic event and ensure the safety of the future.

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask

Professor Layton and his young assistant Luke embark on a perilous adventure in the enigmatic town of Monte d’Or, known for its legendary Miracle Mask. The mask, said to grant miraculous powers, has fallen into the wrong hands, threatening the town’s safety.

Layton and Luke delve into the town’s secrets, solving cryptic puzzles and uncovering hidden clues. They encounter colorful characters, including the enigmatic Lady Dahlia, who seems to hold the key to the mask’s origin.

As they navigate the labyrinthine streets and forbidden areas, Layton and Luke face danger at every turn. The mask’s true powers prove to be a double-edged sword, threatening both the town and the professor’s own sanity.

In a race against time, Layton and Luke must unmask the true nature of the Miracle Mask and restore peace to Monte d’Or. To succeed, they must unravel a web of deception and confront the darkness that threatens to consume the town.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy

Professor Layton and his assistant, Luke Triton, embark on a thrilling adventure to uncover the secrets of an ancient civilization known as the Azrans. Guided by a mysterious journal, they travel across the globe, solving puzzles and deciphering clues to unravel the enigma behind the Azran Legacy.

Along the way, they encounter a cast of captivating characters, including Emmy Altava, a young girl with a remarkable ability to communicate with animals, and Randall Ascot, a renowned archeologist who has dedicated his life to the study of the Azrans.

As they delve deeper into their investigation, Layton and Luke uncover a sinister plot that threatens to unleash a devastating power. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, they must face their greatest challenges yet and expose the hidden truths that lie at the heart of the Azran Legacy.