Professor Layton and the Unwound Future

by Nintendo

Product Features

• A large cast of eccentric non-player characters, as well as an invocative soundtrack designed to match the varied game environments and gameplay
• More than 165 new puzzles weave seamlessly into the storyline, challenging player with fun, brain-teasing logic puzzles and riddles, and even new types of puzzles
• This game features significantly more hand-drawn animated sequences and voice acting than the previous installment of the series
• Players who are still stumped with a puzzle after three subtle hints can select the new "superhint" option to point them toward a solution
• As with previous incarnations in the franchise, weekly downloadable puzzles will be available after launch for a limited time

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B003O6E7DI
• Product Dimensions: 4.9 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches ; 1.1 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 12, 2010
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #773 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #4 in Video Games > Nintendo DS > Puzzle
  • #32 in Video Games > Nintendo DS > All Games

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is a unique puzzle adventure for Nintendo DS and DSi in which the player reveals the game's story and unravels its mystery little by little with each puzzle successfully solved. The third US release in the popular Professor Layton game franchise, Unwound Future contains the same addictive gameplay, hand-painted art style graphics and invocative music as its two predecessors, making it a must-have title for both new puzzle players and longtime fans of the series. Additional features include: 165 built-in puzzles, easy to use hint and game save systems and additional puzzles available for download on a weekly basis for a limited time following game launch.

Story

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future places the professor and his trusted apprentice Luke at the center of a spellbinding adventure after they receive a strange letter – sent by Luke 10 years in the future. According to this message something is askew in the days to come. The London of the future is in chaos and disarray, and according to Luke, the only person who can help set things right is Professor Layton.

An all-new Professor Layton puzzle adventure that mixes in the prospect of time travel.
View larger.

Gameplay

Like all games in the Professor Layton series Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is a single player puzzle adventure. Puzzles are essentially brainteasers touching on a large variety of puzzle types, including spatial orientation, logic, riddles and many more. The game's story reveals itself as the player successfully solves a minimum number of puzzles that she/he faces using the DS stylus to move throughout the game's hand-drawn style game environments. Success at puzzle solving earns the player in-game coins. A certain number of coins can also found by simply exploring the game environment. Players are given multiple chances to solve puzzles and when stuck can choose to spend coins in order to buy hints. The game keeps track of puzzles found, puzzles solved, the player's score and playing time, and features easy-to-use save functionality, a journal for note keeping and an area to save items found for later use. In addition to the game's 165 built-in puzzles, additional puzzles will be available for download on a weekly basis for a limited time after game launch.

Key Game Features

• More than 165 new puzzles weave seamlessly into the storyline, challenging player with fun, brain-teasing logic puzzles and riddles, and even new types of puzzles
• This game features significantly more hand-drawn animated sequences and voice acting than the previous installment of the series
• Players who are still stumped with a puzzle after three subtle hints can select the new "superhint" option to point them toward a solution
• As with previous incarnations in the franchise, weekly downloadable puzzles will be available after launch for a limited time
• A large cast of eccentric non-player characters, as well as an invocative soundtrack designed to match the varied game environments and gameplay

Additional Screenshots

165 brain-teasing puzzles. View larger.

In-game hint system. View larger.

Eccentric characters. View larger.

Additional downloadable puzzles. View larger.

Product Description

Professor Layton receives a letter asking for help from Luke. The strange thing is that this letter is from 10 years in the future, and the Luke in question is not Professor Layton’s young apprentice, but rather his older self. According to the future Luke, the London of the future has been brought to the brink of ruin by Professor Layton’s future self, who is the head of the largest crime syndicate in town. It seems the only man who can save London and stop the evil Professor Layton of the future is Professor Layton himself.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Professor Layton Yet, September 16, 2010

By 

Steve (HOLDEN, MA, United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (Video Game)

The latest entry in the Professor Layton series is pretty much the perfect portable game, assuming of course that you're into puzzle solving. It's fun and quick to pick up and play, with high production values and a ton of content. If you've played earlier entries in the series, then you won't be too surprised by this one - it follows a fairly similar formula. Professor Layton and Luke (his faithful assistant) travel to London in order to see a demonstration of a brand new invention: the Time Machine. Things go a little haywire with the demonstration, and then a few days later the Professor receives a letter in the mail from Luke - sent from 10 years in the future! This kicks off a whole adventure of puzzle solving, and things only get crazier from there.

This game has 12 chapters, and a total of 165 puzzles - which should be enough to keep anyone busy for a while. There's a hint system available in case you get stuck, just like previous entries in the series. As you play through the game, you'll collect coins that can be used to purchase hints if you're having trouble with a puzzle. If you're REALLY stuck then you can buy a super hint - which is a new addition to the series and pretty much just tells you the answer to the puzzle. So don't worry too much about getting stuck and frustrated.

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is a lot of fun to look at. They did a fantastic job with the art style and animation, and there's even some decent voiceover work. If you're a fan of the Professor Layton series then you should pick this game up immediately. If you haven't played any of the previous entries and you're into puzzle game, then definitely give this one a shot. You don't need to know about any of the previous games in order to enjoy it, and it really is one of the more polished DS games available.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Professor Layton to Date~So fun, September 14, 2010

By 

kindred spirit (God's Country) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (Video Game)

I got this yesterday and played for 3 hours straight without noticing time passing. Funny because it is about time travel. There are so far no repeat puzzles and they are challenging. I love the story line of Luke and the professor traveling to the future. The animation is the best yet. There are a lot more scenes where Luke and the Professort talk just like a video and some of the scenes are like a movie of real London.

If you like games that challenge your brain and have a story line to follow this it is. I mastered the first edition and I am almost done with the Diabolical Box one but seem to be stuck in a loop on the train. You still search for hidden coins and talk to people you will recognize from former games. There are 165 puzzles and at the end you can unlock hidden content more games just like the last two.

Love it! Professor Layton fans don't miss this one it is truly the BEST!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not as good as the first 2, November 30, 2010

By 

T. Meyer (U.P., MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (Video Game)

I don't write reviews often, only when there aren't may product reviews already or my opinion varies from the majority of reviews. I am writing this one because of the latter - I am supporting the other reviewer who gave it 3 stars. I should say that I am a fan of the Professor Layton series and have both other games. The first (Curious Village) was my favorite, followed by the Diabolical Box and lastly this one.

No need to review the story line as some have already done that. The story line is fine. The problem is that there is WAY too much dialogue (reading) this time and the puzzles are too easy. It seems that the Curious Village had the best variety of types of puzzles and they seem to be running out of new ideas each time. In this version I like the car mini game, but again I usually solve the routes in minutes - wish they were a bit more challenging. The parrot mini game is clever, but seems disproportionately hard compared to the car mini game. I prefer both of these mini games to the stupid tea one in the Diabolical Box. There is also a sticker mini game that I don't care for. It's not too easy or hard, I just think it's dumb / perhaps it's too much reading again for me in my gaming preference. As for the new "super hint" option, I guess I like the option. It's good for when my 10 yr old daughter plays. She can decide if it's worth it to buy the extra hint or not. The "super hint" really does spell out the solution for you. Before this, I was my daughter's super hint!! Now it will cost her!

Overall I'm glad I bought the game. I am a puzzle fan. I would also buy it as a gift for someone who likes the series, but if choosing only one of the 3 - go with the Curious Village. If you are tight on $$ you might want to wait for a used copy or discounted price. I think for puzzle games out there, the Layton series is the best. I will certainly by the next one in the series if there is a next one.