Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask

Fundamentally, it’s hard to bear a grudge against a game with such generosity of spirit and pleasant delivery. But having tangled with mythical sea beasts and alternate Londons, isn’t it time for Layton to solve the greatest mystery of all: where does he go next?

The game may take somewhat longer than usual to find its stride, and sliding the stylus simply isn’t as fulfilling as tapping it when it comes to world exploration, but the game’s accomplishments far outweigh these trifling complaints. Puzzle lovers young and old should make it a point to unravel the mysteries of the Miracle Mask.

The only real shake up here is the top-down dungeon exploration section that appears later in the game. Here you control Layton in real time, rolling boulders, dodging mummies, and digging up treasure. I’m not sure I’d enjoy an entire game like this, but it is a pleasant diversion from the standard formula. More new elements like this and a less predictable story would help push Miracle Mask up in the overall Layton ranks.