DS Preview: Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Format: Nintendo DS
Launch Date: 02/10/08
ESRB: E (Everyone): Mild Violence
Game Type: Puzzle Adventure
Players: 1
Developer: Level 5

KEY INFORMATION
In the curious village of St. Mystere, townsfolk speak to each other in riddles, lock their doors with sliding puzzles and hide their secrets within brainteasers. When a wealthy baron passes away, his will reveals an elusive treasure hidden someplace inside the village. Now it's up to Professor Layton to untangle St. Mystere's riddles and puzzles, find the hidden treasure, and crack the case.

• As Professor Layton, players tackle more than 130 puzzles as they unravel the mysteries of the village. Challenges range from mazes and riddles to logic and sliding puzzles, many of which are new for the North American release. Touch-screen controls make working through puzzles a snap for players of all skill levels, and new puzzles are available weekly for download via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
  
  
• Unlike other puzzle-driven titles, Professor Layton is the first to offer a story, cast of characters and style that are just as strong as the game play. Fully voiced animated scenes bring the story to life, while the funny and eccentric villagers and the classic, hand-drawn art provide a stylish charm that will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike.
  

Game storyline: When the wealthy Baron Augustus Reinhold passes away, his will reveals a hidden treasure in the village of St. Mystere. Unable to locate the treasure themselves, the baron's family calls upon renowned puzzle expert Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke, for help. Upon the pair's arrival, their search for the treasure is interrupted by the suspicious death of another member of the Reinhold family. Now with two mysteries on their hands, Professor Layton and Luke must work their way through the village's many puzzles, riddles and brainteasers to find the truth.

How to progress through the game: The storyline and puzzles are tightly integrated, so that as you explore the world and progress through the adventure, you will encounter more and more puzzles. Many of the puzzles are new to the North American release.

Characters: Archaeologist and puzzle master Professor Layton, his wide-eyed apprentice, Luke, and a host of quirky townsfolk.

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Content: Each week for half a year, a new puzzle will be available for download via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Steve's notes
The above is straight out of the mouth of Nintendo. That is why I am taking a moment to share my own thoughts on this game.

In a way this game reminds me of Animal Crossing. Early on (for the DS version) Nintendo was very busy with in-game events and sending messages to players via Nintendo WFC. I think the last message my copy of Animal Crossing received from Nintendo was a few years ago. I still play the game, but nothing "new" happens.

With Nintendo telling us that for the first six months they will be supporting the game with a new puzzle every week I can't help but wonder what happens after those six months. What if you buy the game one month after launch, will you miss out on four puzzles?

I'm not trying to knock the game here I'm just being realistic.

Screen Shots