Professor Layton and the Last Specter Review

After almost two years of waiting, Professor Layton and the Last Specter for Nintendo DS has finally made its way stateside. While technically the fourth entry in the Layton series, the game actually acts as a prequel to the other three titles. Whether or not you're familiar with Layton's past adventures, though, this entry marks a high point for the series - one that all fans of mysterious, brain teasing fun should take notice of.

Like all Layton games, Last Specter is a puzzle game/point-and-click adventure hybrid. But although it offers little in the way of innovation, featuring the same basic gameplay of all the other entries, never before has the formula been so polished. The story follows a much younger Layton as he unravels a mystery involving a series of attacks at the hands of a frightening specter. It introduces players to the quaint, quirky town of Misthallery - a colorful character in its own right. Layton, his mysterious new assistant Emmy and his constant companion Luke must traverse every corner of this place to unravel the secret of the specter before it wreaks irrevocable damage on this small, quiet town.

Last Specter also gives players the opportunity to learn how Layton and Luke first crossed paths - a wonderful bit of insight for fans of the franchise. The way the mystery unfolds this go round is quite impressive. Well-paced and clever, with plenty of twists and turns, I was enthralled right up until the very end.

But the story is only the half of it - every inch of this game was thoughtfully and expertly put together. The graphics, which make use of a cartoony yet beautifully detailed, painterly art style, are simply gorgeous. They're essentially just like earlier entries in the series, which is certainly not a bad thing, though perhaps with an added layer of attention to detail that makes the whole thing look a bit sharper and more magnificent. The characters are delightful and well-developed as well, and the multitude of personalities littered throughout Misthallery go a long way in making this world feel real, and in turn making the danger feel immediate.


Even the soundtrack is whimsical and haunting, setting a tone of mystery and charm that lasts the whole adventure through. All this, paired with a brilliant balance between story and gameplay, results in Last Specter representing the best Layton has to offer, improving upon its predecessors in almost every way imaginable, all without compromising the heart and magic the Layton series is known for.

As for the gameplay itself, Last Specter offers a wide range of activities. The main game boasts almost 200 puzzles, some that you'll encounter along the way and some which are hidden throughout the world. Though a handful may be reminiscent of past Layton brain teasers, they each still have their own twist and challenge. Overall the puzzle quality is top-notch, providing plenty of head scratchers for puzzle lovers to unravel. If you choose to avoid hints to raise your number of Picarats (the Layton equivalent of points, which you earn more of by solving puzzles correctly the first try and not using hint coins), some of these puzzles prove quite challenging, which is just what you'd expect from a good Layton game.

Additionally, the game provides plenty of reason to click around and explore each of the many environments, as doing so yields hint coins, hidden puzzles and obscure items for your collection. I became addicted to clicking every square inch of every new area I entered, lest I miss a secret. Of course, hint coins aren't anything new to Layton fans, but they're still a great way to encourage players to interact with the environment.

If you've played the previous three games, the gameplay itself won't offer much in the way of surprises. It's the same brilliant formula pioneered in the first entry, Professor Layton and the Curious Village. If you didn't care for its slow, thoughtful pace and distinct charm then, it's very likely this new entry won't be your cup of tea either. But if you've ever enjoyed a Layton, puzzle or point-and-click game, Last Specter is a must-play. The gripping mystery alone - paired with all the fresh faces, new puzzles and the abundance of content - easily set it apart from and above its predecessors, even despite all the similarities.


And if you're looking for value, few other games have this much to offer. In addition to a lengthy and engaging main game, there are also a host of mini-games, as well as a 100 hour RPG - all completely optional and additional to the main adventure. The mini-games, each with their own puzzle spin, each have several levels or components that must be unlocked as you play through the main game, and they each bring their own unique challenge to the table.

The RPG has you creating your own Layton-esque character and taking it on an adventure through a delightful, sprite-based world full of tons of characters. You take on different jobs, collect tons of items and upgrade your character in a number of ways. It's actually pretty surprising this game was included as a mere bonus, because it alone has enough content to keep you busy for hours and hours. In other words, prepare to submerse yourself in the world of Layton for quite some time - and to love every minute of it.

• More 3DS & DS Reviews
• Latest 3DS & DS News, Reviews, and Videos