POSTED 25/11/13


PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE AZRAN LEGACY

Nintendo
3DS

A long time ago in a stove pipe hat far, far away...

Think about it. Obi-Wan Kenobi is an English gentleman, who takes a kid named Luke under his wing to teach him worldly stuff. Professor Hershel Layton is an English gentleman, who takes a kid named Luke under his wing to teach him worldly stuff.

OK, so that could be coincidental. But there’ve also been six Star Wars films. The first three were actually the fourth, fifth and sixth, while the fourth, fifth and sixth were the first, second and third. With the release of PLatAL there’ve been six Layton games. The first three were actually the fourth, fifth and sixth, while the fourth, fifth and sixth were the first, second and third.

This, of course, leads to a singularly conclusive conclusion – the Prof’s a Jedi!

Still his weapon isn’t some shabby lightsaber, it’s his brainy-brainy-brain. Oh, and unlike Star Wars all six of his puzzle-bulgy adventures have been undeniably ace. Unless you do deny, in which case we’ll have to agree to differ. Cup of Earl Grey?

Actually, while old Hershel may take the credit, it’s actually your brainy-brainy-brain that lets him progress, as always by solving a vast variety of mind-bending puzzles via stylus stabbiness. From obvious to painfully obtuse, there’re 500-plus here. If you’re brain isn’t numb by the end then, umm, click here.

Story-wise, this third prequel sees the Prof, Luke and Princess Lei- erm, Emmy, unravelling the mystery of a living mummy, aka some ancient chick who’s been stuck in an ice block for an awfully long time. This involves world-tripping, and lots less linearity than previous outings.

As beautifully-produced as ever – the Ghibli-esque visuals delightful - PLatAL won’t convert anybody previously unconverted. But it gives fans a rollicking send-off for the gentlemanly Professor, who’s truly a Force to be reckoned with.

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