Professor Layton’s Puzzle-Solving Adventures Isn’t Over Yet
-----------------------------------------------------------It’s All Thanks to ‘Company N’, said LEVEL-5 CEO
After a nearly decade-long hiatus, the beloved Professor Layton is set to return with a new adventure, and it's all thanks to a certain mustachioed gaming giant. During Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5, the studio behind the iconic puzzle-adventure series, unveiled the intriguing story behind the announcement of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.
In a captivating discussion with Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii at TGS 2024, LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino shared that the series was initially concluded with the prequel game Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy. However, the influential "Company ‘N’"—widely understood to be Nintendo—encouraged the studio to revisit the Steampunk world of Professor Layton.
"There hasn’t been [a new title] in almost 10 years. The series concluded briefly," Hino explained, according to AUTOMATON. "Certain individual(s) from the industry really wanted us to release a new game… we had a strong push coming from company ‘N’."
Given Nintendo's deep connection with the franchise, which thrived on the Nintendo DS and 3DS platforms, their role in the game's revival is no surprise. Nintendo not only published many of the Professor Layton titles but also regards the series as a standout exclusive on the DS.
"When I heard these opinions, I started to think it would be good to make a new game so that fans could enjoy the series at the level of quality provided by the latest console," Hino elaborated.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam Overview
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam is set one year after the events of Professor Layton and the Unwound Future. It reunites the titular professor and his loyal apprentice, Luke Triton, in Steam Bison, a bustling American city brimming with steam-powered technology. Together, they will embark on a new adventure to unravel a perplexing mystery involving the "ghost of a gunslinger lost to the relentless march of progress," known as Gunman King Joe.
The game continues the series’ tradition of mind-bending puzzles, now enhanced by the collaboration with QuizKnock, a team renowned for creating innovative brain teasers. Fans are particularly thrilled about this partnership, especially after the mixed reception of the previous game, Layton’s Mystery Journey, which focused on Layton’s daughter Katrielle.
For a deeper dive into the gameplay and story of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, check out our detailed article below!
