Professor Layton and the Unwound Future for Nintendo DS Reviews by Gamers

The third entry in the puzzle-solving Layton series is the most engaging, with more action, intrigue, and features than its predecessors. There are even, surprisingly, some original puzzles left, although there's a larger reliance on trick answers this time around. As for the mini-games, two are still frustrating and boring, but at least a programmable car sequence, in which you use a set of arrows to plot a path from point A to point B (while collecting a series of items) offers some twists.

Among the new stuff this time are "puzzle battles," which feel unfinished (and not different from regular puzzles), but which are appreciated because of the way they help to make a more integrated mesh between the story and the puzzles. Also new, obviously, is the story, which features Layton and Luke apparently being transported ten years into the future. It's gripping, and even a bit emotional, given that we get some flashbacks and corresponding insight into Layton (and his lost love, Clara). The cast feels more fleshed out, too, and it's nice that they're not just being trotted out for procedural sequels.

But really, the game plays as it always has: you click from screen to screen, looking for clues that will advance the story, often being forced to solve puzzles along the way. (In fact, this time there are occasional puzzle-checks that force you to solve X puzzles before continuing--ala Mario Galaxy's "star" system--though if this causes you grief, you're doing something wrong.) The puzzles keep you on your toes, and the narrative keeps you moving: for some, it will be a very addictive, unputdownable thirteen hours.