Professor Layton's Return: A New Adventure Fueled by Nintendo
The renowned Professor Layton is back with a brand-new adventure, and Nintendo played a pivotal role in making it happen. This article delves into LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino's comments regarding the long-awaited sequel's development.
A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends Thanks to Nintendo
After a nearly ten-year absence, Professor Layton is returning, largely due to the influence of Nintendo. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5 revealed details about the decision-making process that led to Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.
LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino, in conversation with Yuji Horii (creator of the Dragon Quest series), stated that while they considered Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy a fitting conclusion to the series, Nintendo ("Company ‘N’") strongly encouraged a return to the steampunk world. Hino explained that the push from Nintendo was significant in reviving the series.
Nintendo's involvement is unsurprising, given their close ties to the franchise's success on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Nintendo published many Professor Layton games and recognizes the series as a key exclusive title for those platforms. Hino himself stated that Nintendo's support was a factor in deciding to create a new game that would meet the quality standards of modern consoles.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam: A New Mystery
Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam reunites Professor Layton and Luke Triton in Steam Bison, a vibrant American city powered by steam technology. Their new adventure involves a compelling mystery surrounding Gunman King Joe, a gunslinger from the past.
The game maintains the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by the collaboration with QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle creation team. This partnership is particularly exciting for fans, following the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which featured Layton's daughter.
For more details on gameplay and story, please refer to our related article.
