Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

[Xeneth]

Since I am always behind when it comes to the playing of the video gams, I am JUST NOW getting around to this...

The above effect appears to be diminished somewhat from Mysterious Village, (even though they did explain

the villagers behavior as being programmed in as a series of tests

) and thus far I'm enjoying the story more as a result. I can really tell that Level 5 has made a greater effort to connect the puzzles to the story and environment this time around, and the result is even more endearing. So far the puzzles seem a bit too easy, but I'm only 20 or so in, and I have the experience from the first game under my belt, so my perspective might be a little off.

I also found the way they marketed the game to women more directly this time around interesting.

RAMPANT SPECULATION

I'm worried about a potential sequel on the 3DS... I really hope the technology doesn't gimmick it's way into the puzzles very much, thus watering them down. Think about what tilt and motion controls did to the WarioWare series for a while there if you need a couple of examples of how this can happen. Level 5 seems a bit more sensitive to what the audience wants though, so I could be worrying for nothing.

Thoughts?

[Quanta]

I also found the way they marketed the game to women more directly this time around interesting.

These commercials are as unconvincing as usual. They even went wrong with the color of the DS. Baby-blue? Everybody knows that girls prefer pink!

I can really tell that Level 5 has made a greater effort to connect the puzzles to the story and environment this time around, and the result is even more endearing.

It's good to read that they improved this aspect in the sequel. I may buy this game eventually, but haven't even finished the first game, yet.

[ThunderPeel2001]

Loved the first game, looking forward to playing the new one.

[Roderick]

I really missed the inventive puzzles of the first game in the second. It seemed so much less clever. Near the end of it, the bonus optional puzzles seemed especially lame. I finished every single puzzle in 1, but couldn't bother with 2 at all

Hopefully the third game will be a return to form.

[Xeneth]

Still only about 30-40 puzzles in, but thus far I totally agree that the challenges are a little more "direct logic" and a little less "perception brain fuckery". It's possible that, given those cheesy ads, they're trying to skew things a little more toward the "not exactly a towering intellect" demo... If so, I hope future games do a better job of catering to people of varying MENSA levels.

The hint coin system already acts like a fair buffer of sorts, and by placing the easier puzzles along the critical barrier path, I feel like a line between the two games could be walked fairly successfully. They've already added an option to back out of non-critical path puzzles if you feel totally unprepared for them, so I don't see the harm in deliberately making those the more frustrating ones.

Regardless, the flavor and charm are intact so I'll be compelled to continue solving away during train rides (META!!).

[Irishjohn]

I also found the way they marketed the game to women more directly this time around interesting.

I got the first game for my girlfriend just after Diabolical Box. She loves it. I guess they were on to something!

[twmac]

The toilet humour in me could not be contained by the 'Truly diabolical box' tag line for one of those videos.

I hope that was intentional.

[ThunderPeel2001]

I got the first game for my girlfriend just after Diabolical Box. She loves it. I guess they were on to something!

The first game was the er, first game that my ex ever completed. She loved it.

[SiN]

*bump*

Alright guys, I want in on this Layton business. Which one should I get?

Cheers,

Mo

[Roderick]

The Curious Village by a very long way!

[SiN]

A very belated thank you! Just bought Curious Village, Miles Edgeworth, and Civ 5 on Amazon, taking advantage of their 3 for the price of 2 offer.

(more info http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/amazon-buy-two-get-one-free-sale-running-through-november-6/)

Cheers,

Mo

[miffy495]

You're in Ontario, right? When I read about that 3 for 2 thing I immediately disregarded it assuming that it only applied to Americans. Can I get that to work?

[SiN]

I graduated last year and am working in Seattle now.

At some point I should reaaaally update my location.

[ThunderPeel2001]

So I finally completed this. I didn't find it quite as endearing as the previous game. The storyline wasn't as compelling and the ending wasn't as satisfying.

Hard to believe that an old guy could be anything but completely devastated by the fact that his true love ran off with their unborn child (which he knew nothing about) simply because she didn't think he'd leave a poisonous city he was heir of.

The main problem was the puzzles, though. They obviously tried to tie them into the environment and characters more, but by doing so it seems they limited them in scope. The puzzles in the game just weren't as much fun or interesting as they were in the first game.

Still, it was enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the third one.

[Irishjohn]

Sad to hear that. I didn't check your spoilers. I actually know the game best through watching my girlfriend play the original. I was looking forward to getting her the sequels.

[ThunderPeel2001]

Sad to hear that. I didn't check your spoilers. I actually know the game best through watching my girlfriend play the original. I was looking forward to getting her the sequels.

It's still worth playing. I guess I sounded overly negative, but it's not a bad game, especially if you enjoyed the original.