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 almost a decade, Professor Layton returns. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5 revealed insights into the decision-making process behind Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.
LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino, in conversation with Yuji Horii (creator of the Dragon Quest series), shared that while Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy felt like a fitting conclusion, Nintendo's influence proved crucial. Hino stated that a significant push from "Company ‘N’" (clearly referring to Nintendo) spurred the studio to revisit the steampunk world.
Hino explained that the series had concluded, but the strong encouragement from Nintendo shifted their perspective. The desire to deliver a high-quality experience on the latest consoles, fueled by Nintendo's support, led to the new game's development.
Nintendo's involvement is unsurprising, given their strong association with the franchise's success on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Nintendo published numerous Professor Layton titles and recognized the series as a key DS exclusive.
Hino emphasized the impact of industry feedback, stating that the desire to create a new game for fans to enjoy on a modern console was a key driver.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam: A New Mystery Unveiled
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 unraveling a mystery surrounding Gunman King Joe, a gunslinger from the past.
The game maintains the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by collaboration with QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle creation team. This partnership aims to address criticisms of Layton's Mystery Journey, which received mixed reviews due to its altered focus.
For a deeper dive into the gameplay and storyline, explore our related article.
