The Professor Layton series for the longest time, have always instilled a feeling of joy and fulfillment, especially after cracking a big case. Other detective games don’t really compare to the series in any significant way because unlike other titles, the Layton series incorporates challenging puzzles that really go above and beyond to stimulate you. A lot of the time, most puzzles don’t necessarily tie into the actual case but they’re so incredibly satisfying that you can’t stop seeking out harder ones. With Professor Layton taking his well deserved break from the detective world, he passes his torch onto his daughter Katrielle, a young and passionate rookie that intends to solidify her name as a skilled detective under the Layton bloodline.

As you’d expect from any Layton title, LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition throws in all of the nuts and bolts that helped to make the series so iconic, along with brand new puzzles that you’ll only find in the deluxe edition. The original, which released back on the 3DS, was a breath of fresh air for the series and now with 40 brand new puzzles added to the already diverse selection, the Nintendo Switch version is the best iteration to date. If you’re a fan of solving mysteries and being tested along the way with superbly designed puzzles and a wonderful cast of colorful characters, then don’t sleep on LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition.

The Layton series has always focused on being very unique in terms of its art direction, and that’s reflected very much the same way in LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition. The Switch version takes everything from its 3DS counterpart and revamps the visuals for a more crisper and vivid HD feel, giving both the locations and character designs a very distinct look. All of the locations are designed with that Level 5 aesthetic, while throwing in some fresh elements such as scene transitioning, without deviating away from the Layton recipe we all enjoy. Anyone who has dabbled with any of Level 5’s titles will likely know what we mean.

While not every Layton title in its timeline is perfect, one thing is for certain, and it’s that it always seems to nail the area of audio. Voice acting for characters is expertly done, helping to breathe life into characters and giving them personality. On the surface, Katrielle looks like your typical jovial and free spirited girl, but her voice actress really brings out the more mature, calculated, and sophisticated side of her as well. The same can be said for the other characters you encounter throughout the game, as every voice really helps to create that feeling of authenticity and helps to create a resonance as you get to know them.

Getting to know people in this game is integral to solving cases because a lot of hints are often thrown at you in plain sight, and a lot of sound cues really aid in providing you with clues to help speed up the process. The Layton series has really mastered its craft and hasn’t deviated away too much from the overall audio design, which is a big plus. It clearly knows where it shines and doesn’t take too many unnecessary risks to be different, but just enough added spices sprinkled here and there to ensure the Layton flavor remains fresh.

LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition adds in 40 new puzzles, all of which are scattered all throughout the game and so it’s up to you to seek them out. As per Layton tradition, your goal is to scour the scene for any clues and come up with tactful decisions as to who the culprit is, or what piece of the puzzle is missing in a specific incident. Along the way you’ll likely scrub the scene down only to encounter hidden puzzles, many of which are incredibly challenging once you hit the 50+ Picarats range. Of course these puzzles fluctuate in their level of difficulty, and help to add zest to the puzzle experience. It’s because of that diversity in puzzles that you encounter throughout the game that really help to bolster the gameplay in a very big way.

Never do you feel bogged down or bored when playing through the story because every case introduces something intriguing, and the puzzles keep you constantly stimulated. There’s no other game out there that we’ve played that we literally have our pen and notebook out jotting down any hints or methods to solving tough puzzles, or simply trying to piece everything together. The Layton series is one of the very few titles where you actually feel like you’re a detective and you’re encouraged to take notes as you play. While the game does lend you a hand at times via its hints, trying to solve problems without the hint coins really adds more long term value to the gameplay experience since you’re not relying too heavily on external help. It’s a nice incentive to have, of course but the feeling of solving a 50 Picarat puzzle by yourself, even if it takes you 20 minutes, is truly gratifying.

LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition really delivers on its promises to keep the Layton legacy alive, by adding in fun and thought provoking new puzzles, along with costumes to dress Katrielle up in your own way. The series maintains its consistency of creating a very entertaining experience without alienating its fans, while introducing new features to attract fresh pairs of eyes. While the game could certainly use some more interesting elements like creating a more open world for players to actually walk around in to scour for clues, especially now that it’s on a more sophisticated platform, we understand that the tried and true methods of the series are the mainstay and is what gives credence to the series as a whole.

In the end, LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition is an extremely rewarding title that delivers on its promise to immerse players with its wonderful storytelling, relatable characters, well crafted humor, and most importantly it’s crafty puzzles that’s great brain food that compliments the gameplay as a whole. Be sure to follow us on social media to stay updated on all the latest news pertaining to gaming, and leave us a comment in the comments section below! Let us know what you think!

Until next time!