User Reviews

1. Review Date: 2009-11-24

   I just finished this game last night (the main story part not the extra bonus content). It took me just under 17 hours to complete it all. I solved all but 11 puzzles in the game (didn't find 10 of them and only skipped one because I gave up on trying to solve it). The one question I skipped was a peg solitaire puzzle and I spent probably a good 45 minutes on 3 different accounts trying to solve it. This was the only puzzle I couldn't solve. The story was interesting and kept you guessing where you were going next. It was neat how MOST of the puzzles fit the person who offered the puzzle to you or situation that you encountered the puzzle in.
   
   The game was challenging enough that it kept me thinking but not too challenging where I would get frustrated with the game. I'm not a huge video gamer. I mainly stick with these puzzle games and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
   
   I didn't play the first one yet (so you don't need to play it to understand this one...they explain the characters from the past game well enough). But I will be getting it soon. I will also continue to play this game and unlock the additional bonus stuff!
   
   User: Comeonbabe
   Rating:
   Summary: 17 hours of Fun!
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

2. Review Date: 2009-11-21

   The game is challenging and fun. The end is a problem though-it saves the data but makes you replay it anyway.
   
   User: Shari Lazarus
   Rating:
   Summary: diabolical box review
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

3. Review Date: 2009-11-19

   I tried for years to get my sister to give video games a try - she loved watching when I played. I gave her Link's Awakening on the old Game Boy to get her started. She got stuck and eventually gave up. I tried pressing other games on her, but the real time fighting elements were a bit intimidating for her. She always enjoyed helping with the puzzle elements of Zelda, so I figured puzzle games would be good - but she got bored with the lack of storyline, etc in most of those puzzle games. This is a fantastic mix of being a game of puzzles, but having enough story to motivate the player to go all the way to the "end". This is the first game with a plot my sister has finished, and I'm excited to finally see her having fun with games!
   
   Both of us were able to finish in less than a week and did not require any outside help from guides or websites. The great thing about this game is there are easy, medium, and hard versions of some of the puzzles, and you can apply what you learned in solving the easier version to solving the harder versions. There's a great sense of accomplishment there. Some of the "hints" in a few puzzles did not help at all, but since you can still move on in the game's story without solving everything, you can afford to leave a few and come back later.
   
   The biggest disappointment was the ending, a bit anti-climactic. It had me going "Was that all?" I say this as someone who's gone through hundreds of games/anime/manga plots. I would not necessarily feel like "watching" this story again. But the atmosphere and style of animation is charming, and it's great to go through at least once. I would definitely recommend this game as a way to ease people into the fun of playing video games.
   
   User: nowann
   Rating:
   Summary: Charming style; Great game to introduce new gamers
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

4. Review Date: 2009-11-16

   Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box The Game is really fun and challenging, I would highly recommend it. It kept my interest.
   
   User: Diane Fontcuberta
   Rating:
   Summary: :Professor Layton and tghe Diabolical Box
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

5. Review Date: 2009-11-16

   I'm a 49 year old mom and hardly a newbie when it comes to video games. This adventure is so engrossing and so varied that you're never bored. There are so many different puzzles, clever games to solve and an entire series of fascinating and unique mini games, that I was kept going for weeks and weeks. Often, I couldn't wait to get home to play. This is a must-have game and very entertaining!
   
   User: Ellen Hickey
   Rating:
   Summary: Hours and hours and NEVER boring
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

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Editorial Reviews

Follow-up game to 2008's runaway hit Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is a unique puzzle game for Nintendo DS and DSi that mixes an engrossing storyline and entertaining characters spread throughout a variety of environments, with addictive and varied stylus-driven puzzle play. Join the famous Professor Layton and his sidekick Luke as you take on more than 150 puzzles included with the game, and more available via download, as you challenge your senses and logic to eventually solve a puzzling mystery. Story When Professor Layton's mentor, Dr. Schrader, turns up dead with no clear answer as to why, it's up to the renowned puzzle-solver and his apprentice, Luke, to unravel the mystery. The only clue thus far is a train ticket for the Molentary Express. What could it mean, and who — or what — might have caused Dr. Schrader's death? In order to find out, Professor Layton and Luke will embark on an odyssey filled with challenging puzzles which may lead them to an object known as the Elysian Box, rumored to kill all who open it. Brainteasing fun with Professor Layton and Luke. View larger. Gameplay As with other games in the Professor Layton series, gameplay in Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is linked to a richly illustrated storyline, in-game environments and non-player characters (NPCs). Diabolical Box takes this further than the original game, with more locations to explore, significantly more animated cutscenes and the deeper level of voice talent employed. As players move through the game with an aim towards solving the overarching mystery they will encounter characters who can forward their progress if they return the favor in advance by solving a puzzle. These brainteasers cover everything from mazes and riddles, to logic and sliding puzzles and everything in-between. There are no time limits on puzzles and 'hint coins' found and earned throughout the game can be used to purchase up to three hints per puzzle. The game cartridge contains 150 puzzles, but it is not necessary to solve every puzzle in order to finish the game. Those who do though and yearn for even more can access additional puzzles via a DS and/or DSi Wi-Fi connection. These will be released weekly for the first 33 weeks after game launch. In addition to standard brainteasing puzzle play the game also features a series of mini-games that although do not affect the outcome of the game directly, can help with players' interactions with NPCs, and thus have an impact on progress through the game, as well as serve to vary gameplay. Key Game Features Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box features a riveting new mystery and more than 150 new brain teasers, riddles and logic puzzles to challenge and delight players. Beyond the puzzles found in the game cartridge, players with a broadband Internet connection who connect their Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection will get access to downloadable bonus puzzles. A new puzzle will be available each week for 33 weeks after the game launches. The game includes a significantly greater amount of voice work and animated cutscenes compared to the original game. New memo pad feature which allows players to work through puzzles more easily solved by sketching out possible scenarios. A variety of mini-games that although do not directly affect the outcome of the game, provide variety of gameplay, and can help with the Professor and Luke's relations with NPCs. No time limits on puzzles allows players to take their time before answering or using an in-game 'hint coin.' Additional Screenshots: More than 150 puzzles. View larger. An engrossing mystery. View larger. More game locations. View larger. Additional mini-games. View larger.

Product Details

1. No time limits on puzzles allows players to take their time before answering or using an in-game 'hint coin.'
2. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box features a riveting new mystery and more than 150 new brain teasers, riddles and logic puzzles to challenge and delight players.
3. Additional puzzles available via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection each week for 33 weeks after the game launches.
4. New memo pad feature which allows players to work through puzzles more easily solved by sketching out possible scenarios.
5. A variety of mini-games that although do not directly affect the outcome of the game, provide variety of gameplay and can help with the Professor and Luke's relations with NPCs.