Welcome to the continuation of Gaming As A Noob (GAAN). I like playing video games but I’m slow (ask J how long it took me to actually beat TWEWY), I didn’t grow up playing video games and I will take almost forever to beat the level you thought was the easiest to beat. Regardless, I love playing through games for the artwork, music, and, most of all, storyline. I will play non-story games but it’s the ones that tell tales that draw me in the most. Despite the busyness of the school semester, somehow I’ve found the time to play more games on my DS. Not the 3DS, mind you, but the DS Lite. I know, I’m behind the times. But who really matters when it comes to games :D? I love the Professor Layton series. That being said this is only the second game, so maybe my statement should be revised to “I love Professor Layton and Luke,” haha. There’s something about British people and tea and mysteries that go together. Then again, maybe I read too much Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. For those of you who don’t know, the Professor Layton series revolves around an archaeologist and his assistant as they solve mysteries via brainteasers and puzzles. Even if you haven’t played the game before, you’d probably recognize some of the more common brainteasers, such as appropriates of the tower of Hanoi and the knight’s tour. Below are a few examples of other types of brainteasers you might find in the game.

Compared to the first, the second game in the Professor Layton series is filled with a lot more minigames than the first. Besides a bunch of bonus puzzles waiting to be unlocked at the very end, you can exercise an overweight hamster to fabulous fitness, rebuild a camera and experiment with brewing tea. The minigames also integrate easily into the main game; people around town will have problems solvable through a nice hot cuppa and the hamster will find hint coins for you and the camera leads to more puzzles!

What I really enjoy about the Professor Layton series thus far is the way it transitions seamlessly between expository clips, riddles, exploration and back again. Professor Layton is the quintessential gentleman: a fencer, brewer of fine teas and mentor of Luke, his assistant. If I could communicate fangirling over him in a professional manner I would (read: *whooooo*). Rarely is the game ever frustrating: if you can’t figure the riddle out you’re usually able to move on. The story moves quickly enough and you can always come back to a puzzle even if you miss it in your investigations.

All in all, if you’re looking for an enjoyable time to tickle your noggin, give this a whirl and let me know what you think. Cheers (=