 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Professor Layton and the Last Specter
- Nintendo DS
- Price: $29.99
- Genre: Puzzle
Common Sense Media says
Captivating puzzle game makes doing brainteasers a blast.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Professor Layton and the Last Specter is a prequel to the other titles in the popular Professor Layton series. This game focuses on character development and helps reveal the backstories of the professor and his companions. In this installment, Professor Layton meets his new assistant Emmy and the child Luke (who becomes his apprentice in the other games), and together they try to figure out the mystery behind a ghostly figure that haunts a small town. In the process of telling the story, there are some scenes of violence, a few references to alcohol, and a smidgeon of sexual innuendo -- though the game's focus is on the puzzles and riddles that players must solve in order to continue.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn critical thinking and puzzle-solving skills by adventuring with Professor Layton. A fascinating story line propels kids through a mystery, which unfolds piece by piece as players solve a wide variety of brainteasers. Puzzles range from basic math problems to complex spatial recognition activities to word problems. Most can be solved using logic, but a few require basic algebra and geometry. Stumped players can always access hints. Tackle a compelling mystery and fascinating puzzles in Professor Layton and the Last Specter.
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoninganalyzing evidence, collecting data, logic
What's it about?
Professor Layton and the Last Specter is a prequel to the other games in the much-heralded Professor Layton franchise. Players learn the back-stories of Professor Layton and his sidekick Luke, while also getting to know Emmy, a new character. Players join the three while they solve a mystery about a ghostly "specter" that haunts a village and threatens to destroy it. As players progress through the game, they must solve a continuous slate of puzzles that relate to the story. For example, after Professor Layton receives an unusual letter, players must solve a puzzle to figure out a hidden message in the letter. The puzzles test basic math skills as well as critical thinking, spatial and object recognition, and deep levels of logic and reasoning.
Is it any good?
Professor Layton and the Last Specter continues to live up to the outstanding reputation of the franchise, with an all-new round of captivating and truly unique puzzles and riddles. This latest entry continues to use the same addicting formula of puzzles that are instantly accessible but sometimes seemingly impossible to figure out. Just like its predecessors, players earn more points if they can solve the puzzle on their first try and without a hint, making the rush of submitting an answer for each puzzle as addicting as ever. The story is likewise brilliantly told and captures the imagination. This game is a must-have for puzzle aficionados and is sure to bring hours of fun and enjoyment to Professor Layton veterans as well as newcomers to the franchise.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how playing through a compelling story can make you want to tackle brain-stretching puzzles. Would you try to solve the puzzles if they weren't contained within a story?
What puzzles were easy to solve and which ones were more challenging for you? Did you like having hints available? Did you use them?
This is a game that takes a long time to play through. How do manage your time playing video games?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn critical thinking and puzzle-solving skills by adventuring with Professor Layton. A fascinating story line propels kids through a mystery, which unfolds piece by piece as players solve a wide variety of brainteasers. Puzzles range from basic math problems to complex spatial recognition activities to word problems. Most can be solved using logic, but a few require basic algebra and geometry. Stumped players can always access hints. Tackle a compelling mystery and fascinating puzzles in Professor Layton and the Last Specter.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading:
- Math: measurement, patterns, sequences
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, collecting data, logic
How kids will learn
Players lead Professor Layton around a town, stopping to talk to nearly everyone in hopes of gaining clues to the mysteries at hand. Townfolk are puzzle-loving souls; before they provide clues, you've got to solve brainteaser. Other times, the story itself presents a puzzle. For example, to uncover the hidden message inside a mysterious letter, they must decode it. Hints help players of different skill levels -- a great help to kids who are stuck.
How parents can help
- Challenge kids to use math and logic like in the game to solve real life puzzles. For instance, challenge them to figure out how long it takes to get to school based on the average speed of the car.
- Encourage players to recreate puzzles in the game on pencil and paper.
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
professor layton is a must buy game
Great game. this game is incredible, but I have to warn you there are some deaths (SPOILERS!!! they determine whether a man commits suicide, a girl is said to die in a year due to an illness). I honeslty think its alright for a three year old, but it would have to be a very smart and mature three year old. The puzzles can range from difficulty, but some of them you don't have to do. They also have 4 hints (the last one practically gives you the answer) so that should make it easier. Also, the last scene was very sad. (spoilers) In the last scene, the girls pet Loosha dies. I'm 13 and I was getting teary eyed. But this is a great game, and I reccomend it to anyone. (by the way, the storyline is INCREDIBLE. Professor layton games are always awesome)
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AGE
Excellent game for puzzle-lovers.
I would highly recommend this game to older kids and teens who enjoy solving puzzles. The game has just the right mix of puzzles and story advancement. The cutscenes are well done, and they feature voice acting. It is definitely worth the money to own. Parents should know that (spoiler alert!) there are several mentions of death in the game. Part of the mystery is about whether a character committed suicide by jumping off a cliff or not, a young girl is said to not have long to live due to an illness (no further details are given, and she is cured at the end of the game), and a beloved animal dies near the end. That said, content-wise, the game is most likely appropriate for someone around the age of nine. However, some of the puzzles are very challenging, so this game is probably better for an eleven- or twelve-year-old.
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AGE
Mr. Layton is the undesputed puzzle king of the decade.
The Professor Layton formula is pretty simple, take an interesting story and mix it with mind-boggling puzzles and you've got this game.
Layton's puzzles never disappoint in being both thought provoking and witty, and the game is just a fun, educational game to play. However, the puzzles are hard, and unless a parent wants to help their child, then this game should be played by kids who can handle being a bit frustrated at not being able to figure out a puzzle at first glance.
The series itself if pure perfection, and really deserves to be played my more people.
I highly recommend this game, and I honestly have no negative points about it right now.
*NOTE: Being a teenager, my sense of what some parents might find suitable for their child might differ from what said parents actually think. I didn't really pick up on anything bad, persay, but maybe it's just because my sense of "bad" things is just distorted at this point.
But seriously, buy this game. It's good.
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AGE
Appropriate but hard
Some of the puzzles in this game (as well as all other Professor Layton games) can be very difficult and sometimes a lot of reading is involved. Their is nothing offensive content wise, it's just that young children may have a hard time understanding the game.
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Puzzle |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | October 17, 2011 |
| Price: | $29.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Alcohol Reference, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence, Simulated Gambling |
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