Professor Layton Returns: A New Steam-Powered Adventure Thanks to Nintendo!
Professor Layton is back! Get ready for a brand new adventure, courtesy of Nintendo. LEVEL-5's CEO reveals the surprising story behind the long-awaited sequel.
The Professor's Puzzle-Solving Continues
Nintendo's Encouragement Brings Layton Back
After a nearly decade-long absence, Professor Layton's return is official, and we have Nintendo to thank. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5, the game's developer, shared the inside story behind Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.
In a conversation with Yuji Horii (creator of the Dragon Quest series), LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino explained that while they considered Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy a satisfying conclusion, Nintendo ("Company ‘N’") strongly encouraged a new game.
According to AUTOMATON, Hino stated, "The series concluded briefly, almost 10 years ago. Individuals within the industry really wanted a new game...we had a strong push from Company ‘N’."
Nintendo's involvement is unsurprising, given their close ties to the franchise, which flourished on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Nintendo published many Layton titles and considers the series a key success for those platforms.
Hino added, "Hearing this, I thought it would be good to create a new game, one that fans could enjoy at the quality level of the latest consoles."
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam: A Closer Look
Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam reunites the professor and Luke Triton in Steam Bison, a vibrant American city powered by steam technology. Their new adventure involves a puzzling mystery and, as revealed in the trailer, the enigmatic Gunman King Joe – a gunslinger lost to time.
The game maintains the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle-creation team. This collaboration is particularly exciting for fans following the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which starred Katrielle Layton.
Learn more about the gameplay and story in our related article!
