SpaceCase Speaks

Did you do those invisible ink puzzles as a kid? Do you take online IQ tests for fun? Does the world "nurlo" mean anything to you? Do you just like logic puzzles?

Then have I got a game for you - Professor Layton and the Curious Village for the Nintendo DS.

The premise is simple - Professor Layton and his apprentice Luke arrive in St. Mystere at the request of the late Baron Reinhold's family. Apparently, the baron's will indicated that he had left behind a treasure - the Golden Apple - and the family needs the Professor's help (and puzzle-solving skills) to help find it.

Truly, though, the narrative is just a backdrop for over 120 fantastic logic puzzles, ranging from simple math and spatial puzzles to "simple" logic problems. Solving the puzzles does not really drive the plot, like other games (my beloved "Phoenix Wright" games, for instance). You don't learn new tidbits of info from each puzzle, per se. The fun is solving the puzzles themselves.

In fact, you could take out all of the characters entirely, and have a great collection of classic logic puzzles. But what makes this game so enjoyable are the colorful characters and the gorgeous animations. St. Mystere is a town you don't mind exploring looking for hidden puzzles, because there are just so many interesting people to meet and fabulous sights to see along the way.

Although I got completely sucked in and ended up playing this game for hours at a time (SO not like me!), it's also great for "now and then" playing. You can save often, so you can do just one or two puzzles at time, if you wanted. Also, if a puzzle has you stumped, you can leave it unsolved and come back to it later. Added bonus - you can download extra puzzles with a wi-fi connection.

I ended up playing this non-stop, so I'm almost through all of the puzzles in the game. I'm a little bummed, because this isn't a game you can replay with the same fun factor (once you have the "Eureka!" moment with many of these puzzles, the fun is over). But I understand that there's a sequel in the works, and you can bet I'll be on the lookout for it.

In the meantime, I'll be practicing the water pitcher challenges whenever I can. Those stump me every time!