• Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Sep 12, 2010
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 62 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 57 Ratings

  • Summary: Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke, receive a confounding letter - from Luke 10 years in the future. But the message inside is even more troubling: London of the future is in disarray, and the only person
    who can help set things right is Professor Layton.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 62
  2. Negative: 0 out of 62
  1. Oct 29, 2010
    100
    While these lackluster mini-games are no hidden-object puzzle or "make your own tea" chemistry set (as seen in Laytons 1 and 2), Unwound Future still has a solid set of puzzles for its main adventure, and the story itself is very engaging.
  2. Oct 21, 2010
    100
    Professor Layton and the Lost Future takes the core functionality of the previous two outings, expands on it considerably, wraps up the storyline in the most gripping fashion possible and heaps plenty of extras on top for good measure. This is most definitely the superlative entry in the Layton series so far.
  3. Oct 21, 2010
    86
    The game's production values--from the artwork and voice acting, to the music and video sequences--are among the best in any handheld game to date.
  4. 70
    The graphics and atmosphere are well done and colorful on every screen, and while the characters are a bit too talkative, they are also funny and sufficiently silly. But the story and gameplay seem entirely detached as usual, and it's a shame that the story devs and puzzle devs apparently didn't have more meetings together.

See all 62 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Amazing Story, brilliant puzzles. This is indeed the greatest Layton game thus far, the music is amazing, the visuals are amazing (If you like the style), and the ending had me in tears. No questions asked, 10/10. Expand
  2. 10
    My favourite in the Layton series so far, and a relief after the disappointing Diabolical Box. The puzzles are of course good, as is the game design and visual style (as we've come to expect), but what makes this my favourite is the story. It may require a huge suspension of disbelief compared to the first game, but the ending is so striking and emotional. It more than makes up for minor story flaws. Expand
  3. 8
    Definitely the strongest of the three Layton games released in the US so far, Unwound Future successfully blends casual puzzle solving along with a compelling storyline. The formula hasn't changed an awful lot since the first title, though many subtle improvements to game mechanics and general presentation have been made. Cut scenes and audio files are clearer than ever, with added improvements to the second titles 'memo' function (such as the ability to change ink colour) being of great aid during those more trickier of brain teasers. The pace of the game may be a little too slow for some, though it's not difficult to become captivated by Layton's gorgeous looking surroundings and intrigued by some of the more perplexing mysteries that pop up during the final half of the adventure. Voice acting, be it fitting, can seem incredibly cheesy and at some points fails to aid the experience as it irritates more than captivates.

    Hint Coins have almost tripled in numbers since the first title, with the new optional 'Super Hint' function allowing far more users to solve even the most complicated of math puzzles without feeling like you've cheated.

    If you enjoyed the first two Layton outings- I cannot recommended this third game enough, as it's certainly the best of the three. Puzzles remain fun and do not detract from the experience as much as they did with Curious Village, with most being optional if players wish to favour the narrative and push on with it instead.
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  4. Most of the 5 points I've awarded this title are for the story, which is lovely, as in previous Layton games. Unfortunately the gameplay lets it down - many of the puzzles are rehashes of those from the previous games, and some really clutch at straws - some really convoluted questions and solutions.

    The graphics have improved from the previous title, and there are a lot more animated sections that add exposition to the tale. Layton himself shows a different side throughout the story, fleshing out the character beyond his desperate need to be a gentleman.

    Side missions this time around include the completion of 3 sticker books, where you need to place the correct stickers on the correct pages to tell the story; a radio controlled car game where you have a limited number of direction-changing arrows to guide the car to the end; and a parrot delivery game in which you draw perches to guide you parrot to it's goal. You get to name the parrot when you meet him - the potential for hilarity is great ;)

    These side missions add a lot of time and value to the game, and provide some of the most difficult puzzles on the cart.

    Fans of the series will surely enjoy this, but the challenge is slight compared to the previous two titles.
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See all 16 User Reviews