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Professor Layton and The Diabolical Box

EMAIL PRINT ds

9.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 65 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 12 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Level 5

Genre(s): Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: August 24, 2009

Summary

(Also known as "Professor Layton and Pandora's Box) Professor Layton needs your help! Get your wits working with over 150 puzzles, and help unravel the mystery of the Elysian Box. [Nintendo]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

1UP

Diabolical Box shows that the game's developers aren't content to just sit on their laurels -- they take a wonderful game, and make it even better.

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100

GameShark

Gameplay is the perfect mix of adventure staples and brain twisting puzzle devilry. Professor Layton's world is one you are happy to spend time in and hesitant to leave.

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NintendoWorldReport

A spectacular sequel. It retains the wonderful and challenging puzzles from the original while offering grander story. There's a wealth of content, with over 150 puzzles and three different mini-games.

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Wii Brasil

Anyone who likes puzzles and/or a good story should definitely buy Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box.

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GamingTrend

Of course, it bears repeating that people who are already into Professor Layton will still find a lot to love. It's everything the first game was and more, so those who enjoyed The Curious Village will have a great time with The Diabolical Box. Even if you didn't like the first game, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

A great sequel that fully lives up to the high standards set by the original adventure. [Oct 2009, p.71]

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GamingXP

There isn’t any better puzzle game out there. You have to buy it, if you want a great masterpiece.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

More puzzles will be introduced weekly online, so even if the relatively short game doesn’t have much replay value, there’s an incentive to keep picking it up for some brain exercise.

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Nintendo Life

Not only are there tons of new puzzles for fans to sink their brains into, but the brand new storyline is as enthralling as ever and will keep you glued to your DS until the very end.

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Meristation

Layton's latest adventure is his best for the time being. Same graphics, different sounds and a completely new storyline is very much what players are going to find in The Diabolical Box, a game that has nothing but fun to offer every player that have the guts to get over with more than a hundred puzzles and a compelling story. One of the best games of this year without any doubt at all.

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Vandal Online

Again, the Professor Layton series triumphs in the adventure and puzzle genre. Certainly the game will satisfy both casual players and genre fanatics.

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GameFocus

If there was ever an example needed to prove the point that games can not only be entertaining but educational at the same time, the Professor Layton series is without a doubt the best choice to show. There is certainly something for everyone with a fantastic story, a plenty of mystery and enough to really stimulate the brain.

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Cheat Code Central

Some might think this kind of game is only for fans of the point-and-click genre; however, there's a lot more to this series than that. The puzzles are very engaging and perfectly solvable, the story flows with ease and keeps you interested throughout, and the controls on the DS are very smooth.

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GameSpy

Far more interactive -- and, more importantly, far more entertaining -- than any puzzle book could ever be.

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Da Gameboyz

This title is an excellent, almost addictive, game that will take you easily 10+ hours to complete.

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GameDaily

Charming and addictive.

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Eurogamer Spain

It's not as fresh and original as the first one, but Pandora's Box has an awesome script, great puzzles and delicious hand-drawn graphics.

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Armchair Empire

The presentation and some spoken dialogue really do a lot to hold everything else together. Any puzzle/adventure games can be distilled into a collection of puzzles but the lines holding The Diabolical Box together make for a great challenge and an entertaining experience.

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RPG Fan

Level-5 changed just enough in Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box to keep the sequel fresh while maintaining the highlights of The Curious Village: excellent puzzles, beautiful art, appropriate music, a fun story, and a sense of whimsy.

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Adventure Gamers

Either way, for puzzle fans it’s a brilliant way to spend your time, and so long as you’re playing, that’s really all that matters.

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Thunderbolt

Professor Layton is back, and he’s never looked better.

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Cubed3

Professor Layton and Pandora's Box is clear evidence that Level-5's winning formula from the first game was indeed no fluke.

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Gameplayer Sweden

The professor's second adventure is just as good as the first one. Level-5 has managed to maintain a high standard of puzzles as well as a superb storyline with memorable characters and great dialogue.

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InsideGamer.nl

There is put a lot of afford in Professor Layton and Pandora’s box. The cutscenes are beautiful, the story is nifty and the puzzles are challenging. The game does look a lot like its predecessor, almost every type of puzzle we’ve seen in the first game, is also in Pandora’s box. This game is just bigger, better and more badass.

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9Lives

There's no doubt that Professor Layton supplies what puzzlers need. With over 150 puzzles - some of which are real brain breakers - you'll have plenty to do. Those that hang in there, will get a pleasant surprise. All this is accompanied by a enticing storyline, one that is delivered wonderfully with all the cut scenes and the numerous conversations.

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Nintendojo

Perhaps the strongest and most-heard criticism that can be leveled at Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is that it's more of the same, and indeed, it is. Yet there's a slightly grander sense of scale in everything-- the settings, story, puzzles, minigames, graphics and soundtrack all feel amped up just a notch.

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Games Master UK

Great puzzles. Great mystery. Great top hat. Not so great accordion. Another Layton essential. [Nov 2009, p.84]

Multiplayer.it

After one year, Layton is still a great experience: puzzles are challenging as they were supposed to be and the story is very well written, with charming characters and locations. One of the best "more of the same" of the year.

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NGamer UK

If you can crack our ultra-difficult score riddle, this is definitely a game for you. [Nov 2009, p.61]

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GameTrailers

Layton fans can look forward to solving an intriguing mystery with loads of new puzzles included. Diabolical Box doesn’t depart greatly from its predecessor, but subtle refinements ensure that more players will see it through to the end.

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3DJuegos

Professor Layton's second adventure offers more puzzles to solve, areas to explore, and a thrilling mystery to unravel. An extremely enjoyable game.

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GameZone

With a fantastic story and numerous puzzles to keep you thinking, this DS game will keep you and your Stylus very busy and you will love it for that reason. Even if you missed the first game, picking this one up is a no-brainer.

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My Gamer

Even though the puzzles can be challenging, the game’s addictive nature and sense of satisfaction is rarely seen at this level on the DS.

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Gamervision

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is certainly more of the same, but I don't think anyone is going to complain.

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PALGN

Professor Layton and Pandora's Box is a challenging, charming and unmissable adventure.

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SpazioGames

Professor Layton Pandora’s Box shows an obsessive attention to detail. The ability to take notes during the puzzles and the unusual plot make it very enjoyable. Maybe the settings, that are not confined to the train, of this chapter does not compare with the village of St. Mystere seen in the previous episode, but overall we can be more than satisfied.

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GameSpot

Professor Layton's second adventure offers more clever puzzles to solve, more varied and interesting areas to explore, and another thrilling mystery to unravel.

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IGN

I had a better time playing this sequel than the original game. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is an extremely enjoyable, laid back DS experience with some pretty challenging and clever puzzles to experience.

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IGN UK

Another excellent entry in Nintendo’s burgeoning hybrid franchise, effortlessly straddling the demographic divide thanks to its beguiling mix of approachable puzzles, gentle adventure and triple-A production values.

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Game Informer

I enjoyed the storytelling in Diabolical Box, as well as the new characters like Sammy, the rock ‘n roll train conductor. But some of the big reveals are particularly groan worthy, and two story clichés are unfortunately repeated in this sequel that I hope aren’t carried over to the third entry.

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GamesNation

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is a game suited for everyone. With more than 150 among riddles and conundrums, it places you into a nicely drawn world full of extraordinary characters, with an involving story worth unraveling one puzzle at a time.

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Level7.nu

I thought that I would be tired of Layton after the first game but Pandoras Box proves me wrong. It isn’t only the problem solving that stands in focus but the mixture of puzzles, storytelling and characters that makes this a charming adventure. The game is a must for people who like puzzle games and a given for fans of the original. Just don’t except too much of a change.

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Everyeye.it

The same old formula works well, even if the plot and the setting are not catchy as the Curious Village's ones.

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Eurogamer Italy

Quotation forthcoming.

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Gamer.nl

A mysterious story and original puzzles come together to create an intelligent game for everyone. The game is perfect for all ages and Nintendo has even translated the dialogue to our own language. The only thing missing are some more challenging puzzles and more surprises in the story.

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Mysterious story brings players a new batch of brain-melting puzzles and enigmas. Not much improvement to the previous game but still more then worth playing. [Nov 2009]

Eurogamer Portugal

The sense of achievement when you solve certain puzzles is extremely rewarding.

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NTSC-uk

Diabolical Box is proof that the success of Mysterious Village was not a fluke, and that the DS is the perfect platform to render such an adventure.

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Gamer 2.0

If you were expecting this second entry in the Layton series to go through extraordinary leaps and bounds, which you really should have no business expecting, then you will be horribly disappointed. But if you were expecting another session of tough puzzles with a convincing story, then Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is every bit as good as The Curious Village and should be more than enough to satisfy your inner detective.

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Wired

While Diabolical Box’s gameplay, animation and plot are quite a bit like its predecessor’s, slight improvements make this installment of the Professor Layton saga even more enjoyable than the last.

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AtomicGamer

With its clever combination of stories and brainteasers, The Diabolical Box has every indication of being merely the second in a potentially endless series of entertaining Professor Layton titles.

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Eurogamer

Professor Layton and Pandora's Box is superbly charming (aside from its creepy moments), and Layton's constant reprimanding of Luke for not being gentlemanly enough is hilarious.

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Giant Bomb

The real success of the Professor Layton series is the way its puzzle-solving and crime-solving aspects support and blend with one another.

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Nintendo Power

A great game that's well worth your time. [Oct 2009, p.89]

N-Europe

Pandora’s Box is a highly successful result of what was certainly not an easy sequel to make.

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Teletext GameCentral

Gaming's politest protagonist returns with another generously stocked portable puzzle compendium.

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RealGamer

Pandora’s Box feels like Layton V1.2 if I’m honest, as there is so little different from the previous game, but there’s nothing wrong with that, as the game and puzzles are still such high quality.

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VideoGamer

If you liked Mysterious Village and need more, or if you just want something genuinely fresh and original for your DS, Pandora's Box is the answer you're looking for.

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GamerNode

A solid mix of story and puzzles make this a perfect game to enjoy in both small chunks and marathon "just-one-more-puzzle" sessions.

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Gamer Limit

Professor Layton And The Diabolical will certaintly please fans of the original, as well as newcomers seeking a solid puzzle solving experience.

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Game Revolution

A predictable and challenging sequel. It has a nonchalant appeal that can capture anyone’s heart. And good news, as far as the sequel... wait, solve this puzzle first.

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GamePro

Overall this is a great puzzle game with both an entertaining story and mind-bending puzzles. The numerous locations are both a burden on the art style and a blessing for the expanded scope of the game.

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Telegraph

It still has more charm and character than most and –despite the hiccups- provides a challenging, fun and satisfying puzzle experience for players young, old -and everything in between.

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Edge Magazine

No other game catches the exhilaration of mental exercises, while doing just enough to smooth over their occasional frustrations, in quite the same way as Layton. [Nov 2009, p.104]

games(TM)

Professor Layton certainly has soul, but the puzzles themselves just aren't imaginative enough to save the adventure from feeling frequently out of breath. [Nov 2009, p.123]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

[ANONYMOUS] gave it a10:
I was counting down the days until this game came out and finished it under 10 hours when it did. Amazing gameplay, storyline, puzzles, soundtrack, everything! Level-5 definitely need to bring out more epic games. Should be apart of every DS player's collection.

Dan F gave it a10:
I'm honestly surprised this game didn't hit 90 on the Metacritic scale. I absolutely love this game. I can't put it down when I start playing. It is without a doubt the best DS game I have ever played.

Chris D gave it a10:
All Professor Layton and the Diabolical box had to do to satisfy fans was give more story and more puzzles and it succeeded. It took a great game and made modest improvements (more mini-games, a memo pad for your puzzle solving, more areas to explore instead of just one town) that make this one of the best series for the DS. The drawback for this series is replay value but between the weekly puzzle downloads and the unlockable content between titles help stave off the staleness from setting in.

rbee gave it a7:
A mid-game review, as I am currently about 90 puzzles into the 150 promised. By saying I intend to finish the game I don't mean to say that it's fantastic or gripping -- I played the Japanese version in fact, about a year ago, up to about the same point and remember being both disappointed and excited about my ability to "figure out" puzzles without quite understanding them. It turns out there was not much to get. Layton 2 provides puzzles that can be guessed through with minimum effort without slowing down gameplay. Of the 90 puzzles I've solved, less than 10 of them have been story-related. It's a charming little game, but no Curious Village. The best blurb on Metacritic comes from GameTrailers, in that "subtle refinements" to this sequel have made it easier for less dedicated players to finish it. I don't wish the game were harder, but I feel like I'm only killing time, not solving puzzles, and that's not what I wanted when I came back to this game for the English version.

Josh N gave it a10:
When I first played the original game, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, I found myself staring in awe at the amazing visuals a DS game can offer. So it's no surprise that I completed it as fast as I could and throughly enjoyed the adventure. The only problem I had with it was that it grew incredibally difficult near the end. I waited for ages for the new Layton to come out and once again, it fails to disapoint. I first noticed that his game has much more video anime than the first one which I thought was a good idea as I enjoyed watching the video's in the first one. Also the voice of the main parts of the text is also an amazing addition to the already amazing game. The puzzles have been eased down from genius to the fact that you now have some chance to complete the game, if you new to the series. The brilliance of the game lies in the remarkable story behind it all. I found the story gripping and suspense to say the least and I thorughly enjoyed it. I think this is a must buy for any Layton fan, as the next one hould be even more promising, and a must buy for any new fan to the series. In short, one of the best game ever made for DS and any other console!

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Professor Layton and The Diabolical Box

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Summary

Also On Metacritic

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