Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

Professor Layton's Return: A New Steam-Powered Adventure Thanks to Nintendo!

The renowned Professor Layton is back, ready to solve new mysteries, and we have Nintendo to thank! A new adventure is on the horizon, and the details are fascinating. LEVEL-5's CEO shed light on the long-awaited sequel's development at Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024.

A Decade Later: The Sequel's Genesis

After a nearly ten-year break, Professor Layton's return is a welcome surprise. Speaking with Yuji Horii (creator of the Dragon Quest series) at TGS 2024, LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino revealed that while the team considered Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy a satisfying conclusion, "Company ‘N’" (clearly Nintendo) played a key role in reviving the series. Hino stated that the strong encouragement from Nintendo prompted the development of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

Nintendo's Influence: A Legacy of Success

This intervention makes perfect sense, considering the strong partnership between Nintendo and LEVEL-5. The Professor Layton series flourished on the Nintendo DS and 3DS, and Nintendo's publishing support and recognition of the series' importance were crucial. Hino emphasized that the positive feedback led them to believe a new game, leveraging the capabilities of modern consoles, would delight fans.

A New World Awaits: Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, the new game reunites Professor Layton and Luke Triton in Steam Bison, a vibrant American city filled with steam-powered marvels. They'll face a captivating mystery involving Gunman King Joe, a legendary gunslinger.

The game promises the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by the collaboration with QuizKnock, experts in innovative brain teasers. This partnership aims to address the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which deviated from the core series formula. Learn more about the gameplay and storyline in our related article!