Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

Professor Layton Returns: A New Adventure Fueled by Nintendo's Support

The iconic Professor Layton is back with a brand-new adventure, and Nintendo played a pivotal role in bringing him back. This article delves into the story behind the long-awaited sequel, "Professor Layton and the New World of Steam," as revealed by LEVEL-5's CEO.

A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends Thanks to Nintendo

After a near ten-year absence, Professor Layton's puzzle-solving adventures are resuming. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino shared insights into the game's development, crediting Nintendo ("Company ‘N’") for its crucial encouragement. While LEVEL-5 considered Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy a fitting conclusion, Nintendo's strong support convinced them to revisit the steampunk world.

Hino stated that "Certain individual(s) from the industry really wanted us to release a new game… we had a strong push coming from company ‘N’," highlighting Nintendo's significant influence. This support is unsurprising given Nintendo's close ties to the franchise, which flourished on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Nintendo not only published many Layton titles but also values the series as a key success of the DS.

Hino also explained that the positive reception to this idea led to the development of a new game that would meet the high standards of modern consoles.

A New Mystery in a Steampunk City

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, set one year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, brings back Professor Layton and his apprentice Luke Triton to Steam Bison, a vibrant American city powered by steam technology. Their new adventure involves a compelling mystery surrounding Gunman King Joe, a "ghost of a gunslinger," as teased in the game's trailer.

The game retains the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced through a collaboration with QuizKnock, renowned for their innovative brain teasers. This partnership is especially significant given the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which featured Layton's daughter Katrielle and deviated from the established formula.

For more details on the gameplay and storyline of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, please see our related article.