Tokyo Game Show this past year was certainly one to remember. With the demise of e3, other expos now have the opportunity to fight for the next biggest gaming expo in the world, and Tokyo Game Show is definitely in the top 10 vying for that spot.
With over 279,000 attendees, countless big-name publishers including SquareEnix, BandaiNamco, and Sega, TGS is gaining momentum and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Among all those big names was one smaller developer that still found a way to shine throughout the huge Makuhari Messe Exhibition hall: Level 5 and their demo booth for Professor Layton and the World of Steam:
A New Setting
Diving into the game, the biggest surprise had to be its new setting: a steampunk version of the United States. It has the same Layton charm but with a fresh twist, blending those beloved steampunk elements with a backdrop that’s unmistakably American. With names like Eggmuffin Town and Gunman King Joe it’s clear to see that we’re no longer in the England that Layton is from, and I’m glad that Level-5 decided to switch it up a bit. How Professor Layton ends up across the pond is anyone’s guess, but that’s a mystery I can’t wait to unravel once the game launches.
Professor Layton and the World of Steam Gameplay Review
As always, Professor Layton and the World of Steam shines with its core gameplay elements—beautiful animations and voice acting that truly brings each character to life.
But this time, there’s a twist in the gameplay mechanics that caught my attention. They introduced a robot named Coindar, apparently a brainchild of Luke, meant to guide players through the game’s location search mechanism.
Honestly, this felt like an unnecessary complication in a system that was already straightforward—why fix what isn’t broken?
Puzzle Play—A Slight Stumble
Now, about the puzzles, a staple of the Layton series. The one featured in the demo was, frankly, a bit of a head-scratcher—not in a good way. It was confusingly worded, which made it tougher than necessary for a quick demo session.
It seemed like they missed the mark by not choosing a more welcoming, idiot-proof puzzle that lets you dive deeper into the game instead of getting bogged down trying to decipher the rules. It wasn’t clear for example, if I could use a connection point more than once. Once you do one of these puzzles, it’ll never confuse you again, but I just had a bit of a brain fart with this one (please don’t judge me).
A Change in Movement Mechanics
Moving on to navigation, which turned out to be the clunkiest part of the experience.
I found myself struggling to figure out where and how to move, despite the on-screen buttons and a physical manual right there in front of me to read. The switch from predominantly touch controls in previous games on the 3DS and DS to using the D-pad for movement was a bit jarring, and it definitely steepened the learning curve. It’s not a huge problem, but just something to be aware of.
An Amazing Soundtrack, As Always
Composed by Level 5’s Tomohito Nishiura, the music is again a tier above the rest.
Light, warm tones that enhance the whimsical, adventurous feel of the game—a hallmark of Layton titles that continues to impress. The soundtrack shines especially during the puzzle sequences and of course, the cutscenes. I often found myself playing Layton games just to get to the next cutscene to advance the story, and it looks like Layton and the World of Steam will be no exception. I can’t wait to dive in and see what this Studio-Ghibli-level animated story has in store for us.
First Impressions Review Score: 8.5/10
It’s a bit strange to give a review score after just about 20 minutes of gameplay, so please take this with a grain of salt. Despite some hiccups in mechanics and puzzle clarity, Professor Layton and the World of Steam remains a title that both veteran fans and newcomers will find intriguing. The move to a steam-powered America is a refreshing twist, bringing a novel ambiance to the series while maintaining the intellectual allure that fans love.
The issues with movement and the unnecessary complexity of some new gameplay elements do temper the excitement somewhat.
However, the game’s animation, soundtrack, sound effects, and voice acting are still second-to-none.
The soundtrack complements the narrative beautifully, continuing Level 5’s tradition of excellence in the music department.
The art style, voice acting, and overall design ethos resonate strongly with the series’ roots, offering a comforting continuity in a new American setting – while still featuring the trademark characters Layton fans have come to know and love.
Would I recommend Professor Layton and the World of Steam? Absolutely!
If you’re a series enthusiast eager to explore every nook and cranny of Layton’s world, this game is a must-play and there may be a bit of a learning curve—not just in solving puzzles but in navigating the game itself.
Overall, I’d give Professor Layton and the World of Steam a solid 8.5 out of 10. It’s a commendable addition to the Layton series that pushes boundaries while honoring its legacy. The game promises more mysteries to uncover, more puzzles to solve, and countless hours of thoughtful entertainment. I’ve been waiting for a new Layton game for a long time and it looks like Level-5 will not disappoint and this game was well worth the wait.
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