Topic: Level 5 appreciation thread

[shelverton.]

I don't know about you, but Level 5 is effin fantastic. I just started playing Dragon Quest VIII and it's excellent so far. Before that I played through DQIX, Rogue Galaxy, Dark Chronicle (Dark Cloud 2) and Jeanne D'Arc (PSP). These are probably my favourite RPGs of the last 10 years. DQIX not so much after playing the BEAST that is DQVIII, but it's still one the best on the DS.

Now, "Ni No Kuni: The Wrath of the White Witch" is coming to both the US and Europe early next year. Anyone excited? I feel like Level 5 can't make a bad game (though I've heard terrible things about White Knight Chronicles). It's hands down my most anticipated game of 2012.

Next I'm gonna try the Professor Layton series. Are these any good?

I love Level 5. They're the new... dunno... Clover Studios. Or Tri Ace, when Tri Ace was good.

Oh, and DQVIII, Dark Cloud 2 and Rogue Galaxy SCREAMS for a "Level 5 HD collection" on the PS3. These games would translate beautifully.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

LAAAAAYTON!
Professor Layton series is awesomesauce.

[shelverton.]

Which Layton should I start with? They seem rather similar. I think I'm going for Da Kurious Village first!

Also, I thought people would actually care about this topic, but no I hope Ni No Kuni sells reasonably well anyway, despite the lack of Level 5 luv shown here

[KaZudra]

Level 5?
every other Siliconera article is about those guys, and I like it.

every time I blink its like thier making a new game.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Well Shelverton, technically the latest game (the one that's coming out soon, I forget the name) takes place in the past, so you get to see how Professor Layton meets his assistant, Luke.  In terms of gameplay, they're all similar, but the first one is the toughest in that the gameplay is missing a lot of the features that make the later games better (you'd be surprised how often having the ability to write on the screen can help you with the puzzles).

Although each game has its own encapsulated story, there is cohesion throughout the games.  That means if you play 2 (PL & the Diabolical Box), you may spot things from PL & the Curious Village, and the same is true for PL & the Unwound Future.

I own all three and will most likely pick up the next one.

Also, I'm waiting for Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright for 3DS later on.

[shelverton.]

Alright, thanks! I'll start with the first game even if there were improvements made in the sequels. Though if I find another of the games really cheap, I might just dive in there and play the games in random order. I will definitely pick them all up eventually, cause I wanna support whatever Level 5 throws my way. I'm even thinking about buying Inazuma Eleven, the soccer/RPG/weirdness that, oddly enough, was released in my little corner of the world.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

You should be able to find all three Layton games, used, for fairly cheap.