10 More Games With Satisfying Puzzles & Mysteries To Be Solved!
Professor Layton is a beloved puzzle-adventure game developed by the folks at Level-5. This series has players assisting a beloved individual named Professor Layton and his comrade Luke with multiple mysteries. Each game is littered with gripping plotlines, enjoyable brain teasers, and shocking revelations that will leave audiences satisfied.
If you’ve finished playing Professor Layton and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks.
Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link, so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in.
So without further ado, we present 10 games to check out if you’re looking for a game like Professor Layton.
Thimbleweed Park
Thimbleweed Park is a great point & click adventure game with great characters, puzzles, and storytelling. Like Professor Layton, this game places a strong emphasis on its puzzle-solving mechanics. In it, players will explore multiple eerie locations through the perspectives of five people who must uncover the truth behind this area’s multiple mysteries.
This game offers modes for casual and hardcore players to enjoy at their own pace. The developers behind Monkey Island and Manic Mansion are at the helm of this project and promise folks that it’s no mere walking simulator. It’s a title that will make you rethink your assumptions about each mystery its protagonists tackle in the most bizarre manner possible.
Like Professor Layton, Thimbleweed Park excels at creating a captivating narrative that’s enriched by its immersive gameplay mechanics. You’ll speak with numerous townsfolk and explore many weird terrains to search for clues. From abandoned circuses to burnt-out pillow factories, you’ll have a blast exploring this area’s spooky terrain.
If you’re okay with pixelated graphics, then I recommend giving this one a shot.
Jenny LeClue – Detectivu
Another point-and-click adventure title Professor Layton fans will enjoy is Jenny LeClue – Detectivu. It’s a detective-themed game that follows the adventures of a young detective named Jenny. Players must guide Jenny through a series of cases that require careful investigation and deduction.
Like Professor Layton, Jenny LeClue will keep players hooked from beginning to end. It features a wide range of puzzles players must solve to progress in the game. It also offers a variety of fun mini-games to avoid feeling repetitive and bland. These add an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, rewarding players for their analytical skills and providing a sense of satisfaction when they complete their challenges.
On top of having a mesmerizing cartoon-like 2D art style that brings Jenny and her hometown of Arthurton to life, you’re in for a mind-numbing treat with this one.
Ace Attorney (Series)
Ace Attorney and Professor Layton go hand in hand. They were both iconic puzzle-themed titles on the Nintendo DS and have managed to hold fans’ attention since their debut on that handheld device. This series has had different protagonists over the years, but none are as iconic as its trademark attorney Phoenix Wright. In it, players must help Phoenix investigate cases and put evildoers behind bars.
The lead-up to each case’s court trial is delightful. You’ll be tasked with exploring locales for physical and verbal evidence. During court trials, you’ll analyze your opposing party’s attorney, witnesses, and client for fallacies and other types of information. It all leads to some overly dramatic yet captivating reactions and revelations you don’t want to miss.
Considering Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright have crossed paths in the past, it’s a no-brainer why this series should be played next.
Puzzle Agent (Series)
Puzzle Agent is a quirky point-and-click adventure title with a unique art style and a slew of fascinating puzzles for players to solve. Like Professor Layton, this game’s puzzle-solving mechanics serve as its core gameplay element. These puzzles require folks to carefully strategize and use their brain power to overcome mind-numbing hurdles.
The narrative is bizarre and charming. It follows the weird Agent Nelson, an FBI puzzle investigator who solves bizarre mysteries in the town of Scoggins.
Together with its delightful puzzles, Puzzle Agent manages to craft a captivating narrative that will fully immerse viewers in its game’s universe. This game’s supporting cast is just as bonkers and colorful as Agent Tethers too. You’ll wind up finishing the game remembering most of the important figures he meets during his puzzle-solving endeavors.
However, one of Puzzle Agent’s defining aspects lies in its visual style. Telltale, the developers behind this project, combines hand-drawn illustrations with a monochromatic palette to give audiences a game that visually stands out.
Gorogoa
Gorogoa is a phenomenal puzzle game that’s creative, unforgettable, and fun to play. It features unique and innovative gameplay mechanics that help it stand out from traditional puzzle games.
Gorogoa takes a more abstract approach to puzzle-solving, unlike Professor Layton. Players navigate through beautifully hand-drawn panels and must manipulate them to solve their world’s puzzles. The puzzles are challenging and require players to think outside the box.
Like Professor Layton, Gorogoa delivers an immersive narrative that unfolds as you progress through the game. However, its narrative falls in line with visual storytelling techniques and forces players to piece together its events bit by bit.
If you’re okay with a puzzle game with overly difficult challenges to complete, then give Gorogoa a shot.
The Room (Series)
The Room is a fantastic point-and-click game with an immersive tale and fun puzzle-solving mechanics. In it, players explore intricately designed puzzle boxes, unraveling secrets and uncovering hidden objects to progress in the game. This will remind folks of the times when they were exploring various locations and solving cases with Luke and Layton.
Both games feature a variety of puzzles for players to solve. From logical puzzles to riddles and brainteasers, you’ll need to think outside the box if you hope to complete the challenges both games deliver. As you progress through The Room, the puzzles get more challenging, keeping viewers engaged.
On top of having its puzzles seamlessly woven into its story like Professor Layton, The Room is a fantastic series that will keep players returning for more.
Detective Pikachu
Detective Pikachu is a quirky and enjoyable Pokémon spin-off title. Like Professor Layton, the gameplay focuses on puzzle-solving, unraveling mysteries, and engaging storytelling. In it, players join forces with a talking Pikachu who happens to be a skilled detective, solving cases and gathering evidence to uncover the truth.
Detective Pikachu and Professor Layton feature a range of challenging puzzles that’ll push players to think critically. Where Detective Pikachu has players encounter environmental puzzles, riddles, and brainteasers, Layton features brainteasers, math puzzles, and visual puzzles that’ll stump viewers occasionally.
Although Detective Pikachu’s visuals can look jarring to a degree, you’ll find its gameplay and storytelling satisfying, making it a must-play for anyone who loves thought-provoking games.
Zero Escape (Series)
Zero Escape, developed by Chunsoft, shares many aspects with Professor Layton. In it, players find themselves trapped in dangerous situations and must solve complex tasks that’ll impact the plot’s outcome. Its puzzle-solving elements will remind folks of the Professor Layton series since they both involve players exploring locales and encountering mental obstacles.
That said, Professor Layton fans will enjoy Zero Escape’s mind-bending scenarios and moral dilemmas. The game also has multiple branching paths that’ll entice players to replay it several times to discover what other outcomes await them.
In addition to tackling introspective concepts regarding identity, morality, and reality, Zero Escape is a great visual novel series that’s worth playing.
Rhythm Thief and The Emperor’s Treasure
Sega’s known for creating a wide variety of great IPs. From the fabulous Yakuza series to their iconic mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog, it’s no wonder fans can’t wait to see what the company works on next.
Although it’s not as popular as the other titles mentioned, Rhythm Thief and The Emperor’s Treasure is a fabulous game with enough puzzle-solving mechanics to entertain Professor Layton fans. In it, players assume the role of Raphael, a young thief and rhythm expert, who solves puzzles and engages in rhythm-based challenges to unravel the mysteries surrounding his father’s disappearance.
Both games contain immersive narratives with compelling twists and turns. They blend mystery, adventure, and humor to create stories that resonate with their audience once they’ve completed them.
If you’re okay with a game that adds a rhythmic spin to some of its puzzles, then check this gem out.
Return of Obra Dinn
Return of Obra Dinn is a great game with glorious graphics, mind-numbing storytelling, and fantastic puzzle-solving gameplay. In it, players take on the role of an insurance investigator tasked with unraveling the fate of the crew members aboard a desolate ship. You must use deductive reasoning and visual analysis to locate the cause of the ship’s crew’s demise.
The game presents players with challenging, non-linear puzzles, where solving one mystery leads to unlocking new clues and insights. This aspect parallels the mechanics found in Professor Layton, where you’re greeted with many teasers, riddles, and puzzles. Both games encourage critical thinking and reward players for having excellent observation and mental skills.
Professor Layton fans who enjoy unraveling perplexing stories and engaging in intricate puzzles will likely enjoy their time with Return of Obra Dinn.
So there we have it, our 10 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Professor Layton.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!