Alot of game in a small package!
This little game has a simple layout, deceivingly simple. Once you begin to be challenged to solve the puzzles, over 100 of them, you find out this is no kid's game. The puzzles are varied and interesting. Some very challenging, some just requiring that you think "outside the box". All were great fun. I spent over 14 hours with this game to get to the end. Even then, there is an abundance of bonus material to play with. And better yet, many of the puzzles can be enjoyed again and again. Another thing I liked about game is that there is no time pressure, I hate games that are timed, I don't like to be so commited to a game that I can't stop to grab a phone call or talk to someone who walks by. I hope they bring out a sequal.

Short, fun, and challenging puzzles
This is a great game for fans of logic puzzles of any kind (if you're not into that sort of thing, don't bother with this game). There is a good balance of puzzle-solving and the underlying mystery story and it's paced so that you don't have too much of either one without the other. It is rather ludicrous when people keep asking you to help them solve puzzles but you'll get used to it. Overall, this has been a fun and challenging activity that I play on my daily commute and even at home. I'm even starting to think outside the box more in other situations. If you like critical thinking, it's a must have.

Great game, but too short and no replay value
Being located in the UK, I bought this game when it came out but had to wait until a friend of mine was visiting me to be able to actually receive it. So I got it last week.

It's a really great concept and the animated sections are fantastic - they look like anime - but it was too short and seems to abruptly speed up and then end. The gameplay at first is very slow and it feels like it will be a really long (but highly enjoyable game). At one point I was estimating that there might be 300 puzzles overall in the game, based on how many I had done so far and how far I had gotten in the main game objective. But suddenly nearly all of the ten Mysteries were marked "Solved" and I realised I was nearly at the end! There are a total of 100 storyline puzzles, 20 additional "hidden" puzzles, and 15 puzzles for completing special objectives (5 categories with 3 puzzles each). I have done all of the storyline puzzles, 18 of the 20 hidden puzzles (can't find the other two), and unlocked 3 of the special objective categories and completed the 9 puzzles there...all in less than 9 hours of gameplay. If I'd known it would be that short I'd have probably waited until the price dropped. I'm hoping that the sequel will be much longer.

I'm not that interested in replaying it, as I've already done all the puzzles and they wouldn't be challenging. I'd be very pleasantly surprised if the puzzles were different the second time around but I really doubt that they'd do that.

Fun for puzzle lovers
I really enjoyed playing the game and solving the puzzles along the way. My eight year old daughter started a game of her own, but needs a little help with a lot of the puzzles. I only wish there were several sets of puzzles, allowing a player to work their way through more than one round without repetition.

A Brilliant, Solid and Endearing Puzzler
Professor Layton and the Curious Village is one of those gems that seems to surface only on the DS--a unique breed of adventure game and brainteasing puzzler. You guide the titular character and his sidekick Luke as they enter the town of St. Mystere in search of the Golden Apple. What unfolds then is a unique mini-mystery tied together by a train of logic, math and perception puzzles, all manipulated by the stylus.

The art style is clean and endearing, with excellently animated FMV cutscenes propelling things along and crisp writing keeping you interested and upbeat. The music is slightly repetitive, but suitable, as it combines an overall unique French-style ambience while you futz over the latest puzzle.

The meat of the gamplay--the puzzles--is where things truly shine. Never really entering the realm of impossible, these are some of the most unique and clever challenges I've come across in a long while. You'll furrow your brow, working your mind like a Sherlock of sorts, and feel the delightful "Ah HAH!" moment when the answer suddenly strikes--and considering the depth, variety, challenge and multitude of these puzzles, you'll have that moment quite often. Plus, with weekly downloadable puzzles, it'll keep you thinking long after the main story is over.

Overall, any puzzle-loving gamer with a DS owes it to themselves to pick up this marvel of a title. It's money well spent, and a cart that I'm finding a hard time removing from my system.