The Professor Laytons are fantastic. The puzzles don't really make sense in the context of the story, but you just have to accept that the people of the world Layton and Luke live in absolutely adore puzzles. Let me tell you, the puzzles they present are some real mind-benders. When I played the first one, I thought to myself that this was a game that could not possibly be meant for children. Or at least, not one of average intelligence and comprehensive skills. This series is really fitting to the DS as a "portable" game. The type which you can just pick up and put down on a whim, as a great way to stave off boredom while you're being forced to wait somewhere. Like crossword or a game of sudoku, except you have places to explore, interesting people to meet, and an overarching mystery to solve.
I highly,
highly recommend the first game, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, as a must-have in every DS collection. And the professor is just such a charming, posh gentleman that you can't help but root for...
[small]... As well as a swashbuckling badass, if I do say so myself...[/small]