Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

 DS
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 130 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 110 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 130
  3. Negative: 4 out of 130
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  1. ZeoN
    Nov 28, 2017
    10
    Una obra mestra dentro de la saga Layton.Recomendable para todos aquellos fans de ella.Puzzles dificiles y una historia simplemente increible alrededor de un pueblo perdido en la niebla.
  2. skads7
    Nov 8, 2019
    6
    Un salto cuantitativo con respecto al primero, una mejor historia, mejores personajes, puzles y canciones. Poco a poco va perfilando lo que debería ser un juego de Layton. Jugaría este antes que la Villa Misteriosa, porque total, para lo que se desarrolla "la historia" en el primer juego, mejor olvidarlo :)
  3. rbee
    Sep 7, 2009
    7
    A mid-game review, as I am currently about 90 puzzles into the 150 promised. By saying I intend to finish the game I don't mean to say that it's fantastic or gripping -- I played the Japanese version in fact, about a year ago, up to about the same point and remember being both disappointed and excited about my ability to "figure out" puzzles without quite understanding them. It A mid-game review, as I am currently about 90 puzzles into the 150 promised. By saying I intend to finish the game I don't mean to say that it's fantastic or gripping -- I played the Japanese version in fact, about a year ago, up to about the same point and remember being both disappointed and excited about my ability to "figure out" puzzles without quite understanding them. It turns out there was not much to get. Layton 2 provides puzzles that can be guessed through with minimum effort without slowing down gameplay. Of the 90 puzzles I've solved, less than 10 of them have been story-related. It's a charming little game, but no Curious Village. The best blurb on Metacritic comes from GameTrailers, in that "subtle refinements" to this sequel have made it easier for less dedicated players to finish it. I don't wish the game were harder, but I feel like I'm only killing time, not solving puzzles, and that's not what I wanted when I came back to this game for the English version.… Expand
  4. [ANONYMOUS]
    Oct 3, 2009
    10
    I was counting down the days until this game came out and finished it under 10 hours when it did. Amazing gameplay, storyline, puzzles, soundtrack, everything! Level-5 definitely need to bring out more epic games. Should be apart of every DS player's collection.
  5. JoshN
    Aug 29, 2009
    10
    When I first played the original game, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, I found myself staring in awe at the amazing visuals a DS game can offer. So it's no surprise that I completed it as fast as I could and throughly enjoyed the adventure. The only problem I had with it was that it grew incredibally difficult near the end. I waited for ages for the new Layton to come out When I first played the original game, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, I found myself staring in awe at the amazing visuals a DS game can offer. So it's no surprise that I completed it as fast as I could and throughly enjoyed the adventure. The only problem I had with it was that it grew incredibally difficult near the end. I waited for ages for the new Layton to come out and once again, it fails to disapoint. I first noticed that his game has much more video anime than the first one which I thought was a good idea as I enjoyed watching the video's in the first one. Also the voice of the main parts of the text is also an amazing addition to the already amazing game. The puzzles have been eased down from genius to the fact that you now have some chance to complete the game, if you new to the series. The brilliance of the game lies in the remarkable story behind it all. I found the story gripping and suspense to say the least and I thorughly enjoyed it. I think this is a must buy for any Layton fan, as the next one hould be even more promising, and a must buy for any new fan to the series. In short, one of the best game ever made for DS and any other console!… Expand
  6. ChrisD
    Sep 22, 2009
    10
    All Professor Layton and the Diabolical box had to do to satisfy fans was give more story and more puzzles and it succeeded. It took a great game and made modest improvements (more mini-games, a memo pad for your puzzle solving, more areas to explore instead of just one town) that make this one of the best series for the DS. The drawback for this series is replay value but between the All Professor Layton and the Diabolical box had to do to satisfy fans was give more story and more puzzles and it succeeded. It took a great game and made modest improvements (more mini-games, a memo pad for your puzzle solving, more areas to explore instead of just one town) that make this one of the best series for the DS. The drawback for this series is replay value but between the weekly puzzle downloads and the unlockable content between titles help stave off the staleness from setting in.… Expand
  7. DanF
    Sep 24, 2009
    10
    I'm honestly surprised this game didn't hit 90 on the Metacritic scale. I absolutely love this game. I can't put it down when I start playing. It is without a doubt the best DS game I have ever played.
  8. funkydoodycool
    Jun 7, 2015
    8
    An improvement over the already very good first game in the series. Pandora's Box has all the charm of the first, with a more interesting, less convoluted story. A very sweet ending too. The puzzles are largely more of the same thing, with different wordings but basically the same patterns as before, which is a shame but it is helped by leaving a little time between playing each game inAn improvement over the already very good first game in the series. Pandora's Box has all the charm of the first, with a more interesting, less convoluted story. A very sweet ending too. The puzzles are largely more of the same thing, with different wordings but basically the same patterns as before, which is a shame but it is helped by leaving a little time between playing each game in the series.

    Very worth playing, but mainly for the story.    … Expand
  9. gboukensha
    Jan 23, 2012
    8
    Having greatly enjoyed the Curious Village I was expecting something at least as good, but I was disappointed. The story is good and the mystery fascinating, with graphics, music and videos always of top-notch quality. The puzzles instead are rather unbalanced. Too many 25 picarats puzzles, with the difficulty (in picarat terms) being assigned seemingly at random, and too many unclear orHaving greatly enjoyed the Curious Village I was expecting something at least as good, but I was disappointed. The story is good and the mystery fascinating, with graphics, music and videos always of top-notch quality. The puzzles instead are rather unbalanced. Too many 25 picarats puzzles, with the difficulty (in picarat terms) being assigned seemingly at random, and too many unclear or ambiguous puzzles. Compared to the first game, I felt much less challenged and much less surprised of the puzzles and of the events in the game. What I really enjoyed was the overwhelming dark mood (which could be a deterrent to people looking for joyful and sunny settings), the characters and the mini-games. There are at least 4 mini-games to be had this time and all of them are simple and relaxing. Overall, I was disappointed by this title, but I'm definitely looking for more in the next episode.… Expand
  10. Jozxyqk
    Apr 30, 2012
    8
    If I could give this a 7.5 I would. I love Curious Village and Unwound Future, but this was a slight disappointment. While there are some great mini-games and puzzles, the story's final twist is too silly and requires to big a suspension of disbelief. It was a real let down. It's almost made up for by the oddly charming gimmick of the final puzzle, but not quite. But worst of all are theIf I could give this a 7.5 I would. I love Curious Village and Unwound Future, but this was a slight disappointment. While there are some great mini-games and puzzles, the story's final twist is too silly and requires to big a suspension of disbelief. It was a real let down. It's almost made up for by the oddly charming gimmick of the final puzzle, but not quite. But worst of all are the endlessly repeated "Disappearing Act" puzzles, which I cannot forgive.… Expand
  11. tstrul
    Mar 8, 2013
    9
    I will start by saying every layton game is a treat. This one is no exception. Compared to other layton games i would say the plot is average, with a beautiful ending that is worth waiting for. The puzzles are great as always and the scenery is amazing. Very well worth your time. I would say this game improves on the original on every aspect possible.
  12. Klaww25
    Jun 10, 2017
    7
    Why is this game playing for me? I loved the first Layton game because it offered a challenge and this game pales in comparison. I am not playing the game and if you Say Zelda Skyward Sword holds your hand you are dead wrong because that game had a challenge this game utterly fails. The story is an improvement but the gameplay disappoints. Skyward Sword had more of a challenge for a puzzleWhy is this game playing for me? I loved the first Layton game because it offered a challenge and this game pales in comparison. I am not playing the game and if you Say Zelda Skyward Sword holds your hand you are dead wrong because that game had a challenge this game utterly fails. The story is an improvement but the gameplay disappoints. Skyward Sword had more of a challenge for a puzzle adventure game.… Expand
  13. Anxo
    Jul 18, 2017
    9
    Posiblemente este es el juego que recuerdo con menos cariño de la saga layton, pero sin duda me ha gustado mucho. El segundo de la saga layton con sus puzzles de una calidad perfecta como siempre. Tiene algunos defectos graves como el de las notas opacas, pero dejando eso de lado un juego magnífico de una saga magnífica. Con una historia muy buena.
  14. Maarten95
    May 3, 2019
    8
    The artstyle has improved compared to the last game to an even higher level. There are more soundtracks and the story is still great. The only reason I won't give this game a higher rating is because in my country you can only get the dutch version of this game. Its fine but the voice acting isn't as good as the english version. I wish they offered an option to change the voices to theThe artstyle has improved compared to the last game to an even higher level. There are more soundtracks and the story is still great. The only reason I won't give this game a higher rating is because in my country you can only get the dutch version of this game. Its fine but the voice acting isn't as good as the english version. I wish they offered an option to change the voices to the english ones.… Expand
  15. Mattia9336
    Dec 15, 2019
    10
    A true masterpiece. If you love puzzle, story-driven games, point and click adventure or simply good games in general, you must play this. One of the best entry in the series and one of the best DS games out there
  16. Mutty99
    Feb 9, 2020
    10
    The first Layton game dubbed in Italian. Having first played the Curious Village (which had only English-voiced cutscenes), when i first heard the voices in my language i went full hype. Good in its own way, it's a little more original than the first title, and the story's structure has way improved. Great NDS title :)
  17. hector_bcn98
    Nov 7, 2022
    8
    De forma totalmente contuísta, sigue con la historia pero con una trama no tan interesante como la primera. Notable, de todas formas.
  18. Chnazume
    Feb 9, 2021
    6
    I’m a huge fan of professor Layton but. And as in all the other games this one was my least favorite. The mini-games were good, but the story is the crappiest of all the series. Also, I didn’t like most of the character design.
  19. pikalink
    May 20, 2021
    10
    loved the puzzles and the story is also very good, definitely my second favorite professor layton game. Unwounded future is a bit better story wise but theyre both a ten imo. This was my childhood and is very close to my heart
  20. Reniachii
    Mar 4, 2022
    9
    One of my favorite Layton games. Despite not having a tear-jerking story, the Quality of Life changes it brought stayed upon the series, and the puzzles are by far the best. In my opinion, best soundtrack of the original trilogy.
  21. ZangBang
    Oct 30, 2022
    5
    51/ 100
    The Diabolical Box displays all the visual charm and unique artistry of its prequel, amping it up with richer, more lively illustrations accompanying the puzzles and a superbly composed, richer soundtrack bursting with cheery elegance gradually morphing into mellow sadness to fit the story's evolving tone, as the location changes. Indeed, the Diabolical Box provides a more expanse    51/ 100
    The Diabolical Box displays all the visual charm and unique artistry of its prequel, amping it up with richer, more lively illustrations accompanying the puzzles and a superbly composed, richer soundtrack bursting with cheery elegance gradually morphing into mellow sadness to fit the story's evolving tone, as the location changes. Indeed, the Diabolical Box provides a more expanse adventure than the Curious Village, with the cast exploring a much bigger area of various, finely detailed locales inhabited by endearing, witty characters that the plot uses to subtly, skillfully lay down the clues for its main mysteries. Regrettably, not all of them receive a satisfying answer: the story culminates with a tragically somber, emotional finale that beautifully ties many of its plot threads together, but its main outlandish revelation requires an uncomfortably sudden suspension of disbelief that haphazardly dismisses many others. The returning gameplay structure offers a slightly inferior puzzle selection than Curious Village due to an unbalanced variety with a disappointing shortage of Riddle-type puzzles and an overabundance of Sliding-type puzzles. Nonetheless, the game still offers a nice array of brain teasers that challenge the player's observational, deduction and lateral-thinking skills in various ways, now bolstered by a collection of simple but entertaining minigames to deepen the experience.    … Expand
  22. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 3, 2023
    5
    AKA Professor Layton and Pandora's Box, this is a Tin Tin style cartoon containing a series of simple puzzles aimed at kids. Younger players may find it entertaining but if your age is in double figures it's all a bit too lightweight and easy.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best DS Game of 2009
10
#10 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
9
#9 Most Shared DS Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 65 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 65
  3. Negative: 0 out of 65
  1. Game Revolution
    75
    A predictable and challenging sequel. It has a nonchalant appeal that can capture anyone’s heart. And good news, as far as the sequel... wait, solve this puzzle first.
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  2. NintendoWorldReport
    95
    A spectacular sequel. It retains the wonderful and challenging puzzles from the original while offering grander story. There's a wealth of content, with over 150 puzzles and three different mini-games.
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  3. GamePro
    70
    Overall this is a great puzzle game with both an entertaining story and mind-bending puzzles. The numerous locations are both a burden on the art style and a blessing for the expanded scope of the game.
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