Professor Layton and the Unwound Future

 DS
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 186 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 163 out of 186
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 186
  3. Negative: 9 out of 186
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  1. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 3, 2023
    5
    Another point and click puzzler from the cartoon sleuth. Different story, exactly the same game.
  2. darragh_boland1
    Jan 13, 2023
    10
    One of the greatest games I have ever played.
    I played the original games 1 and 2 years ago as child and loved them. For my 19th birthday my brother gave me lost future and I had no idea how amazing it was going to be. The story in this game is near perfect with a perfect cast of characters, with some emotional moments. The music I have saved on everything I own, Tomohito Nishiura is    One of the greatest games I have ever played.
    I played the original games 1 and 2 years ago as child and loved them. For my 19th birthday my brother gave me lost future and I had no idea how amazing it was going to be. The story in this game is near perfect with a perfect cast of characters, with some emotional moments. The music I have saved on everything I own, Tomohito Nishiura is brilliant. Of course they made all puzzles interesting and tied the puzzels perfectly into gameplay. I can not talk more love for this game, if you have a ds or a phone download this game as soon as you can, also check the first two games in the series.    … Expand
  3. hector_bcn98
    Nov 7, 2022
    9
    Cómo puede implicar un juego de Layton al jugador de forma tan intensa sentimentalmente? Lo que hizo Level 5 con la historia de este final de trilogía fue increíble. Uno de los mejores guiones de la historia de los videojuegos.
  4. ZangBang
    Oct 30, 2022
    5
    53/100
    The Unwound Future takes the series' old cast of endearing but flat characters and gives them more nuanced, well-rounded personalities, also thanks to a captivating story that explores their past and relationships, intrisically tied with the detective narrative. The story doesn't take itself seriously enough to make the stakes feel real at times, but remains compelling thanks to a    53/100
    The Unwound Future takes the series' old cast of endearing but flat characters and gives them more nuanced, well-rounded personalities, also thanks to a captivating story that explores their past and relationships, intrisically tied with the detective narrative. The story doesn't take itself seriously enough to make the stakes feel real at times, but remains compelling thanks to a rich setting and an exciting investigation that introduces new and old characters in the narrative in an organic way. The writing gradually builds towards the reveal of its driving mysteries with clear, subtly placed clues and an excellent foreshadowing, making them, as outlandish as they are, deeply satisfying. All of this is greatly elevated by the series' memorable, distinctly orchestral soundtrack and its unique, lively soft art style. As usual, the story doesn't leave much if any agency to the player to lead the investigation, but the puzzle collection is the most entertaining and diversified in the entire series so far, with a nigh-perfect balance of highly stimulating and charmingly illustrated deductive, observational and logic challenges, almost entirely deprived of the more monotonous mathematical types. That being said puzzles are slightly but noticeably easier than the previous installments, making for a somewhat less compelling gameplay. The minigames are also at their strongest, with the Parrot and Toy Car minigames offering widely different but equally entertaining planning challenges that are simple but require precise, mindful strategy. The Illustrated Book is a lot less profound and a little too easy, but charming.    … Expand
  5. Reniachii
    Mar 4, 2022
    9
    I knew where the story was going, yet I still cried a ton. Amazing game with a wonderful story and the puzzles were fun too.
  6. nahobino5_
    Jun 26, 2021
    10
    This was peak Professor Layton. I can recommend this game to literally anyone who doesn't mind a lot of dialogue. The characters are REALLY good though, so this is more than just a bland visual novel. Features like moving around, inspecting all areas with your stylus and puzzles make this a very immersive experience.
  7. pikalink
    May 20, 2021
    0
    veru good puzzles, suspensful story and an ending that i never expected. Loved these games as a kid and still love them to this day. Professor layton is really a one of a kind game that will never be made again, will definitely be remembered in the future
  8. Lm35
    Aug 11, 2020
    10
    Underrate franchise, great gameplay and and ending that can make cry anyone
  9. Mattia9336
    Jul 16, 2020
    10
    One of the best games ever made. Simply a masterpiece. Everything is well done and you can see the developers put so much care into this gem
  10. Mutty99
    Feb 9, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The most memorable of the Layton titles: plot twists everywhere and charming characters. That finale where Claire disappears though. MAN.
    I cried for days after seeing it for the first time, it's in my opinion the saddest ending in videogame history =(    … Expand
  11. RandomArceus
    Dec 24, 2019
    10
    This game is a masterpiece. From the puzzles, to the gameplay, to the story,,,, well, the story... Let's just say that I've yet to meet someone who didn't cry at the end.
    The cutscenes have the ability to just destroy you emotionally.
    The music is beautifully well-written and incredibly catchy. The puzzles are perfect. The characters are beautifully well-written. There's so many good    This game is a masterpiece. From the puzzles, to the gameplay, to the story,,,, well, the story... Let's just say that I've yet to meet someone who didn't cry at the end.
    The cutscenes have the ability to just destroy you emotionally.
    The music is beautifully well-written and incredibly catchy.
    The puzzles are perfect.
    The characters are beautifully well-written.
    There's so many good things about this game, I-    … Expand
  12. Diego9028
    Dec 10, 2019
    10
    Un juego extremadamente recomendado para los amantes de los puzzles, que sin duda te dará horas de entretenimiento descubriendo que hay detrás del misterio entorno a la carta que Luke y el Profesor Layton recibieron del futuro, y que además te mantendrá muy ocupado resolviendo cada puzzle que vayas encontrando en tu camino. En lo personal, es uno de los juegos que más eh disfrutado de estaUn juego extremadamente recomendado para los amantes de los puzzles, que sin duda te dará horas de entretenimiento descubriendo que hay detrás del misterio entorno a la carta que Luke y el Profesor Layton recibieron del futuro, y que además te mantendrá muy ocupado resolviendo cada puzzle que vayas encontrando en tu camino. En lo personal, es uno de los juegos que más eh disfrutado de esta saga y del Nintendo DS en general.… Expand
  13. skads7
    Nov 8, 2019
    7
    La historia es sida de los grandes, pero los personajes son muy interesantes, es el único juego donde a Layton, se le da un poco de desarrollo argumental (Menos mal) y los puzles, son de los mejores de toda la saga. Creo que es sin dudas, junto al caja de pandora, de los mejores Profesores Layton que hay
  14. brendo214
    May 22, 2019
    9
    I never knew that a game that a game that is is essentially just puzzles wrapped in a pretty package could have such a compelling story.
  15. Da3_who_knows
    Jul 4, 2018
    10
    If there was a possibility to give this game 1000/10 I would have done this. This is a masterpiece. I am dead serious. I was crying my eyes out in the end. The best storyline in the series no doubt. the puzzles are all fun and all. I can not say they can be special in any Professor Layton game, so do not expect anything new. However, If you want to see the best story in the series, theIf there was a possibility to give this game 1000/10 I would have done this. This is a masterpiece. I am dead serious. I was crying my eyes out in the end. The best storyline in the series no doubt. the puzzles are all fun and all. I can not say they can be special in any Professor Layton game, so do not expect anything new. However, If you want to see the best story in the series, the story that will tear your heart apart and make you cry like a teenage girl after a break up then go and check this game out.… Expand
  16. Braquiador55
    Jan 7, 2018
    10
    This was the first game in which i cried. The ending is heartbreaking and makes it worth beating all the puzzles throughout the game jsut for it. The story is a 10, like really, easily the game with best story released on the DS. And the characters, oh the characters. The development of Layton takes the character to a whole new level, i cared about every single one of them. The animatedThis was the first game in which i cried. The ending is heartbreaking and makes it worth beating all the puzzles throughout the game jsut for it. The story is a 10, like really, easily the game with best story released on the DS. And the characters, oh the characters. The development of Layton takes the character to a whole new level, i cared about every single one of them. The animated sections are also pretty cool.
    But of all of the good stuff the game has, the one things that outstand the most is the second half. Like really, the real story starts there, the second half is just perfect. And then it is the end. Everything, every single **** thing you did up till the end is for the purpose of the last fight and the ending, that heartbreaking ending that anyone that has played this game will surely remember for the rest of his life. This game is just too good, it is the best DS game by far, and a total and an unquestionable masterpiece.    … Expand
  17. ZeoN
    Nov 28, 2017
    9
    Un juego de la saga Layton que no dejara indiferente a ningun fan de ella.Muchisimos puzzles con dificultades varias,sumergidos en una trama mas que espectacular con giros de historia bastante buenos.Muy recomendables para los amantes del genero
  18. Anxo
    Jul 18, 2017
    10
    El primer juego de esta saga al que yo he jugado, y sin duda, el mejor. No sabria decir porque es tan bueno, pero me ha marcado mucho. Los puzzles de este juego son los mejores de las saga sin duda, y la historia también. Una marabilla de juego que para mi marco un antes y un después en los videojuegos.
  19. D484
    May 28, 2017
    9
    El mejor juego de toda la saga. Tiene una historia muy inesperada y además los puzles siguen siendo igual de genial. Una secuela que supera en todo al original. Le pongo un 91/100
  20. Fabio199618
    Mar 7, 2015
    9
    Simply the best Professor Layton game so far...i really enjoyed other Layton games,but i must say this has something more:soundtrack("time travel" is one of my favourite music piece),characters,and the ending.Really,i won't spoil it,because i think this is a game everybody needs to play,but the ending...It is very special,i would say unique...
    Audio and the Video are really good,and the    Simply the best Professor Layton game so far...i really enjoyed other Layton games,but i must say this has something more:soundtrack("time travel" is one of my favourite music piece),characters,and the ending.Really,i won't spoil it,because i think this is a game everybody needs to play,but the ending...It is very special,i would say unique...
    Audio and the Video are really good,and the puzzles are very well realized.
    Unfortunately,the difficulty for each puzzle is often under or overestimated.You'll probably find a puzzle that isn't worth much,but is very difficult and vice versa...
    Overall,a great game and,i think,a masterpiece all collectors should have!
    I bought this game as a present for my sister:she loved it and she finished it in 3 days!!!    … Expand
  21. TheLooseHunter
    Jan 11, 2015
    10
    This game isn't a game but an experience. The story fits perfectly, the puzzles are sometimes very difficult, the art is beautiful on the DS.
    This experience is great and if you haven't play this but you own a DS/DSi/3DS, go out and buy it. You won't regret it.
  22. phishyphishy
    Oct 24, 2014
    7
    Play If: You enjoyed previous Professor Layton games. If you were the kind of kid who insisted on grabbing a puzzle book for a long car ride.

    Don't Play If: You are the kind of person who gets easily frustrated with puzzles and quickly jump online to find the answer. Or, have an issue with unbelievable and problematic stories.
  23. loudross
    Jul 19, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game lives up to and exceeds the expectations of the previous games, it combines the joy of the ah ha! Moment and a great story. The voice acting in it is incredible, I felt the sorrow of Herschel, and knew the anger of Clive and understood the acceptance of Claire. I was left saddened and happy for everyone once the story was over.… Expand
  24. teshime
    Jul 15, 2014
    9
    Hands down my favourite title in the entire Professor Layton series.
    The quality of the music and the visuals are slightly improved compared to the preceding two games, and the puzzles as usual manage to achieve the perfect balance between challenging and mind-boggling. This game sees with it the improvement of the invaluable Memo function, now with the ability to change ink colour. Also,    Hands down my favourite title in the entire Professor Layton series.
    The quality of the music and the visuals are slightly improved compared to the preceding two games, and the puzzles as usual manage to achieve the perfect balance between challenging and mind-boggling. This game sees with it the improvement of the invaluable Memo function, now with the ability to change ink colour. Also, the Super-Hint Coin makes its debut, meaning it's less likely you'll be needing to side-glance the walkthrough after all...
    What sets this game apart from the pack for me, however, is its story. It was so compelling I couldn't put my DS down. The Professor's other outings have had fantastic story lines, but the Unwound Future's personal twist on Layton's part was very touching, and the ending? Heartbreaking. Also, the vengeful villain is very enjoyable - even old rivals have to lend a hand!
    So, after all my gushing, why a 9? Well, one thing that is a continual let down within the first few games of the Layton series is the voice acting. Layton and Luke are always consistent, it's just the ensemble of characters who join them that always really let the games down. It's a real shame, I wasn't really impressed with a Layton game's voice acting until Miracle Mask, which perhaps sacrificed its story-line in the process...
    If you've never played this game but have played other Layton games, then you're really missing out - a fantastic puzzle game with a lovely story!    … Expand
  25. Peter21
    Apr 13, 2014
    10
    In my opinion this game is perfect, which is something I would never normally say. The story in this game is the best aspect as it will keep you wrapped up in the magic of it right up until the amazingly crafted ending which will make you cry. Despite some people complaining that the game is too easy, the puzzles hit the right balance of being welcoming to new players at the beginning andIn my opinion this game is perfect, which is something I would never normally say. The story in this game is the best aspect as it will keep you wrapped up in the magic of it right up until the amazingly crafted ending which will make you cry. Despite some people complaining that the game is too easy, the puzzles hit the right balance of being welcoming to new players at the beginning and challenging to veterans of the series at the end. Yes the graphics aren't amazing but that isn't something I am willing to mark this game down on due to the limitations of the ds. There is something about this game that makes it so much fun to play again and again as I must have completed the game 6 or 7 times since I got it when it was first released. This is truly my favourite game of all time and is the only game I would ever call perfect which is a huge award to give as I own well over 100 games across multiple platforms. I would recommend this game to anyone who owns a ds or a 3ds as it is by far the best in the series. Go out and buy it now.… Expand
  26. spi280
    Feb 8, 2014
    9
    the best layton game to date. the storyline has tons of shocking twists, great villains that you will both hate and feel sorry for, and some of the most emotional moments in video game history. great puzzles, excellently animated cutscenes, a well done orchestral score, unwound future is another great layton game.
  27. DeusExMachina7
    Mar 2, 2013
    7
    Sorry to say, but I just didn't feel this as much as I felt the others in the series. The location got pretty old quick, puzzles could be guess and checked which is exactly what you don't want to happen. The story was also pretty farfetched. Now I know, all of the stories are farfetched, but this one was so out of it. I could count several plot holes that arose from the last few twists,Sorry to say, but I just didn't feel this as much as I felt the others in the series. The location got pretty old quick, puzzles could be guess and checked which is exactly what you don't want to happen. The story was also pretty farfetched. Now I know, all of the stories are farfetched, but this one was so out of it. I could count several plot holes that arose from the last few twists, and this seriously ruined the experience that Layton is known for. I will give credit, however, for that emotional ending, and for some puzzles that did keep me engaged. It was just the weakest of the series, that's all, and that's still saying a lot, since this entire series is fantastic. Disappointing, on a medium scale.… Expand
  28. Mister_Cobalt
    Nov 13, 2012
    9
    I have played all of the Layton games available in the US. I enjoy the presentation of the games, presenting a story Puzzles and wonderful creative writing. Unwound future has the most puzzles, and can overwhelm you with them at times, but the ending is the best in the series, especially if you have played the other games and enjoyed them. I would recommend this game to anyone whoI have played all of the Layton games available in the US. I enjoy the presentation of the games, presenting a story Puzzles and wonderful creative writing. Unwound future has the most puzzles, and can overwhelm you with them at times, but the ending is the best in the series, especially if you have played the other games and enjoyed them. I would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys puzzles, as this game presents many of them with alot of variety… Expand
  29. Jozxyqk
    Apr 30, 2012
    10
    My favourite in the Layton series so far, and a relief after the disappointing Diabolical Box. The puzzles are of course good, as is the game design and visual style (as we've come to expect), but what makes this my favourite is the story. It may require a huge suspension of disbelief compared to the first game, but the ending is so striking and emotional. It more than makes up for minorMy favourite in the Layton series so far, and a relief after the disappointing Diabolical Box. The puzzles are of course good, as is the game design and visual style (as we've come to expect), but what makes this my favourite is the story. It may require a huge suspension of disbelief compared to the first game, but the ending is so striking and emotional. It more than makes up for minor story flaws.… Expand
  30. rubin
    Mar 21, 2012
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the first game that made me cry at the end. The story is definitely the best from all Layton games, the first one being too childish and the second being... well, Twilight-esque, if you know what I mean. The puzzles are great as always, and the characters loveable. Unfortunately, the series as a whole didn't progress much at all since the first instalment. Good game, but if you played the previous ones do not expect to be surprised. Looking forward to Phoenix Wright vs Prof. Layton, as it should actually shake things up.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best DS Game of 2010
6
#6 Most Discussed DS Game of 2010
12
#12 Most Shared DS Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 62 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 62
  3. Negative: 0 out of 62
  1. games(TM)
    Jan 20, 2011
    60
    As a standalone adventure, The Lost Future can't help but disappoint once its bite-sized, unimaginative nature begins to show through. [Issue#102, p.120]
  2. Gaming Target
    Jan 18, 2011
    88
    If you haven't picked up Unwound Future yet, do it. If you haven't played any of these games yet, what are you waiting for?
    Read full review
  3. N-Europe
    Jan 18, 2011
    80
    A more-than-worthy sequel in this inherently awesome franchise. Once you start playing, you won't put it down. That's a guarantee.
    Read full review
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