is a puzzle adventure

Adventure game

An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...

 video game and one of the Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DS

The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...

' launch titles in Japan. It is the fifth game in the Professor Layton series, but the third story chronologically. The game is a prequel

Prequel

A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...

 to the series, set after the Eternal Diva

Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva

also known as , is a 2009 Japanese animated mystery film directed by Masakazu Hashimoto. The film is a continuation of the Professor Layton series...

film, and continues the story of the search for Jean Descole.

Plot

Professor Layton and Luke head to the town of miracles, Montdol in search of the Mask of Miracle. The mask has the ability to grant wishes to its wearer. Layton and Luke arrive at the town to see they are too late, as a mysterious man is using the power of the mask to turn people to stone. Layton and Luke task themselves with solving the mystery of Montdol and the Mask of Miracles.

Characters

• Professor Hershel Layton – His skill in mastering puzzles and solving mysteries has earned the professor popularity all around the world. He is a professor of archeology in London at Gressenheller University. This professor didn't always have an interest in archaeology.
• Luke Triton – Layton's apprentice and son of Layton's good friend, Clark Triton. He accompanies Layton throughout his adventures. He is 11 years old, and is more than a help when it comes to solving puzzles.
• Emmy Altava – This 25 year old assistant to Professor Layton has quite the fighting spirit. She is able to defend the party, and is described as a heroine.
• Lando Ascad – This rich young man seemed to be the Professor's best friend. He seems to have sparked Layton's interest in archaeology.
• Sharon Leidle – Writes a letter to Professor Layton asking for his assistance in the case about the Mask of Miracle. Her true age (35) is masked by her beauty. She married Montdol's millionaire, Henry Leidle.
• Broneph Reinel – This man is shrouded in mystery. He knows the relationship between Layton and Jean Descole.
• Jean Descole – This evil archaeologist's true motives are unknown. He knows Layton, but how?
• Henry Leidle – The 35 year old man helped create the Montdol it is today. Through the town's success, he is now a millionaire, though when he was younger, he was a servant for the Ascad family.
• Alfredo Dalston – Another millionaire resident of Montdol, and somewhat of a rival to the Leidle family. He attended secondary school with Hershel, Sharon, and Lando.
• Clamp Grosky – Inspector from Scotland Yard. He is very strong and energetic, though he lacks many proper reasoning skills.
• Shibarof – Montdol's Chief of Police. He has a lot of respect, despite not being a native to the city. He lacks the many qualities of a detective.
• Brummel – One of Scotland Yard's most prominent and experienced inspectors. He was sent to Montdol along with Grosky to investigate the supernatural events. He has the ability to see through criminal's tricks and deception.

Soundtrack

The game was announced during Nintendo's E3 2010

Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010

The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010, commonly known as E3 2010, was the 16th Electronic Entertainment Expo held. The event took place on June 14–17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. E3 is an annual trade show for the computer and video games industry presented by the Entertainment Software...

 press conference, as Level-5's representative game for Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DS

The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...

. During Nintendo's September 29 press event, new screenshots and a trailer for Mask of Miracle were released, showing that the game has received a visual and gameplay overhaul since its jump to 3DS: the typical hand-drawn 2D sprites have been replaced by 3D models of the characters; the player can now examine areas in a 3D perspective; and some puzzles now take advantage of the 3DS' unique features, such as its motion sensor. Despite its new visual style, the series' iconic animated cutscenes remain intact. Mysterious Flower, a song sung by Yumi Matsutoya

Yumi Matsutoya

', nicknamed , is an influential Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist. She is renowned for her idiosyncratic voice, and live performances, and is an important figure in Japanese popular music....

, is featured during the credits.

Reception

Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle was the best selling 3DS

Nintendo 3DS

The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...

game on the day of launch, selling 117,589 copies.