Note: This is a review of the Android version, and is taken from my account on NintendoRadar.

There was a lot of hype leading up to “Lady Layton”, now called “Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy.” Few details were known, but we now know that it is a sequel series to Professor Layton, rather than a spin-off. The game, however; feels more like a spin-off than a sequel series for several reasons:

1. Self-contained “cases”:

In a new twist for the series, “Lady Layton” features 12 cases to be solved. Instead of having a deep overarching plot, it contains 12 cases that are largely self-contained. Each case contains a main mystery to be solved, and 4 of them can be solved in any order.

2. Cut-out characters:

The characters here are largely flat. Now, this has been a characteristic of the Layton series before, but never to these lengths! Each character has a cut-out personality and no character is explored in great detail, not even the main characters.

Katrielle is a puzzle-solving addict. She is much more bubbly than Professor Layton, reminding me of Athena Cykes of the Ace Attorney series. She is addicted to food, and is easily distracted. This is, however; where her depth of character is presented. Her distractible demeanor helps her focus on each case.

Ernest Greaves is the head-over-heels lovestruck assistant to her. He gets little recognition from her, but her loves her regardless.

Sherl O. C. Kholmes (yes, that’s right) is a talking dog. But only a few people can hear him (in this case, only the other main protagonists, even through the entire game. He wants to find out more about his past. He makes many dog-related puns.

3. Plot:

The plot is billed as “Katrielle’s search for her missing father”, but in truth, the plot is focused on the cases rather than the search. Professor Layton is rarely mentioned at all in the plot. In addition, Sherl’s search for answers is not even addressed.

Now for another problem: The plot itself isn’t presented until the end. When I said it has no deep overarching plot, I mean it doesn’t present the main problem (the “Millionaires’ Conspiracy) until the final case at all.

One more: Deus ex Machina (look it up!) A lot of it. It occurs in every case. Now, some cases may not be solved that way, but it can be downright disappointing, considering that Layton games are known for engaging plots.

Now for positive points:

This game has the most puzzles in the Layton series, and every one is good. Now, some are presented inadequately or awkwardly. But many make good use of the top screen. By this, I mean many puzzles give you very little clue in the text, and expect you to figure things out using clues presented in the top screen. This I liked quite a bit.

The messages presented are quite positive, as well, if a bit (a lot) hammy. While the resolution of the cases leaves much to be desired, every character is sympathetic. The Layton series is known for having no “true” villains. Of course, the characters had much more depth in the previous games, but there is much to like here.

And the art. THE ART!!!! It’s so beautiful, characteristic of the series. Few games can match the beauty of the Layton series’ art. And proof that simplistic design can add richness and depth to art.

The music is beautiful and also characteristic of the series. The tunes settle nicely in the background as you solve a puzzle or search for hint coins, the currency in the game that allows you to buy hints for puzzles.

However! The puzzles *are* weaker overall than in previous games of the series. Part of this is because the previous “puzzle master” (or the main person who oversaw the development of puzzles) died. Considering that, the transition is remarkable. But it still leaves much to be desired.
And DLC is pricey. $2 per outfit (each of which comes with a puzzle), and $40 for everything, including the game itself, the reason being that the 3DS version will be the same price.

But the game itself? $16. For a Layton game, brand new. For hours and hours of content. And that includes Google Play’s “Family Library”. If my family desired, all 3 of them could get the game on their phones and we could play together. That would make an incredible experience to last a lifetime. It may never happen, but hey!

All in all, the game is wonderful. It’s not perfect, and has significant flaws. But it may be the favorite Android game I own.