Previews

The world's most adventurous academic is back to face-off against another dastardly villain in Professor Layton And The Miracle Mask. But this time it's all in fancy-pants 3D on the Nintendo's flagship handheld, the 3DS.

The Layton series has always been about the story, characters and scenarios framing its fiendish puzzle action, and this fifth instalment in the series is no different. According to legend, whoever wears the titular Miracle Mask is bestowed with great power. And unfortunately, it hasn't ended up strapped to the face of, say, a dear old lollipop lady but on the noggin of a distinctly ungentlemanly 'Masked Gentleman'. He's been turning the citizens of the Vegas-like town of Monte d'Or into stone and wreaking havoc. So enter Professor Layton to bring the crazed cad down a peg or three.

Fans of the series will spot the difference from previous entries in an instant - the 2D artistry of old titles were obviously deemed too '2010' and the gameplay is now rendered in cel-shaded 3D graphics and effects. Fret not though; it doesn't mean Professor Layton has been turned into an FPS, charging you with running down a street clutching a deadly weapon, laying waste to mutants.

No, the gameplay remains mercifully the same, the 3D merely adding depth to the locations and puzzles. And talking of puzzles, this latest instalment features 150 of them, made up of all manner of brainteasers; you'll match patterns, play word games, solve maths mindbenders and much more plus partake in many a mini-game including, erm, shelf-stacking. Believe us, that's much better than it actually sounds. No, really.

And once you've shown the Masked Gentleman the exit, you can pile through a further 365 puzzles - one for every day of the year. Fans of the series then can take solace in the fact that this is the best Layton in eons and that the 3D is no mere gimmick or distraction but a blast of fresh air. And as for newcomers? Well, you're in for 515 brain-stretching treats...