Third part of the adventures of the professors with the top hat, still on DS

Graphics
For a DS game, that is a console limited by its portable capacity, it is beautiful. Still that “ligne clair” style for the game, and cartoon for the cinematographic scenes.


Grade: 9 / 10

Music
I am not really fond of it. They wrote music in the right style, but… tiring. And the break for each enigma, and the sounds at each find, it is horrible.
Grade: 6 / 10

Gameplay
Simple and fluid. The manipulation that were one of the strength of the two first Layton were kept, there is still a possilibity to make a “draft” for enigmas. The moves should be done a bit more easily (like done either with the icon or with a button), but for the rest, everything is very well.
Grade: 9 / 10

Length / Sidequests
With 168 enigmas and minigames and coins to discover, no length problem, even if the plot is fluid enough to go forward quickly. Oh, and the mini games are side quests, and 100 solved enigmas (I think) are enough to finish the game.
Grade: 8.5 / 10

Story / characters
I must admit a weakness for Gentlemen, steampunk, time travel and detectives, so this game is right in my style. Add some paradoxes and humour, and it is really perfect.
Grade: 9 / 10

In the end…
Again, a must buy. And if you have to choose one of the three, take this one.
Final grade: 8.3 / 10

Images source:
Official site http://www.professorlaytonds.com/

The second part of the saga, with new riddles, new sidequests and more. Message for Alis: game for the teaolics!

Graphics
As for the first one, the graphics level is very high, to be used in the puzzles. The animations are beautiful too.
Grade: 9 / 10

Music
Unfortunately, I had to mute the music rather soon. It is not that bad, but… it changes when you open the menu, when you receive a puzzle, … so it is only in very short excerpt, and what is worse, they tried a thriller ambiance when they should have been stricking to the “film noir” style.
Grade: 7 / 10

Gameplay
The first one was easy to use (not easy in the puzzles), this one is even better. There is a notepad mode where you can write / draw directly on the puzzles, and character recognition works fine even with my bad writing, and even special puzzles are all right.
Grade: 9.5 / 10

Length / Sidequests
Though the games has more than 150 puzzles as a base, there are other things to do (from hamster race to tea [yes, Alis, you are doing quests for tea!], pictures taking, …) everything within the main plot of the game. Without external help for the puzzles, that means lots of gaming hours. It is not compulsory to do everything to finish the game, but I suppose that amongst the readers of this article, there are other “100% maniacs” like me.
Grade: 9 / 10

Story / characters
We find naturally Professor Layton, archaeologist, and his assistant Luke, as well as Granny Riddleton, inspector Chelmey, and so on. Some points of the main plot are clear a bit to early for my taste, but it is not so bad.
Grade: 8 / 10

In the end…
Do not hesitate if you like games that require a bit of thinking, it is a game that is worth it.
Final grade: 8.5 / 10

Links
http://www.nintendo.fr/NOE/fr_FR/games/nds/professeur_layton_et_la_bote_de_pandore_13573.html [FR]
http://www.professeurlayton.net/ [FR]

Images source: Official site

A game I have been waiting for a long time…

Graphics
A very nice result for this game that requires a rather high level of graphism (since mysteries / items are hidden in several places), it is really beautiful.

Grade: 9 / 10

Music
Very nice, there are several themes, it is a bit “Agatha Christie”-ish, and goes well with the game.
Grade: 8.5 / 10

Gameplay
Very efficient, for a majority of enigmas, it is enough to click on the letter of the answer or to write the number. As for discussions and moves, a tap on the screen does it, nothing easier.

Grade: 9 / 10

Length / Sidequests
For the length, 132 puzzles without taking in account the investigation, I think it is enough. For the replay value, all puzzles can be played without doing the game again. On the other hand, there are no sidequests, except if you count the fact of unlocking everything / find each puzzle as a sidequest.
Grade: 9 / 10

Story / characters
I am a fan of Professor Layton (style, …) and I have to say that for once, the sidekick, Luke, is not annoying me (the usual risk with all “baker street irregulars” sidekicks or the poor orphan boy). The story is a bit predictable (let us say that I had understood the plot before it was explained), but stil nice.

Grade: 9 / 10

In the end…
One of those games that you must have in your game library, except if you hate puzzle games…
Final grade: 8.9 / 10

Sites:
Officiel http://www.professorlaytonds.com/

(Images source: official site)

Si le code de la porte d’entrée à changé, ce n’est pas le plus gros changement du film, les règles qui régissent le comportement des protagonistes évoluent, tous changent en fonction de leurs entourages.

J’ai aimé
Marina Foïs
L’humour assez cynique parfois
L’exploitation de l’histoire dans le temps
La recette du bigos dans le générique de fin

Je n’ai pas aimé
Bien sur le film est construit là-dessus mais il y a trop d’interaction entre les personnages (amis, amant, maris, femme, …)

Une bonne grosse tranche d’humour mêlée avec quelques réflexions sarcastique de notre société, le tout baigné dans une ambiance “Fête de la musique” parisienne. Vaut le détour.

J’ai aimé
J’aime les films qui retracent de morceaux d’histoire et de politique alors forcément… j’ai aimé.
La représentation de l’action politique sans insister sur les manifs et la violence (qui n’apporteraient rien à la compréhension)

J’ai pas aimé
Les manières exagérées de certains personnages (bon j’ai vu la version française, je ne sais pas ce que vaut la VO), gay ne ça ne veut pas dire “folles” c’est crétin.
Les coconnes d’à coté dans le cinéma qui racontaient leur vie

Donc si les biopics vous plaisent, c’est pas mal

L’histoire :
A 42 ans, Antoine a plutôt bien réussi dans la vie. Marié à un femme formidable, père de deux enfants, il habite une jolie maison, a de l’argent, un bon boulot et des amis aimants. Pourtant, en l’espace d’un seul week-end, il va détruire toute sa vie. Pourquoi ?

Mon avis :
Après un début tout en légèreté, où l’on s’amuse de ce qu’on l’on pense être, tout d’abord, un film sur l’argent, l’hypocrisie du quotidien et, pourquoi pas, la crise de la quarantaine, on est vite confronté à une incertitude un peu dérangeante. Car on sent bien que ce n’est pas que de cela dont il s’agit… Le film retarde avec talent le moment, et c’est dans les 15 dernières minutes que l’explication finit par nous frapper en plein coeur.
Le dénouement inattendu et très abrupt déstabilise. Tout comme pour Into the Wild, il y a dans ce film une grande part d’indentification qui provoque un important bouleversement chez le spectateur.
D’ailleurs, je n’ai jamais constaté un tel phénomène dans une salle de cinéma : dans un silence quais religieux, personne n’a bougé de la salle avant la fin du générique de fin. Un générique dont la chanson fait d’ailleurs partie intégrante du film et dont les mots finissent de vous achever.

Un film grandiose donc, déstabilisant, aux dialogues très naturels et aux images sublimes. Mais surtout, surtout, un Albert Dupontel exceptionnel, dévoilant une palette d’émotions poignantes.

C’est un peu tard pour le dire, mais c’est un film à ne pas manquer !

Ma note :

Quelques liens :

• L’interview réalisé par l’ami Fabio sur Clap.ch
• La chanson de Serge Reggiani au générique de Deux jours à tuer

His Dark Material (Northern Lights – The Subtle Knife – The Amber Spyglass / Lyra’s Oxford – The Science of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials): The story begins in an academic Oxford very different from the one we know. Humans all have a “daemon”, a kind of totem spirit animal or external soul part. When with children, he can transform, and stabilises into a unique animal shape when with an adult. A daemon always goes with his human, who is in great danger of mind damage if the daemon is kept away by force, mistreated or worse, separated (which even brings the human to death). Lyra is brought up in Oxford with her daemon Pantalaimon, because her parents disappeared in an accident. The scholars take care of her education, and the sometimes receives the visit of Lord Asriel, her uncle. Things with change for her when she saves Lord Asriel’s life by preventing him to drink a poisoned wine, is then transferred to Mrs Coulter’s responsibility, and when she receives from the University’s Master a mysterious tool, an Alethiometer.

Sites:

• http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/thegoldencompass/ [en, the movie !!]
• http://www.philip-pullman.com/ [en, official site]
• http://www.hisdarkmaterials.com/ [en, official site of the series]
• http://www.missmopi.net/article412.html [fr]