Video game Professor Layton and the Curious Village gets more curious

Nearly everything in and about Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a puzzle. Ask a villager for directions, and you'll get a response akin to "Sure, I can help ya. Say, that reminds me of a puzzle. Maybe you can help me figure it out?" Pet a cat, and someone likely will be reminded of a puzzle about mice.

Look at a picture, and chances are you'll discover a hidden puzzle.

With all of these puzzles popping out at you from every direction, it's difficult to stay on track and solve the bigger mysteries of St. Mystere, the "curious village" of the game's title.

Professor Layton is a series that grew out Akihiro Hino's love of brain teasers. The president of game development house Level 5, Akihiro Hino enjoys the work of Akira Tago, professor emeritus of Chiba University and author of the "Head Gymnastics" series of puzzle books.