I remember the first time I popped the cartridge into my Nintendo DS. It wasn't just another puzzle game. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box—or Pandora’s Box if you’re reading this in Europe—felt like an event. It was 2009 in North America, and Level-5 had already hooked us with the Curious Village. But this sequel? It was different. It was darker. It took the cozy, tea-sipping vibe of the first game and shoved it onto a luxury train hurtling toward a ghost town. Honestly, it’s the peak of the series for many fans, and for good reason.
The premise is basically a Victorian fever dream. Dr. Andrew Schrader, Layton's mentor, sends a letter about the Elysian Box, a legendary chest said to kill anyone who opens it. Naturally, by the time Layton and Luke arrive, the doctor is dead and the box is gone. The only clue is a train ticket for the Molentary Express. No destination. Just a ticket.
The Molentary Express and the Art of Atmosphere
Most games struggle to make a setting feel lived-in. Not this one. The Molentary Express is a character in itself. You spend a massive chunk of the early game just wandering the hallways, talking to eccentric aristocrats, and poking at tea sets. It’s slow. It’s methodical. And it works.
The developers at Level-5 understood something crucial: mystery isn't just about the "who" or the "how." It's about the "where." By the time the train reaches Folsense, you’re already so immersed in the low-fi accordion soundtrack and the sepia-toned art style that the transition into the supernatural feels earned. Folsense is a town stuck in time, draped in a perpetual purple twilight. It’s gorgeous, but it’s creepy as hell.
There’s a specific nuance here that often gets overlooked. The game plays with your perception. You’re told it’s a ghost story. You’re shown vampires and curses. But Layton, being the ultimate rationalist, refuses to bite. Watching that tension between the "impossible" and the "logical" is what makes the narrative move.
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Why the Puzzles in Diabolical Box Hit Different
Let’s talk about the puzzles. There are 138 of them in the main game, plus the weekly downloads (which are mostly gone now unless you’re using some fan-made servers or the HD mobile port). Akira Tago, the "Puzzle Master" behind the series, really stepped up the variety here.
In the first game, a lot of puzzles felt like math homework. In Diabolical Box, they feel more integrated into the world. You’re not just solving a slide puzzle; you’re fixing a camera or organizing a suitcase. Some are still infamously annoying—I’m looking at you, "The Knitter’s Red Thread"—but they serve a purpose. They slow you down. They force you to look at the screen for five minutes, pen in hand, trying to figure out why the answer isn't 10.
Wait, do you remember the tea set mini-game?
That was actually genius. You had to collect ingredients—Cinder Flower, Peppergrass, Joy Root—and brew specific blends for thirsty NPCs. It wasn't just a side quest; it was a way to flesh out the personalities of the townsfolk. If you gave the right tea to a cranky old man, he’d give you a puzzle or a hint about the town’s history. It rewarded empathy, not just logic.
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The Twist That Everyone Remembers
We have to discuss the ending. Don't worry, I won't spoil the "how," but we need to talk about the "why."
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box has what is arguably the most emotional payoff in the entire franchise. When the truth about Anton and the town of Folsense is revealed, it shifts from a murder mystery to a tragic romance. It’s heartbreaking. Level-5 took a risk by leaning so hard into melodrama, but it paid off. I’ve seen grown adults admit to crying at the final cutscene.
The logic behind the "curse" of the box is a bit... out there. Some critics at the time, including those from Eurogamer and IGN, pointed out that the scientific explanation for the supernatural events requires a massive suspension of disbelief. They aren't wrong. It’s wild. But in the context of the Layton universe, where people build giant mechanical towers in their spare time, it fits the internal logic. It’s poetic science.
Technical Evolution: From DS to Mobile
If you’re looking to play this today, you have choices. The original DS version is still the gold standard for tactile feel. There’s something about using a physical stylus to circle an answer that a finger on a smartphone can't replicate. However, the HD for Mobile version released a few years back is stunning. The hand-drawn cutscenes look like they belongs in a Studio Ghibli film when they're rendered in 1080p.
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The sound quality is also vastly improved in the mobile port. The DS speakers were always a bit tinny, which did a disservice to Tomohito Nishiura’s incredible score. The "Folsense" theme, with its haunting violin melody, deserves to be heard through a decent pair of headphones.
Common Misconceptions About the Elysian Box
People often get confused about the timeline. Diabolical Box is the second game released, but it’s the middle of the first trilogy. It sits between Curious Village and Unwound Future.
Another thing? People think the game is short. It’s not. If you’re rushing, maybe you finish in 10 hours. But if you’re actually doing the puzzles, the tea brewing, the hamster training (yes, there is a fat hamster you have to put on a diet), and the hidden "Layton’s Challenges," you’re looking at a 20+ hour experience.
What You Should Do Now
If you haven't played this in a decade, or if you're a newcomer who just finished Curious Village, here is the move.
- Get the HD Mobile Version: Unless you are a purist with a working DS and a clean copy of the cart, the mobile version is the way to go for the art alone.
- Don't Use a Guide Immediately: The temptation to look up "Puzzle 121" is strong. Don't. Use the hint coins. The game gives you plenty. The satisfaction of a Layton game comes from that "Eureka!" moment that only happens when you stop overthinking.
- Pay Attention to the Backgrounds: Level-5 hid so much detail in the static screens. Tap everything. Even the things that don't look like they have hint coins.
- Complete the Hamster Mini-game Early: You’ll want the "Internal Clock" tool it provides; it makes finding hidden puzzles much easier later in the game.
The legacy of Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box isn't just about the puzzles. It's about a specific era of gaming where a developer could release a high-budget, hand-animated, slow-paced mystery and have it become a global hit. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to tell a story is to let the player sit quietly and think for a while.
The Molentary Express is still waiting. The tea is still warm. And the box is still closed. For now.