The basic point of the game is simple enough. You play as Maxwell and are trying to collect hidden starites in each level. The game offers variety with two different kinds of levels – puzzle levels and action levels. During both, you are supposed to use the large and incredibly varied dictionary to summon what seem like an endless variety of items to help you in your quest. This can mean that you will often enjoy the sublimely ridiculous, like catching butterflies with pterodactyls.

Unfortunately, while the option to be creative is there and ready for you to use, you’re often not forced to use it. While you certainly are able to think up elaborate ways to get to the top of the level, it’s often much too easy to just use wings and sail through. This lack of incentive to think creatively means that it can be all too tempting to power through levels with no regard for the creative opportunities you’re missing out on.

The controls offers another issue. Seeing as almost everything in the game is controlled by the stylus, you can often intend to build a bridge over a pit of lava – and end up sending Maxwell to a fiery death instead. These quirks never really resolve themselves and will plague you through the game. Still, if you can force yourself to think past the obvious and into the silly, Scribblenauts offers endless of fun, hilarious scenarios that are a great way to spend time.

Join Professor Layton and his apprentice Luke as they try to unravel the mystery of the deadly Elysian Box, solving a seemingly endless string of over 150 mind bending puzzles along the way. Blending mystery, actions, and those aforementioned puzzles into one seamless and entertaining jaunt, the newest Professor Layton game will have fans clamoring for even more.

Features that delighted so much in the first game are definitely still present in this sequel. The graphics are still charming, the music entertaining, and the cut scenes adorably well done. True puzzle fiends will love the variety present in these brainteasers, with each one being a fresh new challenge. If you get stuck, use the hint coins you find along the way to buy a tip. With several minigames and unlockable bonus features, plus the ability to download a new puzzle each week, this game completely avoids becoming stale or repetitive.

What’s more, new features add even more impressive gameplay. Offering a plethora of areas to explore and new scenery to look at, the world in this game feels much more expansive. The addition of a memo pad helps you keep track of clues and doodle possible solutions for puzzles without wasting paper. With over 20 hours of gameplay just on the main storyline, the question of whether or not to buy this game is no puzzle at all.

What do you think? Let us know with a comment below. And keep gaming. It’ll help keep you sane.