Professor Layton is a charming, yet underappreciated game, that surprises you with its clever puzzles.
Once you get to the actual gameplay, the main idea becomes obvious fast. You walk around town and talk to people, who then give you small puzzles. These puzzles get more and more challenging, but the reason they're so much fun is just their sheer uniqueness. Some are classic word problems you may recognize with a twist, some require careful thinking, and others can be solved simply by constant experimenting. No matter what puzzle you solve, however, you are always left feeling clever and satisfied at the end.
Finally, the story elements are nothing to scoff at either. For a game that rests mainly in puzzles, interacting with the quirky residents of St. Mystere (the "village") is also a joy. Everyone you meet is just bizzarre and entertaining, and Layton himself is no exception. His personality is like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and To Kill A Mockingbird's Atticus Finch. He'll always put a smile on your face and become one of your favorite video game characters. In the end, Professor Layton and his puzzles is sure to delight.