Solve The ABC Murders on the DS

Already out in the US, Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders DS game will be out in the UK on the 20th.

As easy as A...B...C?

Agatha Christie’s A.B.C Murders tells the story of Captain Hastings and Hercule Poirot as they attempt to solve a series of bizarre murders committed by an elusive madman.

Going off the simple clue of the A.B.C railway guide left at the scene of each crime, Hastings and Poirot follow the leads to Andover, Bexhill, Churston, and Doncaster trying to apprehend the killer before the next crime is committed.

He soon realizes a serial killer is on the loose, murdering his victims in alphabetical order, leaving an ABC Railway Guide beside each body and playing a dangerous game with Hercule Poirot. He alerts Poirot in advance of the locations of the murders, but Poirot always arrives too late. Intrigued by the psychopath’s mind and methodology, Poirot travels the length and breadth of England - determined to track down this ruthless killer.


FEATURES

* Live through a modern classic for the first time on the Nintendo DS.

* Solve the crime in multiple ways, and then solve it again!

* Complete mind-bending puzzles!

* Use your Investigator’s Journal to record clues and notes.

* Collect hidden notes found in-game that contains unique facts about Agatha Christie or one of her characters.

Watch the trailer:



Having been disappointed with some recent mystery DS games, I'd appreciate some feedback on this one.

Professor Layton and Pandora's Box

Amazon have emailed today to say that the second Professor Layton DS game is now available to "pre-order". The UK title may be Professor Layton and Pandora's Box with the US title currently listed as Professor Layton and The Diabolical Box. I believe this is actually a prequel story-wise to Professor Layton and the Curious Village but with an increased variety of puzzles and more video clips.

The US release date is 24 August, the UK is 25 September.

Synopsis: In the world of Professor Layton, puzzles hide in every corner. When the professor's mentor is mysteriously murdered, a cursed artefact called the Elysian Box appears to be behind it. With a ticket to the Molentary Express as their only lead, Professor Layton and Luke embark on an adventure that will test their wits and work their brains. Calling all brainteaser fans! With tons of in-game puzzles of different types and difficulties, there's something for everyone from kids to adults. As Professor Layton, you'll open doors with sliding puzzles, uncover clues with logic puzzles, and find answers by solving riddles. A cinematic experience! This large-scale sequel to Professor Layton and the Curious Village™ features three times the voiced dialogue and movies of its predecessor. The fully voiced movies, hand-drawn art style, and cast of eccentric characters bring the story to life and are sure to charm puzzle fans young and old.

Sherlock Holmes DS game

I'm enjoying Professor Layton and the Curious Village so much that I've pre-ordered Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Mummy which is released for the DS at the end of February. Amazon currently have it for £18.

Synopsis: After Lord Montcalfe's death, his daughter Elisabeth turns to the famous detective Sherlock Holmes to solve the mystery that surrounds her father's death. As Holmes' trusted assistant Doctor Watson is having a well deserved holiday with his family, Holmes decides to go to the manor on his own. He will have to use all of his considerable skills to solve all the manor's riddles. Only then will he discover that behind this mysterious case lies a dreadful secret. In The Mystery of the Mummy, you're immersed in an incredible adventure full of mysteries and with many twisting plot developments. Take on the role of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and get ready to avoid numerous diabolical traps while solving a variety of clever riddles. A mysterious murder, numerous suspects, and the famous mummy makes for a case that appears most challenging.

Christmas present idea for a DS owning adult...

Released in the UK on the 7th November is Professor Layton and The Curious Village for the Nintendo DS. (I'm not sure which is the UK cover, but it might be the sober one on the right).

Manufacturer's description:

Nominated as one of the top handheld games of the year by the 2007 Japanese Game Awards, Professor Layton and the Curious Village sets players loose in a Victorian dream world as you and your guide, Professor Layton, explore a quirky Victorian village where everything is a puzzle.

Something is Odd in St. Mystere
In the curious village of St. Mystere, townsfolk speak to each other in riddles, lock their doors with sliding puzzles and hide their secrets within brainteasers. When the wealthy Baron Augustus Reinhold passes away, his will reveals a hidden treasure in the village of St. Mystere. Unable to locate the treasure themselves, the baron's family calls upon renowned puzzle expert Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke, for help. Upon the pair's arrival, their search for the treasure is interrupted by the suspicious death of another member of the Reinhold family. Now with two mysteries on their hands, Professor Layton and Luke must work their way through the village's many puzzles, riddles and brainteasers to find the truth.

How to progress through the game
The storyline and puzzles are tightly integrated, so that as you explore the world and progress through the adventure, you will encounter more and more puzzles.


* As Professor Layton, players tackle more than 130 puzzles as they unravel the mysteries of the village. Challenges range from mazes and riddles to logic and sliding puzzles, many of which are new for the North American release. Touch-screen controls make working through puzzles a snap for players of all skill levels, and as a special bonus new puzzles are available weekly for download for the first six months following game release via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

* Unlike other puzzle-driven titles, Professor Layton is the first to offer a story, cast of characters and style that are just as strong as the game play. Fully voiced animated scenes bring the story to life, while the funny and eccentric villagers and the classic, hand-drawn art provide a stylish charm that will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike.

Be James Bond: Quantum of Solace - DS game

I've finally acquired a Nintendo DS and so far I've only got the Scrabble game but I intend to get Nancy Drew games and maybe the CSI game. But coming soon...is a James Bond game for the DS (and the other popular platforms). The Quantum of Solace game will cover events from both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace and will have the likenesses and voices of the main stars: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Eva Green and so on. The release date is to coincide with the film ie 31st October.


Some key features:

• Become Bond – The Quantum of Solace game marks the first time players can become the dangerous and cunning Bond portrayed by Daniel Craig in “Quantum of Solace” and “Casino Royale.”

• Cinematic Appeal – The game narrative accentuates key movie events from both “Quantum of Solace” and “Casino Royale,” as players control James Bond through in-game conversations with multiple narrative options. Choosing the right one can unlock new abilities and uncover special items.

Read more about the game on the Quantum of Solace DS fact sheet.

OT: One step nearer to owning a Nintendo DS?

I've been humming and hawing about getting a Nintendo DS as I'm not sure how much I'd use it but there're more and more games that I'd like to try. The one I first noticed was Hotel Dusk: Room 215: Los Angeles, 1979. You are Kyle Hyde, an ex-cop turned salesman trying to track down a missing friend. This has been joined by CSI: Dark Motives and Nancy Drew: The Deadly Secret of Olde World Park and any day Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Clue Bender Society. These last three are not listed on amazon.co.uk but should hopefully be available via ebay.

And now this news from Digital Spy:

Buffy The Vampire Slayer will return in video game form for an exclusive Nintendo DS title.

Publisher 505 Games will launch Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Sacrifice for the handheld console this November.

The game, penned by TV series writer Rob Deshotel, will be similar in style to the 2002 third-person Xbox Buffy game. The story is thought to take place after the events of the hit show's final season.

How much longer can I hold out? And should I give in now?