How Miracle Mask Upends the Layton Formula

[@gavout1511]

My defense for “who’s behind the mask” is that the mystery, while seemingly about “who’s behind the mask” turns into “Why is Randall doing this?” Once the Player finds out the answer to the first question. And as you progress through the game, you start to piece together the reasoning of the Masked Gentleman. The motivation behind the Miracles. The Desire for the Destruction of Mont ‘Odor. The moment you begin to understand how it can be viewed that Henry took EVERYTHING from Randall, it paints a very sympathetic picture for Randall. Of course, he’s in the wrong. No one had betrayed him or back stabbed him, but it can so easily he viewed that way. His fortune was stolen from him, his research and archeological achievements have been taken from him, and his wife married the man who took everything from him. Every time I saw the masked gentleman, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. I could understand why he was doing all he did, and Layton, too, likely started to realize why Randall was doing what he didz

[@fridaylambda3494]

One problem with that view is that as I and another commentor pointed out is that it's also possible to read Randall as selfish and egotistical in his views. I even think this perspective permeated a live stream of this game on Twitch as people weren't exactly feeling bad for Randall. While yes, it can be viewed that Henry 'took' everything from Randall. It can also be viewed that Henry took nothing from Randall because it ever belonged to him the first place. Angela was his girlfriend, but there was no reason to pretend like she'd always be his 18 years later and never fall in love with another man. Nor is it fair to view Henry as his servant or friend and act like it's a problem that he became wealthy and successful even if it was from 'his' discovery. When, in actuality, the discovery was Layton's as Layton solved the puzzle and found the treasure. It also rightfully should have been split between the friends, but he doesn't even show anger on Layton's behalf. He's just angry that 'his' treasure was stolen. "His' girlfriend is now someone else's wife. And it's just gross. Especially when you notice that Randall is a pretty selfish and egotistical person in the past. Layton physically has to stronghold him into a promise you can tell he has no intention of giving to Angela. And from what she says, it implies this wasn't the first time either. He also puts his best friend's life on the line to seek out a treasure alone in a hostile and dangerous environment. No risk no glory is fine for someone who is only thinking of their safety, but not when you have to consider multiple people. And Randall never considers the thoughts or feelings of others only himself. It's why some people find it hard to understand why everyone loves or bends over backwards for him. Especially when the game makes it apparent that he doesn't deserve it at all. It's a very human portrayal of a character don't get me wrong. However, it's so human that it can be hard to sympathize when you know that the manipulation doesn't change how warped the mere idea that someone else couldn't take what was 'his' as any form of taking up his mantle and memory considering he was gone for 18 years. And just to be clear, I don't hate Randall's character, but since he never learns this valuable lesson, it can be hard for some people to sympathize with him knowing full well that he's far too possessive and egotistical to remotely consider the idea that he never owned any of that in the first place.

[@veryinterestinganimations4938]

I think the finale of MM is a poster child example of redemption story of causing pain for others for nothing. We get the perspective of Henry (wich is often the only side we get in these kinda of stories), but we also see Randals perspective and reaction for what he has caused, this makes the ending much rewarding, because we get the both sides of view and a proper apology. I thank you since this video boosted my love for MM even more!

[@zotorogames]

Miracle Mask for me also had the best selection of puzzles, in terms of variety.

[@cupfulofeathers]

This video totally renewed my appreciation for MM. I’ve never been a fan of the 3D style but I always found the story very touching, if a little clunky at times. Your video has really redeemed the whole Randall “plot twist” for me.

[@Fabbbio1001]

I was 8 the first time I played a Professor Layton game, and it was Pandora's Box. From that point onward I just fell in love with everything PL had to offer. Now I'm 23, I basically grew up with this franchise to the point I wanted to be an archaeologist at some point, and I still can't figure out why this universe isn't more famous since, imo, it always deserved better recognition. I'm hoping for a grand return with the new chapter, and meanwhile I got even more deep in different PL games meanings (also thanks to this video). I was really surprised seeing this video pop up in my feed, and I have to say that my curiosity has paid off to the point that I think you should really try to share your work across Reddit or some PL forums. I'm really looking forward for other videos about the PL franchise, keep up the good work.

[@AurumAlex64]

Glad you enjoyed! The second Layton game is also what made me fall in love with the series. Hopefully I can cover all the games before the new one releases!

[@nolansmith8261]

This dude needs more recognition. I would expect this quality from a monetized KZbinr, but he still manages to make exceptional videos on a humble channel. I bet you’re gonna go far, Alex 👍

[@AurumAlex64]

That means a lot! Comments like this definitely help make it feel worthwhile, haha.

[@LeafarBlade]

Now this is a video! I always liked MM and was pretty surprised with its place in rankings for best Layton games (as almost everyone put it in the lower ranks)... This analysis really reminded me of everything that made me like it in the first place!

[@AurumAlex64]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RaevenRenard]

Thank you for uploading PL-related content! The Professor Layton series needs som more recognition and love. I haven´t even watched the video, but thank you in advance.

[@AurumAlex64]

Yup, I mention this towards the end of the video. For a series everyone seems to know about, it's surprising how little presence it has online

[@TheBrixHub]

I think my favourite part of The Reuinion Inn section was slowly seeing all the stories begin to reflect Radall's feelings of betrayal from Henry and Angela. I knew quite early that it was likely Randall, but the way his revenge starts to pan out makes a lot of sense from how Descole framed it.

[@Timeflow_X]

been playing the entire layton series and just finished this game a couple weeks ago. I like this analysis a lot. good video

[@catalinaizuel1550]

I always thought of the dog story like a Layton and Randall metaphor as well. Layton abandoning his hometown to pursue a dream that wasn't originally his and then coming back and seeing absolute decay (at least for Randall), all because he didn't stop Henry in any way. Great video! I really like your retrospectives, I also think the reveal MUST be obvious otherwise you won't understand neither the story nor the characters.

[@gavout1511]

Honestly, this is my favorite Layton Game. Yes, I find this game better than VS AND Lost Future. The villain, the characters, the setting, the grief, all of it is so perfectly crafted.

[@AurumAlex64]

Going through the prequel trilogy again, I think Miracle Mask is probably my favorite of the three. I'm still partial to VS as my favorite in the series, I think the witch trials and overall setting were just the perfect possible way to combine the Ace Attorney/Professor Layton series together.

[@gavout1511]

@@AurumAlex64I LOVE VS. it’s my 2nd favorite Layton game (and is the closest to beating my favorite ace attorney game, Dual Destinies). It’s strange that I find the 2nd game of the second trilogy (Dual Destinies and Miracle Mask) better than the finale of the first trilogy which everyone else argues is the best (Trials and Tribulations and Lost Future).

[@PuyoPuyoMan]

Just finished replaying Miracle Mask, as I mentioned in my comment on your Last Specter video, I did not remember a single thing about the game's story. So it was almost like I went into it blind again. As I began I remembered certain "feelings" I had about the game, in particular, I remembered not caring for the flashback chapters. I think that was because back in 2012, I'd thoroughly convinced myself that the Masked Gentleman just *had* to be Descole (I mean, he's wearing a mask, who else could it be?). Now that I'm older, and dare I say a bit more wise, I caught onto the Masked Gentleman immediately (as intended) and as a result the flash back chapters became some of my favorites this time around. I also really appreciated the more character driven nature of the plot. It was a different approach, but overall I think they made it work. I got real chills while reading the storybooks in the Reunion Inn. One aspect that I found really engaging was how Randall seemed to get more unhinged as the game and his plan progressed, going from charismatic showmanship as Layton puts it to outright maliciousness. Almost as if he becomes more convinced in his revenge after Layton appears and the "final act" gets closer (and presumably as Descole continues manipulating him). You made an interesting point about the NPCs, I didn't really appreciate it while I was playing but now that you mention it they did feel more fleshed out than other entries. That said, I definitely agree that Angela felt underdeveloped. I kinda expected that we'd get a twist towards the end where it was revealed she did indeed develop feelings for Henry, but she was barely in the game so... For some other notes, I'd put the soundtrack as up there with one of the best in the series, I never got tired of Monte d'Or's theme. And, this one might just be me, but I found myself really not being a fan of a lot of the puzzles in this one. There are a ton of repeats, especially of some of the more annoying ones (I swear, I saw red when the stupid 'dividing the chess pawns' one came up the THIRD time). All-in-all, while my opinion of Last Specter remained virtually unchanged after replaying it, I have to say Miracle Mask was a real treat and I went from feeling like I thought it was "just okay" to genuinely thinking it's a great story. Anyways, I'd intended to space out replaying the prequels since we won't be seeing New World of Steam until at least 2025, but here I am now with 2/3 done. Whoops. Looking forward to your thoughts on Azran Legacy. Even though like Miracle Mask, I also haven't played it since release, I remember most of what happens. So I won't get the same "going in blind again" experience there, but I'm looking forward to it regardless.

[@AurumAlex64]

For some reason I thought Miracle Mask's puzzles were a lot harder than I remembered. Those chess pawn puzzles completely beat me up when I got to them. And those puzzles where you have to layer the 3x3 tiles on a grid to match the image were brutal, I think I spend around 40 minutes trying to make that duck. I'm pretty sure they're in the same room as the pawn puzzles too. As the years go by, I think I've realized I might be more of a prequel trilogy person. Not to say the original trilogy isn't great as well, but it's really difficult to keep an almost annual series up to quality for six years straight, and somehow they managed to do it. I like Azran Legacy a lot more than the consensus seems to, but I also feel like no one really talks about AL in general, so I'm looking forward to making that video!

[@PuyoPuyoMan]

@@AurumAlex64 Phew... I'm glad it wasn't just me. Holy jeez, I almost forgot about the duck one though (probably because I didn't have *too* hard a time with the first two). I originally planned to finish the game last night, but the double whammy of the third pawn puzzle and that duck's dang foot drained me completely mentally. I'm really excited to see how Azran Legacy holds up for me. I remember when I played it in 2014 I considered it the peak of the prequel trilogy. When I first played the series I never really bothered to go out of my way to complete all the story puzzles, but that changed with Azran Legacy because I was completely absorbed in the world and characters. Big part of that was I was always fascinated with Descole as a character (consider me a sucker for characters with mysterious motivations who wear capes). The ending in particular killed me emotionally, of course a big part of that was that it was the end of the series, but I think it does stand outside that context as really good.

[@AurumAlex64]

@@PuyoPuyoMan The most striking thing about Azran Legacy is how good it looks. Like every screen is this sprawling mountain of little details and moving parts, it's honestly the most beautiful looking 3DS game ever released. Spoilers: There are more duck-tile puzzles in AL :).

[@PuyoPuyoMan]

@@AurumAlex64 Oh..... man....... I have a personal rule when I play Layton games, if I get hopelessly stuck on a puzzle I allow myself to look up the solution online of no more than 3 puzzles per playthrough. I'm saving those for if they make me construct a duck's foot again I swear I definitely remember Azran Legacy being a big step up graphically from Miracle Mask. And I'm one of those people who'd say MM get a bad rap and actually overall looks pretty good (though I'll concede the mo-cap in the in-engine cutscenes looks pretty awkward)

[@AurumAlex64]

@@PuyoPuyoMan Azran Legacy was actually the opposite of Miracle Mask in that I found it easier than I remembered, so you're 3 puzzle rule should end fine. The only puzzle I remember really struggling on was this awful sliding block puzzle near the end where you have to make a path from you to a key, then a key to a chest, then a chest to another chest. They really managed to make 3 sliding block puzzles in one

[@laytonspuzzle]

I loved this game when I was younger and didn't really get the hate for it, but eventually came to accept that maybe I was just the one who adored a mediocre game. You changed my mind, thanks.

[@AurumAlex64]

Glad I was able to reaffirm your younger self!

[@laytonspuzzle]

@@AurumAlex64 The child in my heart thanks you dearly

[@Ammiteur9]

A few years ago, I red a letter younger me wrote about how excited I was that my suspicions about the Gentleman's identity were indeed confirmed. I still love the memory when it was revealed, even though I know now that it was very obvious

[@AurumAlex64]

I think that goes to show that plot twists being "obvious" aren't a bad thing. If anything, drawing out a conclusion from evidence the game provides is often a very rewarding experience, especially when you get it right.

[@jonny_sm884]

I absolutely adored this game as a kid. It was the first layton game I owned myself. After having borrowed all the previous entries from our town library, often multiple times to actually finish them, I really took my time with MM, especially to figure out the dungeons. It's really nice to see it get the love it deserves!

[@SuperDuperJamer]

I really enjoyed MM, I loved it. The setting and style meant a lot to me. I never got that Randall was the Masked Gentleman until right before the reveal, iirc... I was nine years old, and I'd like to play it again from the perspective of knowing who it is to enjoy all the character work. Those books with the dog and the beggar... wow. Really appreciate the analysis of Angela especially and great job leaving the Monte D'Or night theme as one of your closing music choices :>

[@LightA28]

This is such a well made, well constructed analysis! Hats off to you, you've earned yourself a new subscriber

[@ah-hyunsuh5026]

3:03 I will say while others may have complained about the 3D character models, I quite liked them. Even when I first saw them, I could tell that they were clunky and such but it just gave the game and the characters a unique charm to them. Especially so with how unique the character designs are.

[@choosbehguy]

You somehow managed to make me appreciate Miracle Mask even more than I already did, and it’s my favourite game in the series

[@ProPinkist]

Is it possible to marry a video? I wish I could, because THIS!!!! THIS IS THE ONE!!!! YOU _GET_ IT. Miracle Mask has always, ALWAYS been one of my absolute favorite Layton games, and as an adult I've maintained that it's one of the best in the series, and CRIMINALLY underrated, even within the existing Layton fanbase that generally gives love to all the games to varying degrees. "The Masked Gentleman being Randall is way too obvious" me gripping peoples' shoulders screaming THAT'S THE POINT!!! THAT'S THE ENTIRE FUCKING POINT, THAT'S WHY THE NARRATIVE IS SO GOOD AND IS ABLE TO BE SO IMPACTFUL, BECAUSE IT SPENDS THE WHOLE GAME BUILDING UP TO SOMETHING NEITHER YOU AND THE CHARACTERS ALREADY KNOW BUT DON'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE!!! It increases the feeling of dread but most of all sorrow and emotion, because you get so attached to all these characters through the flashbacks and the present day scenes, you get attached to _Randall_ , and you're both dreading but also dying waiting for the other shoe (mask?) to drop, and to know why he's doing all this!! Randall being annoying seems to be the other biggest complaint I always see, and yeah, his younger self is rather punchable sometimes lmao, but imo it's part of his charm. Maybe they could have given him a bit more depth (and... Angela.... *sigh* ), but it's impossible not to sympathize with him in the end imo. Also the complaint of "his willingness to believe Descole felt too flimsy" look, it's easy for us to say that when we know exactly what kind of person Descole is, but he didn't. With time and memory loss affecting your emotions and the things you thought you knew, and again not at all knowing of Descole's reputation, might you not also have fallen for it too??? I cannot say with certainty that I wouldn't have, had I been in Randall's position. But all that's to say that this video helps me understand and put into words exactly what makes MM so great, things that I've known internally all along but couldn't articulate. Yes, it _is_ a change in formula from the classic mystery format involving a mysterious or haunted place like in the previous games and movie, so I guess in that sense it's understandable why people would place such a huge emphasis on the mystery aspect and call that a criticism of the game, since MM is technically, a "bad" mystery, at least when it comes to the masked gentleman. I think me being spoiled on his identity long before I even played the game (...because I followed the Japanese release spoilers HEAVILY lmao, ahhh the old days of non-worldwide releases) helped me not care about this as much lol. But I was moreso just so invested in the character drama in this game and how it made me feel, and indeed, already knowing who the masked gentleman was subconsciously helped that, even if I didn't realize this as a kid, nor did I back then pick up on _just_ how heavy-handed all the hints were lmao. But I can appreciate all this so much more now. Diabolical Box might be my favorite game in the series, and Unwound Future might have the tightest written plot out of all the games, giving it the masterpiece status it deserves, but Miracle Mask has so many individual moments that are just so intimate and raw, MUCH more than in any of the other games (not that those moments don't exist in the others, mind you). Idk, it really is so heavily character-driven, like you said, so that's probably why I love it so much. It's so underrated ugh. 😭 I wish there was a way to have Descole be involved for a final reveal without him....... being Angela. Idk, but she's definitely the most underdeveloped and underutilized of the four, and it's such a shame 🫠 I think it would have been so moving and made so much sense if her and Henry's fake marriage had slowly ceased to be fake and they had eventually started to develop real feelings for each other, in their mutual grief over missing Randall and both toying with the very real possibility that neither of them want to acknowledge that he might truly be gone for good and will never come back. If they had gotten together at the end, I think Randall would have understood, while still remaining their friend of course; a lot of time has passed, and they've changed, and showing that Randall isn't just gonna go back to being Angela's girlfriend would be the biggest indicator of that. My only other criticism is that as much as I adore the ending, just like Angela's feelings aren't really addressed, Layton also never really gets a final private talk with Randall. Which is a shame, considering how we spend half the game with the buildup of their friendship and see how what happened to Randall is just as influential on Layton as the loss of Claire is. He really deserved some closure with him, to sort out all their feelings of guilt and pain over all those years, just like the final moment Layton got to have with Claire in UF. Anyway stan Miracle Mask. It's not a mystery, but a character focused Monte Cristo-esque slowburn tragedy, and that's what makes it so compelling. I hope you make more Layton videos because this is definitely one of the best ones I've ever seen 🙏💖

[@AurumAlex64]

I've grown to appreciate Miracle Mask more and more over the years, but really, this series is just remarkable consistent. I'm happy I was able to verbalize some of that for you!

[@merquplex]

You are so right

[@azure_lioness3370]

I hearby declare you to be the only KZbinr allowed to talk about MM 😂😂. In all seriousness, MM has always been my favorite Layton game, and it was a treat to hear someone talk about it positively. I first played the game when I was eleven or twelve, and I remember being absolutely thrilled when I actually could figure out the twist (though it is hardly a twist in hindsight), after playing all the previous games and having never been able to figure out the mysteries on my own. Looking back on it now, MM strikes me as remarkably similar to the first third of The Winter Soldier in how it sets up its “twist”-the enjoyment of Winter Soldier doesn’t come from figuring out who the Winter Soldier is. Even before the reveal, the audience absolutely knows that it’s Bucky Barnes. The enjoyment comes in figuring out why Bucky is working for Hydra, and most importantly, watching the other characters react to and grapple with this revelation, and the interpersonal drama that results from it. Though it’s a great moment, the moment we typically first think of when thinking of that movie isn’t when Bucky’s face is revealed for the first time, it’s when Bucky is punching Steve’s lights out while he refuses to fight back and says, “till the end of the line.” Similarly, we don’t remember the moment where Randall finally reveals his face, we remember the absolutely devastating reactions from Layton, Henry, and Angela upon finding out who he is, and trying to convince him that they were always waiting for him. Anyway, thank you for a wonderful video!

[@AurumAlex64]

Thank you! In truth, I wish there were more people talking about Layton, MM or otherwise

[@astery5410]

Thank you so much for helping me understand why this is my favourite game in the franchise ! I always thought it was just because the city is so unique and the soundtrack is amazing, and because Randall is a character I really love and care about, but everything you explained makes so much sense ! Also thank you for sharing appreciation for this game

[@Benjamolp]

Miracle Mask has always been my favorite of the series because of The Masked Gentleman/Randall, I'm happy to see other people talk in his defense !

[@oh_van_go]

washing dishes while listening to your analysis has really made the chore easier 🤣 on a more serious note, you’ve totally renewed my view of the game. miracle mask has always sat at the bottom of my list for some reason, (ok maybe the clunky 3D transition is to blame) but wow.. the story now becomes more clear. angela’s significance to the story was probably the most eye opening for me when you brought it up. anyways, great video as always, pls pls make more layton content! 💞

[@AurumAlex64]

Thanks! Luckily, more Layton is next on the schedule, so you won't have to wait too long :)

[@blobbei]

This is super interesting because while I didn't enjoy the 3D Layton games as much, I've never looked at MM from this perspective! I also think it's got one of the best game design in the franchise too (if you ignore how repetitive the akbadain ruins chapter was lol). Thank you for this video, I love people analyse Layton!

[@TyllToons]

You absolutely nailed this analysis. As I said in my last comment, I really love this game, and though I consider Spectre's Call, I might actually have to admit this is my favourite game. Probably favourite game period, not just Layton game. It is my most played 3DS game, I come back to it again and again and again. Sure it's obvious who the Masked Gentleman is, but if you think that's the mystery of the game, you don't understand it. The very first mystery the game gives you after just a couple dozens of seconds is the origin story of Monte d'Or, and that is the only real miracle. Seeing all of the character stories unfold and come together at the end is truly magical. This game has my favourite set of characters out of the Layton games, which shouldn't be a surprise since this is a game about its characters, not about some grandiose, fantastical mystery that needs unraveling. The real plot twist is Henry's true nature, which I could have never predicted. And it's so dope how you unlock episodes at the end that confirm Angela and Lady Ascot knew from the start. Layton plot twists recontextualise the entire game, but that couldn't be more true for this game. A game about the beauty and value of true friendship, and probably the only Layton game with a proper, happy ending. Normally Layton games are care-free and innocent, and then they hit you like a truck with an ending that will make you cry your heart out. This game on the other hand is tragic all throughout, but it's a setup for one of the most warm-hearted finales I've ever seen. The music in this game is phenomenal and it has some of the most variety out of all the Layton games. The theme of Monte d'Or represents the glitz and amusement of the casinos and carnival festivities, but if you listen carefully, you can hear the tragic background of the town in there, too. The soundtrack is grandiose, cheerful, melancholic, calming, tragic. And it all culminates in the heartwarming A Treasure that Lasts and the jazzy Mysterious Flower. What a way to end it. I also really enjoy the look of the game, actually. Sure, the models are rough around the edges, but it's what about I expect from a 3DS game. I really like the colour design though, the bright and vibrant neo lights combined with the nigth sky really pop. Azran Legacy looks a lot less inspired in comparison. And the locations are so neat and lively! As a kid, I always wished I could explore Monte d'Or and Stansbury for myself. One more note on the story, I find it interesting how Layton fans critisize the obvious nature of the identity of the Masked Gentleman because they are used to ridiculous plot twists they could never see coming. On the other hand, I feel like as a mystery story in its own right this works really well, since it actually gives you all the information you need to crack the case, as opposed to giving you random clues that only make sense in hindsight. I'm wondering how people who aren't used to the usual Layton shenanigans feel about this story. I really love it. While I adore Spectre's Call for its melancholy and eeriness, this game just makes me... happy. I replayed it only half a year ago because I'm currently busy 100%ing all Layton games (the only one still missing is LMJ...), but I want to play this game again. I know this entire game by heart, I know the exact order of events, I know the puzzles, I can predict what's on the next screen and what the NPCs will say. I don't even know how many times I've played through this game, I don't care. This game is different from your typical Layton game, but in the best way possible.

[@AurumAlex64]

I did a replay of the entire series last year, so I was initially exhausted when I realized I was gonna have to replay them all again for these videos. That being said, so far, it's actually been very enjoyable to replay through these games so soon, and Miracle Mask was no exception. I think I ultimately prefer Miracle Mask over Last Specter. It's a game that straddles an interesting line between the classic Layton template and doing something completely new, before Azran Legacy really comes in and shakes things up. It's just a good time in general.

[@3ste40]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video and I hope it gets the traction it deserves. Looking forward to your future uploads

[@marykateharmon]

I'll always have a soft spot for this game. I had followed the games since the first one and this was among my first 3D games. And it's the first (and potentially only) game I've ever 100% completed. Not hard to say that it's one of my favorites of the series. Thank you for doing this introspective of it.

[@tigaliyt]

I think it also offers a nice contrast to Unwound future (though it's making it harsher in hindsight), in that it's about an old acquaintance of Layton's and a group of others, the loss they all feel in their own different ways, and the person reappearing to contribute to that breaking of the status quo. This vague plotline is used in a completely different way, both in terms of themes and the very genre of the story; and just as Claire's death was essential to its game's plot, Randall reappearing and Henry's faith being validated is essential to Miracle Mask. Those two are so different it's impossible to properly compare, but I always felt like Miracle Mask resonated more with me; that said, that may simply be because I'm aro and I would always be more touched by the interpersonal drama of a group of friends than the loss of a romantic partner. Well, that and the role of Descole, who, however inadvertently, did a lot of good. I mean, in his words, he did give Randall his life back, but not only that. By twisting the situation to Randall to cast his friends into the worst possible light, he forced them to confront a past that they had all more or less fled from, Henry and Angela in that long, insulated wait (as one of the books allegorizes) that was a form of denial on the one hand, and on the other, Hershel who quite literally dipped; and in the end everyone was better for it. I really liked that role for him, especially because his character was just beginning to develop, and that... I wanna say, DM persona, tied nicely into the theatrical aesthetics he had had up until that point, and foreshadowed his redemption in Azran nicely.

[@tyoldix3329]

I love your taste in games and your thoughtful videos, I can't wait for the new Professor Layton and your opinion about it!

[@bm_burger]

This video put me in my place lol. I actually recalled kind of disliking this game when it came out, the jump to 3D might have been rough but I won't deny I was one of those "ugh its so obviously Randal 🙄" guys. I never played Azran as a result, I think the shift to melodrama was something I was a little worried about and gradually noticing here. I didn't hate Miracle Mask, but the thought of hating a Layton game was scary enough to me that I didn't want to play the followup, I was content to "leave the casino" before getting potentially heartbroken. An older piece of media that MM reminds me of would be Columbo, a must-watch for Layton fans. They're surprisingly very similar vibes in terms of having this low-key "hangout" kind of tone, but Columbo is also famously built on the premise that we are EXPLORING the characters, not playing a whodunnit. The culprits in Columbo are literally the protagonists and in many of the most iconic cases both the audience and the detective will be pretty sympathetic towards them too. The point about Angela can't be ignored though, starting from Flora's treatment in Diabolical Box there's sometimes a vibe that these games are bored by their own female characters, sympathetic to them but also at times yearning to get away from them. Emmy is obviously an exception, although there's maybe still something to be said about the "action girl that kicks people" trope. But going back to Angela, we do see a sort of uncomfortable merging of Layton's old narrative tropes with new ones that they're exploring. The whacky Don Paolo-esque "master of disguise" tropes are a fun and silly gotcha moment in previous Layton games, but it works less in a story thats more grounded about character interactions and motivations. While we ARE basically told up front that Randal is the Masked Gentlemen, and we can appreciate the dramatic irony, these "surprise disguise" reveals do significantly undermine previous attempts we might have made into exploring the nuances of a character. Watching the video, its clear that there was a lot of thought put into what the audience is thinking of Randal and Henry, but significantly less thought in regards to Angela.

[@AurumAlex64]

Yep, and the series really doesn't do itself any favors when the next game's major female protagonist (other than Emmy) is a slave golem with muted emotions who disintegrates at the end. To its credit, I think the series started to get a bit better about this towards the end. The Layton crossover really does such a wonderful job giving us a plethora of really interesting female characters (Darklaw and Greyerl being the exemplars), and Layton's Mystery Journey has many female characters play prominent roles in the story (unfortunately, the writing of LMJ has a tendency to fail all of its characters, not just its female ones).

[@bm_burger]

@@AurumAlex64 Yeah the Vs. Ace Attorney major characters just slap. and yeah I can't even GET to the female characters of LMJ while Earnest exists. Just looking him up on google and the official subtitle Level 5 gives him in marketing was "THE UNREQUITED SUITOR!" Boy I can't wait to go on adventures with THAT guy!

[@AurumAlex64]

@@bm_burger Oh, the Ernest-Katrielle dynamic is one of the worst runners this series ever came up with. It's just 20 hours of Katrielle vaguely mistreating Ernest and then Ernest justifying it by crafting the most over-the-top, faithful interpretation of her actions. And then of course we throw all of that out the window in the last case, where they basically decide to invent a whole new personality for him.

[@le_magn0lia]

Thank you so much for making me feel this nostalgic. This is such a great work for such a great game !🌻

[@MoonstarDWitch]

I love these videos too much, I honestly hope that in some future you can do this same analysis of the characters or other games in the saga, like those of the first trilogy and especially the legacy of the Azran, which in my opinion, like the miracle mask, it is a game very unappreciated by many fans, it also deserves an analysis, and you do it very well! You are right in saying that very few KZbin channels show interest in this saga, it would be great to see more of your videos about this

[@AurumAlex64]

Well, you're in luck, because Azran Legacy is my next video!

[@MoonstarDWitch]

@@AurumAlex64 Yeah! So exciting!!! I'm already subscribe!

[@ormapa1206]

I've always seen this game at the bottom of the ranking. I've just finished playing and I LOVED. It is probably one of the games I was more invested in the story. I finished it in two days because I hooked. This is an amazing analysis of the game. Thanks!!

[@hildevandijk2066]

Loved this video! You really made me reappreciate Miracle Mask again! Keep up to good work :)

[@Miguelxcool]

I always asked myself why did I like this game so much despite its mistery being so obvious. And I was sure it wasn't nostalgia, I played it like 10 years after it's release

[@fridaylambda3494]

I personally don't hate Miracle Mask, but I also struggle to enjoy it as much as the OG trilogy. I think part of the problem is that Miracle Mask has some heavy growing pains that the plot just can't overcome. I can agree, for example, that the game's central mystery is no longer the Who's or How's of prior Layton's. I think that is fine and a good change of pace. The problem though is the mystery isn't framed that way to the player for it's entire run. Most of the game has Layton going "Who is the Masked Gentleman" and solving the hows behind his miracle. The scene that first hints Randall is the Masked Gentleman. Additionally, while Dalston is completely wrong on the who, he is pretty much hitting the nail on the motive in Chapter 3. As such, the player theoretically already knows everything long before you get to the Reunion Inn (Chapter 7). Meanwhile, it feels like we're ahead of Layton as right before he goes to the Reunion Inn he bluntly says "I don't know yet." He might have suspected, but Layton never arrived at that conclusion in a way to reframe the focus on his motives. The game itself instead frames the current mysteries on tracking down the Gentleman and uncovering his miracles true natures. Meanwhile, the idea behind reliving the past is to understand a clue as to the Mask of Chaos rather than understanding Randall's character. No where before the tale starts do they speculate "Well couldn't it be this Randall?" and Layton going that's impossible. Nor by the end does anyone comment that Randall wouldn't have fallen into a dark chasm unharmed because of the water forcing Layton to consider Randall a suspect and thus recentering his perspective on motive. I ultimately felt like this only became the central mystery when we were forced to finally go to the Reunion Inn where the entire motive is crammed into one chapter. What would have been more useful is each clue subtly being left behind at each miracle slowly making Layton come to the realization that yes it's Randall and he mad. But taking a step back, another issue is pacing. At times, I felt the plot was either rushed or going at a slow pace leaving it difficult to process the plot. Chapter 3, for example, is a complete circle where Layton starts and ends in the same place before it's like "Well time for a dark miracle." Chapter 4 then feels extremely short and not worth the payoff as it could have been explained in Chapter 2. This pacing issue even extends to where the player vs. Layton are. I often feel like I'm ahead of Layton when it comes to solving the mystery. But then, he picks up on things that I have no ability to properly predict. I don't physically see a change in Angela' when Layton unveils it as a major mystery nor do I feel like the connection with Henry's suspicious behavior fits with the conversation we're having. Both mysteries though come across to me more apparently in later scenes. Even towards the end, I'm like "She lost her unease. Uh she was literally doing a dot dot dot out of nervousness in her conversation. That hesitation is unease. If anything, she was getting anxious." And then there's the case where Layton magically understands that the ruins were buried by the Azran and the true nature of the masks was to unearth it. I still don't see how the game was hinting at that. The ruins? Yes. The whole restoring the ruins to their original elevation? No. And I still didn't care for this later chapter because it was extremely obvious Randall was going to destroy the town. He literally said it at least 4-5 times that Monte D'Or is doomed. Yet no one is being evacuated or warned risking hundreds of thousands of lives for what? Dramatic stakes. It ties into the prior point since Layton is so far ahead of me that I don't see the gain in risking people's lives or at least acknowledging it's impossible to evacuate the whole town before sunset. It'd at least help make me aware that Layton is finally catching up for the finale. I also have a hard time relating to the characters because despite it being a heavy character game, I'm not feeling the strong connection I should. Randall is at many times a terrible friend and selfish human. It's hard to care for him when we don't fully understand how and why everyone loves him. Consider how the plot is basically him angry for losing his fortune and his best friend/servant gained millions (even if it was from the treasure 'he' found) or married the woman he was dating. It comes across as pretty egotistical and selfish that these things belonged to him. Angela as you stated barely gets any time to breath (also a symptom of Chapter 4's fast-paced story) so I can't feel bad for her either. That leaves Henry and Layton. Layton I struggle with because the plot continuously follows the idea of Layton cannot break down from the 1st, 2nd, and 4th games. I feel indifferent because the game doesn't act they were or are best friends. Randall seems to have detached himself entirely to Layton while Layton is completely indifferent. Instead, it feels like Henry was always his best friend especially near the end. But even then, I can't feel anything for Henry either as he was also shown as indifferent right until the very end when they show one very minor example of this friendship. It doesn't work for me as the devotion and loyalty don't feel earned for Randall and I'm left baffled at how poorly Henry conveyed this was a town built for Randall (there isn't even a monument in the Reunion Inn saying it was built for the promise that a friend will return). And then of course, there are the cliches. There's nothing wrong with using them so long as they're used to create a unique or engaging experience. However, this game plays many of these cliches straight to the point it feels like writing shortcuts than intentional. How did Randall survive? Convenient river that flows to a remote village. Why was he gone for 18 years? Amnesia. Why is he attacking the town? Manipulated by the villain and amnesia. The classic misdirections to make people look like the bad guy when it is the overly nice and friendly person all along? Classic Scooby doo moment. I don't hate cliches, but I think using them like Miracle Mask is why so many people don't like it as much. Cliches make the mystery obvious and don't make it a more engaging narrative. Yet they're also a quick method to reshape how a Layton plot occurs and was probably why they used them to such a high extent. Unfortunately, it left me feeling unsatisfied with the end product as it didn't fully deliver by riding so heavily on them. And that's probably why, at least for me, Miracle Mask didn't quite work as well as it should have.

[@toast82]

It's an uglyass game but definately deserves love, I'm happy you made a video appreciating it

[@AurumAlex64]

It's kinda impressive how much nicer VS and Azran Legacy look in comparison

[@merquplex]

Finally someone else understands! I've always loved this game since I played it, the characters are so interesting to me, and as someone who prefers character driven stories it's easy to see why I like it so much. I think what helped deepen my connection to the game was the fact that when I played it for the first time, I was the same age as the young layton haha You are definitely right about angela, I always wish she was as fleshed out as henry and randall whom I both love dearly! Probably the worst aspect of the franchise is its writing of its female characters, although they do a great job in eternal diva All this to say.... miracle mask isn't even my number 1 layton game! That's how good this franchise is lmao! It does come in a very close second place though (my fav is lost future). It's nice to see someone else understand the game rather than bash it without much thought

[@Christophorus864]

MM is imo the the best game in the preqel trilogie because montedor is so lively the people have opinions and react to what happend. I really liked talking to people wanted to hear what they hat to say. If NWOS can craete such a living and interesting city to explore again its gonna be a great imo.

[@maxweiser8278]

Great video!

[@Natelu-Sama]

i really loved miracle mask. most layton games feel pretty uninterested in their story, with entire chapters dedicated to finding lost animals or running to dead ends, since its mostly an excuse to have fun dialogue and puzzles. but these last two prequels really feel like different beasts, miracle mask especially. as you say, it can be pretty vicious too- standing up there with the ending of LF. great stuff. theres noticably better puzzles than SC too, tho theyre definitely weaker than the OT. big agree on angela too- theyve got a really compelling start of a character and then dont let her be part of the plot. its a shame that all of these games struggle with letting women be part of the story- arrianna in SC, auroura in AL and emmy in both of the above are the only ones i can think of who actually get to be a part of the narrative.

[@AurumAlex64]

Yeah, I think the Layton series does tend to stray into benevolent sexism from time to time, though I'd probably add Katia from DB to your list of "female characters who actually get to be a part of the narrative". I think the series has gotten a bit better with this over time, with both Vs. and LMJ having a pretty good assortment of female characters in prominent story roles.

[@Natelu-Sama]

@@AurumAlex64 "benevolent sexism" is a good way to phrase it, ive not heard that before its a problem kind of inherent to the premise- layton might be living in the 60s, but hes old fashioned even for the time. the "gentlemen" fantasy is itself chauvinist, and its disappointing the games never really try to square that circle. aurora and flora both simple damsels in distress (although aurora does get to do some interesting stuff, from a purely feminist analysis perspective its not exactly inspiring) and while emmy does get to be cool and proactive, ultimately her motivation is to impress and work with layton (a man) until, plot twist, her motivation was actually to help a different man. again, i like her as a character, but if this is the lens im looking through its not great im still yet to get to katrielle, but what i hear isnt exactly great on this front. above everything, the games initial title being "lady layton" sorta speaks for itself fingers crossed NWOS actually has something to say about this, because its such an obvious vein to mine

[@AurumAlex64]

I'm pretty sure there's a part in this game where Randall says to Layton that "chivalry is dead," to which Layton responds, "I'd like to think it's just... hibernating," which I though was a pretty amusing conversation. I think the dislike towards Katrielle is for mostly unrelated reasons. In some sense, the main thrust of the game is Katrielle trying to work her way out of her father's shadow, with building her own detective agency as a way to leave her own mark. The ire comes in because she ends up being very... dismissive towards her clients and "co-workers" (I put in quotes because one of the recurring "jokes" is that she doesn't pay Ernest for him doing all the chores around the office). I also appreciate that LMJ gives Katrielle a foil with Emiliana, which the game does... absolutely nothing with, but it was at least a nice thought.

[@caprielazevedo]

MM is peak

[@casualdork6661]

the count of monte cristo looking a little different here

[@guy-sl3kr]

I disagree that this game changes the Layton formula. Personally I think it's the most trite entry in the franchise that rivals mystery journey as the worst game, period. I know that sounds harsh but I'm a miracle mask hater and I gotta let it out. For starters, the town is the lamest take out of every game yet - it's just a town. It's not dreary or bucolic or fantastical or romantic. It's canonically an extravagant desert city that's so flush with cash from its flood of tourists that it exploded in size from a mere outpost in only 18 years... So what does its plaza look like? About the same as Misthallery. What about its amusement park? It's smaller than the one that gets set up in my suburb for a week in summer. Its museum is worse than Folsense's, the hotel is totally regular, and the streets are just normal frickin streets. The vibes are not there. Awful. And then there's the "mysteries"? They feel like they're there out of obligation, because it's a Layton game so there has to be a little icon on the menu with ten discrete mysteries that you unravel. The way Layton immediately solves all the miracles seconds after they happen _and then lectures you about it_ feels like parody, of both Layton's character as a detective and of the series's contrived stories. Like you mentioned, the only thing that the player truly doesn't know is _why_ Randall is being an ass but tbh I didn't care. Because Randall fucking sucks!!!!! He was arrogant, pushy, and selfish as a teenager and somehow got even worse as an adult and I'm supposed to feel sorry for him? What, because he let his slave borrow his toy one time? Layton should've let his ass fall into the pit when he had the second chance. This man does NOT deserve friends and I find it plainly unbelievable that anyone remembers him fondly, let alone built a city after him. Not to mention that his servant entered a lavender marriage (Henry is definitely queercoded, I'm not the only one who sees it right?) to keep his wife warm for him too, like... seriously? The writers really wanted to hammer it home that Randall is the specialest person in the world whose presence touches the lives of all around him, but they could not have made him more of a conceited ingrate. He really is the most rich, white, British man ever and it astounds me that a character this unlikeable was made the main character. Also the game's ugly.

[@sashimi879]

Nah

[@hysteri]

This is the only game of the franchise that I've played and I vividly remember the day my mum came home with it not knowing how much I'd come to love the game and franchise 🥹❤ ugh i cant wait for the new game