Level-5 is currently gearing up for its Vision 2016 event on 27th July, during which it'll show off new titles that are on the way. It'll be worth following closely, too, based on details shared by CEO Akihiro Hino in a preview stream.

He confirmed that a new Inazuma Eleven game will be shown, which is unsurprising considering the series' success in Japan. It sounds like a return to series origins, with a simpler tale of youths playing football / soccer and less intergalactic foes and time travelling.

Most pleasing, though, is the confirmation that a new Professor Layton game will be unveiled. It's being described as a 'legitimate' entry in the series, by which we expect a mix of impressive storytelling, humour and fiendish puzzles. It won't be Layton 7, in other words, which looked like an experimental release for mobile and some gaming hardware that rather quietly disappeared from view.

The new Layton will naturally have a different main character (not Alfendi Layton, apparently), and some of the early concept art looks rather charming as it shows off a typically Layton-esque portrayal of London.

Layton London.jpg
Layton boat.jpg
Layton character.jpg
Layton character 2.jpg

The rather brilliant and emotional final entry to feature Professor Layton himself was Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy. It'll be interesting to see what's in store with the next full entry, and hopefully Nintendo hardware will be on the agenda; the original six games (plus Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney as a seventh) were all on DS and 3DS, after all.

Are you excited about the planned return of the Professor Layton series?

With thanks to Doctor Overbuild for the heads up.

[source gematsu.com, via gamestalk.net]