Doctor Lautrec Gets Playable Browser Demo Before Its November/December Release Date

Konami, the company responsible for creating the intriguing and long-awaited 3DS puzzle-adventure game Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights, have recently published a brand new website complete with a playable demo so that 3DS users can 'try before they buy'.

The game is still set for a November release date in the UK, but it has since been confirmed that the US version of the game has now been given a 13th of December 2011 release date, which replaces its earlier November one.

 

Thus, regardless of its release date the game should be out in the shops some time before Christmas 2011, and the new website and demo will no doubt help to tax gamers minds until the actual game hits the shelves... To view the demo for yourself, please CLICK HERE.

Mini Gamers was quite impressed by the cutscenes and puzzles on offer throughout the demo, which have all been adapted from portions of the actual game.

Although the game has been criticised in some gaming circles as resembling the Professor Layton characters and puzzles, we have to say that the puzzles which we have so far seen on the demo include everything from standard logic puzzles like Spot-the-difference and Sodoku, to more traditional logic tests to do with codes, numbers and shapes, all of which were incredibly challenging and brilliantly woven into the storyline. So, maybe this game will turn out to be more than a Layton-esque rip-off after all? Well, judging by what we've seen so far, we definitely think so! 

Remember to check in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for a full review after the game is released in the UK.

3DS Games Are Set To Get Cute This November...

It has long been suggested that the reason why the Nintendo DS range of handheld console was so popular in the years after its release was its selection of easy-to-play, family-centred titles, which were typically aimed at the younger gamer and female audiences.

This could explain why Nintendo have chosen to release several casual gaming titles which seem set to capitalise on the 'cute' factor in the run up to Christmas 2011 Amongst those on the cute list for release throughout the coming month are:

Coral Pink 3DS console (release date: 18th November 2011).

The new console will reportedly be bundled with the Nintendogs + Cats 3DS game for that extra 'Awwwww' factor. The pink console will also be joined by an Ice White 3DS console on the 2nd of December 2011.

Puppies World 3D (release date: 11th November 2011).

In an obvious attempt to build on the success of Nintendogs + Cats, Ubisoft plan to release their first pet simulation for the 3DS, entitled Puppies World 3D. As you might expect, the game has several little dog-shaped companions for players to play and interact with.

Alongside the usual feed, bathe, groom, train and play routine associated with this type of game however, does come one or two surprises, including the ability to snap a 3D photo of any room in your actual house and turn it into a virtual playroom for your puppies, which does sound rather intriguing.

Zoo Resort 3D (release date: 11th November 2011).

Ubisoft have also chosen to release Zoo Resort 3D (AKA Animal Resort). a kind of Zoo Tycoon for the 3DS. The aim is to set up and manage your own zoo full of exotic wild animals, including tigers, elephants and polar bears.

This game may not sound too impressive at first, but one look at a 2D version of the trailer for this game and we were really excited. A perfect gift for budding zoologists this Christmas.

Cooking Mama 4 (3DS) (release date: 11th November 2011).

Yes, Mama is back, and this time she is cooking up a storm in an entirely new dimension! With brand new recipes to try out all displayed in full autostereoscopic 3D, this seems like the perfect game to turn kids into the next generation of super-cooks.

So, with all this extra cuteness, will hardcore 3DS fans be ignored this month? The answer is no, there are some great November titles for hardcore gamers too, including the release of the long-awaited Super Mario 3D Land.

However, the fact that the 3DS is finally starting to branch out into other areas of the gaming market, and target different audiences, is a good sign, which could actually enhance the 3DS' popularity in the long run. 

Stay tuned to the Mini Gamers blogsite for more news and reviews of 3DS titles this November.