The game also includes a separate RPG known as 'London Life' which can be unlocked after the completion of the main puzzle adventure. Co-developed by Brownie Brown, 'London Life' is touted to run for over 100 hours in gameplay. London Life was at first reported to be exclusive to North America and Japan. Afterwards, Nintendo UK confirmed that it will not be included in the European versions of the game.
The game was confirmed to release on the Nintendo DS in North America in October 17, 2011, and in Europe in November 2011.
The story begins with a strange man reading an old myth of a powerful specter emerging from the mist to protect a village at the sound of a flute. The specter became the village's defense from all harm, and that flute, the Specter's Flute, became the village's treasure. At the end of the story, he stands up and asks his butler if his game is ready. The butler responds, saying, "Yes, it's ready, master."
Layton, Luke, and Emmy are waiting in the hotel of Mist Haley waiting to see if the legends are true. Layton is about to give up, when they hear the sound of a flute. They look outside to see a terrifying specter emerge from the mist, as it begins to destroy the town. Emmy takes out her camera to take a picture, but as soon as she does, the specter destroys the hotel they are in. The impact destroys Emmy's camera, and knocks the three of them back.
The specter shortly vanishes, and Emmy thinks back on how this entire adventure began. Dean Delmona of Gresenheller University hired Emmy to be the assistant to Professor Layton. As she arrives on her first day on the job, she sees Layton has already left his residence, because of an urgent request from his friend Clark Triton asking for help. She drives out looking for him, only to notice he doesn't know her. She then drives right in front of him, and then slams the brakes, forcing him to acknowledge her. She then ties her "Emmycycle" to the top of the Laytonmobile, and explains that she will be his new assistant. Layton, not overly pleased with having an apprentice, hands Emmy the letter from Clark asking her to find the hidden message.
Emmy quickly finds the hidden message saying "Please help me." They then arrive at Mist Haley to see the terrible destruction caused by the legendary specter. They head to Clark's house, only to realize Clark's surprise to see them. Layton explains the letter, and Clark says someone else must have written the letter, but he does admit the letter is true. Clark says how Mist Haley is atop ancient ruins, and that they may have awaken the specter. Layton then asks where his son, Luke, is and Clark directs them upstairs. Clark Triton, as mayor of Mist Haley, lets Luke assist Layton on their investigation, as he has too much work to be done. They explore the town for the day, and examine the town, to see the entire village is connected by rivers emerging from a dam at the north end of the village. After the day ends, they camp out in the hotel to see if the specter legends are as accurate as the townsfolk claim.
