Professor Layton studio, Level-5, hosted their latest Vision presentation, Craftmanship, on Apr. 10. They presented previews for upcoming projects, including an update on The New World of Steam. For the first time, the Gressenheller archaeologist is stepping beyond the Nintendo Switch. The new American adventure will simultaneously launch on Switch, Switch 2, PS5, and, no pun intended, Steam.

And that is not all that Level-5 shared in their 2026 trailer. The New World of Steam showcased which quirky characters are joining the haunting of Ghost Gunman, King Joe. And finally, returning to conduct the Unwound Future’s sequel theme song is Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi.

Why is The New World of Steam No Longer Restricted to the Switches?

The Professor Layton fanbase previously witnessed the The New World of Steam demo during the Tokyo Game Show September 2025 showcase. Level-5 invited game journalists to test out their in-development gameplay. At the time, the mystery visual novel was only playable on the Switch and Switch 2.

The Craftsmanship trailer has introduced some returning side features from previous Professor Layton titles. Some noticed the hand cursor moving faster than usual. The trailer’s end then revealed that The New World of Steam would no longer be a Nintendo exclusive. Hershel Layton and Luke Triton’s journey into Steam Bison has expanded to PC and Sony, but what could have led to this decision?

While there is no confirmed answer, the most likely theory is the rising prices of the current game consoles. Console producers have a limited supply to work with because many RAM manufacturers cater to the AI industry. PC builders are also struggling with the same issue, but are adapting to the affordable computer parts that still run modern games.

Another factor is Donald Trump’s tariffs affecting the cost of imported goods, including electronic devices. Vice reported this month’s gaming console prices, with the PS5 Pro’s original $699.99 increasing to $899.99 after its 2024 launch.

There have been mixed reports for the Nintendo Switch 2, but the Big N’s official webstore states its base price stayed at $449.99, according to the MSRP. The asterisk means the price will change if purchases involve the Mario Kart World bundle and the GameChat camera.

Level-5 originally intended for The New World of Steam to release during 2025, but later delayed it to 2026. CEO Akihiro Hino may have foresaw the possibility, as the studio has experimented with generative AI for certain development processes. By extending the development period, the team reworked the control schemes for PS5 and Steam. Hopefully, the 7th installment of Professor Layton won’t rely on DLSS.

Main Voice Cast Reveals New Layton Characters

The Japanese voice cast for The New World of Steam features Yo Oizumi returning to his role as Hershel Layton. Level-5 posted an interview with him and the voice talent starring alongside him on his 7th Layton journey.

Oizumi was excited to return to the puzzle detective, for he last voiced him in The Azran Legacy back in 2013. He told the interviewer, “For me, it was an exciting development. […] When I read the script, I find myself going ‘Oh…wow!’ and ‘Ah, I see.’” Then Oizumi added, “Layton stories always have that grand scale. That’s just how Layton is.”

Mio Imada will be playing as the teenage Luke Triton in the Steam Bison chapter. The newscap assistant was previously voiced by Maki Horikita for the original handheld titles. She did not return for the role because she announced her retirement in 2017 to be a full-time mother.

Imada described her method for her take on Luke, “Luke is very honest with his emotions, so I made a conscious effort to bring that out clearly in the performance.” The actress even mentions that she grew familiar with puzzle novel series, and felt happy to land the role.

Riho Yoshioka might have the fun roles voicing the Allinston twins, Elinora and Elida. The actress is famously known for roles in live-action Japanese dramas and thrillers. Her most popular role is Yuki Agawa from the 2022 hit thriller, Gannibal. The New World of Steam will be her first time voicing in a video game.

Yoshioka explained her process for switching between the Allinston twins, “I really wanted to differentiate their voices, and bring out each character’s individuality. Elida, the eldest, feels like the responsible one. She’s stable, strong, and straightforward.” Then she comments about Elinora’s whimsy, “The younger sister, Elinora, shows Professor Layton a robot she made herself. It’s such a cute moment. Being able to create something on your own is really wonderful.”

Taking the responsibility as their father is Shinya Kote. In his official character profile, Bolt Allinston is a landowner and Steam Bison’s council chairman and mayor.

Kote admired Bolt’s caring nature towards his daughters, for they partake in steam technology development. “His concern for his daughters and the love he has for them as a parent are very easy to understand,” he said in the interview. “I hope people will enjoy seeing how [Bolt] becomes involved in the adventure.”

Speaking of inventing, Mahiro Takasugi will be voicing Steam Bison’s kind lead inventor, Eggmuffin Sonder. The actor hints at how crucial his role will be in solving the haunting of Gunman King Joe. “Since he’s a genius,” said Takasugi, “I think one of the things to look out for is how his inventions affect Professor Layton and the others, and how he ended up helping them. As the story goes on, Eggmuffin’s inventions become more and more important.”

The final actress in the Level-5 interview is Michaela Wako Sato. She is the studio’s first actress with Brazilian heritage and is the youngest of The New World of Steam at age 25. She first joined the studio to voice Charise Benzaie for Inazuma: Victory Road.

Wako Sato explained that the voice director wanted her to give the American puzzle keeper, Mystella, the brightest voice. “I kept wondering what kind of gal vibe I should go for. But once we started recording, they told me to make her even brighter. They kept saying, ‘More and more!’ In the end, I played her about four levels brighter than I’d imagined.” Her previous idol career in Brazil may have helped reach that level.

The only two actors who were excluded from the interview were Koichi Yamadera and Akio Otsuka. Yamadera will be voicing the bowl-cut eagle named Falco. The game’s 2026 trailer shows he’ll be in charge of collecting treasures, giving access to minigames. Otsuka will be investigating beside Oizumi as the American gumshoe, Sheriff Bobsley.

Legendary Composer Joe Hisaishi Returns for Professor Layton’s New Theme Song

Professor Layton fans instantly recognized Joe Hisaishi’s name when it appeared near the end of the trailer. The Ghibli composer has previously worked with Level-5 for the Ni No Kuni franchise, a collaboration project between the two studios. Hisashi first provided the score behind Wrath of the White Witch and last worked with the game studio for its sequel, Revenant Kingdom.

In The New World of Steam, he will be providing a new theme song for the top hat gentleman. Hisiashi isn’t working on the theme song alone, either. YOASOBI vocalist and songwriter, Lilas Ikuta, is adding lyrics for the celebratory return of Professor Layton. The 2025 trailer of the game features a special rap song, whose artist is currently unknown.

This will be the third time in the Professor Layton franchise to have a vocal theme song. The first goes to his daughter, Katrielle Layton, in her 2017 spinoff, Katrielle’s Mystery Journey. The J-pop single “GIRLS” by Kana Nishino became her theme song, relating to women’s empowerment in and out of relationships. The New World of Steam is confirmed to be releasing in late 2026. Check out the trailer here: