Shadow Labyrinth is more faithful to Pac-Man history than you think

Shadow Labyrinth: Pac-Man’s Gritty Metroidvania Returns with a Bang

Back in December, I got an intriguing email from Bandai Namco, inviting me to a secret game reveal at The Game Awards. Naturally, I was curious, but I never imagined what was coming. What they revealed wasn’t just another entry in a beloved franchise—it was a Pac-Man Metroidvania. Yes, you read that right: Shadow Labyrinth is real, and it’s launching on July 18 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Even after hearing about it, I was skeptical, but after getting my hands on it, I can confirm: this game is no fever dream.

While I first got a taste of this bizarre game during PAX East, a 90-minute demo gave me a deeper dive. I explored a sizable chunk of the game, solving platforming puzzles, facing intense bosses, and discovering a surprisingly deep combat system. What initially seemed like a bizarre crossover is now starting to make a lot more sense—especially when you consider the wild, experimental nature of gaming during Pac-Man’s heyday.

A Surprising Pac-Man Throwback with a Modern Twist

The demo kicked off about a third of the way into the game. If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve sworn I was playing a sequel to something like Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist. The environment was dark, brooding, and somewhat dystopian, with a village filled with tech-enhanced humans on my left. The only hint that I was in Pac-Man’s universe came from the floating, spherical yellow companion that hovered by my side.

I jumped down a hole, entering a classic Metroidvania environment, complete with platforming challenges and monster battles. I slashed through flying insects and navigated tall rooms, unlocking convenient shortcuts as I went. At first, the combat felt pretty basic. My character had a basic attack, which could be charged, and the ability to parry (because what modern action game doesn’t have it?) and dodge roll. But as I ventured deeper into the game, I learned there’s a lot more to it.

By holding down the control sticks, I could summon a giant mech, unleashing massive destruction for a short time. I also discovered a radial wheel full of special powers I could switch between on the fly, such as a damaging circle or a stunning projectile shot. This system felt reminiscent of Castlevania’s monster abilities, adding more depth to the combat.

The Pac-Man DNA Runs Deep

You might be wondering, what does any of this have to do with Pac-Man? Surprisingly, a lot, but the connections are subtle. As I explored, I realized that I could press the right stick while next to a downed enemy to consume their corpse. Doing so grants me materials to enhance my character’s skills. It felt strangely morbid, but then I remembered: Pac-Man eats his enemies. In the context of this darker Metroidvania, it’s a natural gameplay mechanic, even though it’s executed in an oddly unsettling way.

As I continued my journey, the Pac-Man influences became clearer. The maze-like design of the game’s environments reminded me of the classic maze layouts from Pac-Man. I often found myself getting lost or hitting dead ends, but this was by design. The area felt like a maze, offering shortcuts, rare enemies, and different materials to gather, much like the original Pac-Man’s winding maze paths.

Platforming Challenges and Boss Fights Full of Nods to the Past

One of the coolest parts of my demo was the platforming challenges, which paid homage to Pac-Man in a clever way. At one point, I encountered a maze of blue rails. When I jumped onto one, my character magnetized to it. From there, I had to jump over obstacles like spike balls and hop between rails to avoid them. This platforming design was clearly inspired by Pac-Man, reworked to fit the mechanics of a 2D Metroidvania.

The bosses were another highlight. The first major one I faced was a mechanical ghost, a tough battle where I had to dodge lasers and wait for the perfect time to parry. After defeating it, I caught a glimpse of a familiar pink ghost, which felt like a neat callback to the classic game. The boss fights continued to surprise me, especially the final one in my demo, where I faced off against a giant, Splatterhouse-inspired monster.

It’s these kinds of bizarre crossovers that remind me of gaming’s Wild West era—when publishers weren’t afraid to take risks and spin off well-known characters into strange new directions. Shadow Labyrinth feels like something from that era, and it makes a lot more sense when you think about how the original Pac-Man was part of that wacky, experimental age of gaming.

Looking at It Through the Lens of Retro Gaming

In fact, this entire game feels like it could have come from a lost Pac-Man narrative cassette tape—an old, bizarre sci-fi story that would’ve been found at a thrift store in the 80s, one of those weird artifacts where the creators were just having fun and not concerned with making everything fit into a neat little box. With Shadow Labyrinth, Bandai Namco is embracing the retro side of things, but with a modern twist that’s likely to appeal to today’s gamers.

While I have a few minor concerns about how well it will hold up as a traditional Metroidvania, Shadow Labyrinth is still an exciting, oddly charming game that blends the past and present in a way that feels fresh and nostalgic. It’s an unexpected project that takes the weirdness of the past and brings it into the present, and that makes it all the more intriguing.

Shadow Labyrinth Launches July 18

If you’re ready for an action-packed, Pac-Man-inspired Metroidvania, then Shadow Labyrinth should be on your radar. It launches on July 18 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Prepare for a world of gritty platforming, deep combat mechanics, and tons of references to gaming’s wild history.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Shadow Labyrinth and how does it relate to Pac-Man?

• Shadow Labyrinth is a gritty, lore-rich action platformer with Metroidvania elements. It features a dark, maze-like world that is influenced by Pac-Man‘s maze structure. While the game includes familiar gameplay mechanics from Metroidvania titles, it has Pac-Man-inspired elements, such as consuming enemies for materials to upgrade your character.

Q2: When does Shadow Labyrinth release?

• Shadow Labyrinth will be available on July 18, and it will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Q3: What gameplay style can I expect in Shadow Labyrinth?

• The game combines Metroidvania platforming with action combat and puzzle-solving. You’ll explore mazelike environments, fight various enemies, and solve platforming challenges, all while unlocking new abilities as you progress.

Q4: Are there any classic Pac-Man references in the game?

• Yes! There are plenty of Pac-Man references, including a mechanical ghost boss, maze-like level design, and the ability to consume fallen enemies for materials, much like Pac-Man eats his enemies in the classic game.

Q5: Is Shadow Labyrinth a traditional Metroidvania game?

• Shadow Labyrinth has Metroidvania elements, but it includes unique features, such as Pac-Man-inspired maze designs and an odd blend of action and narrative that sets it apart from more traditional titles in the genre.

Q6: What platforms will Shadow Labyrinth be available on?

• The game will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC starting July 18.

Conclusion: Embracing the Weird Side of Gaming History

Shadow Labyrinth might feel like an unexpected departure from the Pac-Man we all know, but when you consider its history and the wackier, experimental nature of early gaming, it starts to make a lot more sense. It’s a bold reimagining that blends modern Metroidvania gameplay with Pac-Man’s iconic maze design, all while incorporating bizarre bosses and deep combat customization. It may be a bit strange, but that’s exactly what makes it worth checking out. If you’re a fan of quirky games that don’t take themselves too seriously, Shadow Labyrinth is sure to be a wild ride.