Shadow Labyrinth review: That way Pac-Man lies

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Just as grocery store sushi might use unusual additions like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on its rolls, Shadow Labyrinth is a video game that takes an unexpected approach to the classic Pac-Man theme. The creators asked, “What if we made everything as strange and challenging as possible for Pac-Man’s 45th birthday?” And they delivered, creating a complex, stressful Metroidvania game filled with self-referential content in a wildly unconventional (yet surprisingly narrative-consistent) style.

What have you done?

In a dimly lit urban setting, a youngster is perched on a park bench, engrossed in a portable gaming console as vintage jazz similar to Rusty Rabbit plays softly. As soon as you initiate the game, the child vanishes, leaving the device behind. Each time you resume your save, the opening screen serves as a haunting reminder of the actions you’ve taken on that innocent soul.

In a strange alien prison, you find yourself awakening, occupying a body without arms or distinct facial features, swathed in a tattered cloak. A floating robot named PUCK greets you; she’s a robotic version of Pac-Man, adorned with ominous glowing LEDs. PUCK is the one in control and instructs you to pick up a nearby sword to aid her in accomplishing her mission. She doesn’t seem to mind if this new body encounters harm along the way. The adventure that unfolds is grueling, as you navigate through an unforgiving landscape teeming with ancient technology, monsters, natural hazards, traps, and factions embroiled in a complex, multi-decade intergalactic conflict. Buckle up!

As a gamer, I’ve got to tell you about PUCK – she’s like no villain you’ve ever encountered before! She’s got this twisted knack for hijacking our swordsman character, turning him into a terrifying beast that gobbles up enemies, sometimes morphing into a monstrous mech, other times transforming into a grotesque, Pac-Man-like entity, consuming larger foes to absorb their powers. And let me tell you, she doesn’t ask for permission before taking over!

It’s this crazy mix of childhood nostalgia and edge that makes PUCK so unsettling, yet compelling. She’s aggressive, cold, and downright grotesque. The marketing materials don’t quite capture the chilling contrast between the innocent Pac-Man imagery and the dark, menacing reality she presents. It’s enough to make you feel uneasy, even when you find yourself back at the starting screen during your gameplay. Trust me, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions!

Pac-Man? Evil. Galaga? Evil. Dig Dug? Super Evil. 

In simpler terms, Shadow Labyrinth has numerous references that tie it closely to other Bandai Namco games, some just for fun while others help establish its place within a specific part of the game’s history. To put it in perspective, Shadow Labyrinth shares the same timeline as classic games like Galaga and Dig Dug. For those who may not know, these games have a chronology, which you can explore here. The detail put into this connection is extensive, appealing to fans who enjoy such intricacies. One of the most striking examples is how Galaga is depicted in Shadow Labyrinth, leaving me astounded due to its over-the-top, mind-blowing portrayal. However, I won’t delve deeper into it as it may contain spoilers and other sensitive information.

In Galaga, there’s a connection to one of its toughest aspects, which makes for an ideal transition to discuss the challenging nature of this journey. Unlike many modern games, or even those labeled “hard” due to Soulslikes dominating gaming trends, this game is reminiscent of a bygone era. It swiftly communicates that you’re on your own here. For instance, while navigating these extensive, intricate, and labyrinthine environments, you’ll quickly realize the scarcity of save points. Even when you find one, it often functions as a checkpoint, offering fewer benefits compared to traditional save points. This disparity is particularly noticeable at the beginning stages, where every second and fragment of health counts significantly.

This game presents a tough test, pushing your reaction skills, pattern recognition, rule comprehension, and endurance. It’s designed to separate the players, even those who appreciate challenging games. For those who dare, it might make critics like me seem inept for claiming it’s too difficult, but I must admit, I’ve generally enjoyed my time with it. However, beware! This isn’t Hollow Knight or Metroid. It’s not a Metroidvania designed to provide joy through map filling and discovery; instead, it appears to harbor hostility towards you, aiming to bring about your demise. Yet, the prize for your struggles is an intriguing, bizarre piece of lore. For me, this struggle has often been worthwhile.

Get good? You can certainly try

In moments when the gameplay didn’t sync well, I found myself struggling under the weight of challenges that seemed excessively demanding. Certain games deliberately test your limits, flooding you with adversaries that seem to outrun the rules of engagement. Shadow Labyrinth frequently straddles this line, and on occasion, it seems to step over it. These instances can be disorienting, leaving me puzzled about how to progress. It wasn’t until I had persistently tried and failed at a section multiple times that I managed to advance, and often, it felt more like a stroke of luck or divine intervention than the result of my learning or improving abilities.

In Shadow Labyrinth, the vast and intricate design of the maps can make navigation challenging. At times, the game’s reluctance to provide directions and its limited self-marking systems collide with mandatory backtracking that isn’t signposted at all. Even though you have markers available, it’s not obvious that this particular part needed a marker. If you don’t possess exceptional memory or navigational skills, I can’t fathom not needing a guide at least once for the average player. I found myself in distress, aimlessly wandering, hoping to trigger a memory of where this specific location was hidden within the massive, multilayered, segmented map. Phew!

I too struggle to form an opinion on the visual appeal of this game. It boasts a distinctive 2D design with high levels of detail and resolution that effectively portrays the gruesome aspects, such as Dig Dug characters reimagined like GWAR puppets. However, its animation employs a tweening technique commonly found in games with lower budgets, which can create an impression of being less expensive than it actually is. When stationary, Shadow Labyrinth looks impressive. Yet, when animated, it occasionally gives off the vibe of a homemade fan game created using Flash two decades ago.

Despair, suffering, and Hell Yeah moments

Shadow Labyrinth compensates for its visual limitations with engaging, purposeful, and methodical action. However, occasionally the rules can be disregarded by your adversaries, leading to frustrating instances. Yet, as you acquire new abilities and your equipment improves, there’s a fulfilling sense of determination in navigating the perilous environment where danger is almost constant. This experience deviates from that of a Metroid game, where you control a skilled bounty hunter who can swiftly traverse spaces and act like a space ninja.

In these strict, rule-bound games, the struggle between your capabilities and constraints creates an intimate bond with mastery. You’ll learn where to position yourself, how to finesse your attacks and close gaps, and even how to leap effectively from grappling points with narrow leeway for error. There’s a unique satisfaction in overcoming challenges here.

Discussing challenges and regulations, you might stumble upon Pac-Man-like mini-games as well. It’s only natural since they are part of the game. However, just like the rest of the game, these instances can be unpredictable, bizarre, and both infuriating and captivating at the same time. Imagine if Pac-Man Championship Edition DX disliked you for even attempting to play it, let alone pick up a controller. I’m still not entirely sure how to interpret these experiences. Each one seems as though you’re struggling to survive an onslaught of a tidal wave.

Experiencing Shadow Labyrinth is like stepping into an unexpected realm, as it’s strange, challenging, quirky, and daring – let’s call it peculiar, absurd, perhaps even madcap. The announcement caused bewilderment, and I suspect the final product will leave people more puzzled than initially expected. However, there’s a spark of genius in this game, with an experience that rarely lets up, never allows you to relax or catch your breath, but constantly engages your mind and forces you to think. This is an utterly intriguing journey, and an excellent demonstration of a team pushing the boundaries of creativity. Many people might despise it. But those who resonate with this specific flavor of peculiarity could discover a future cult classic in their collection.

On July 18, 2025, Shadow Labyrinth will be released on the Nintendo Switch, as well as its successor, the Switch 2. It will also be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. For this review, we were given a code for the Switch 2 by the publisher.

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2025-07-17 16:58