Shadow Labyrinth is a Metroidvania that technically follows the Pac-Man formula

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Initially, Shadow Labyrinth might not seem like your average Pac-Man game due to its setting in a chilling, monster-infested world. However, despite its sci-fi Metroidvania vibe and lack of arcade dot-munching, it’s indeed a Pac-Man game. Don’t be misled by this ominous planet teeming with peril; Shacknews had the opportunity to play it at PAX East.

In Shadow Labyrinth, players assume the character of Swordsman Number 8, a mysterious hero attempting to flee from a perilous alien planet. The path to freedom isn’t evident, but help is at hand in the form of a guide – a cryptic being called PUCK. As suggested by its name, PUCK shares some resemblance with Pac-Man, but there’s an unsettling air about this enigmatic figure.

In Shadow Labyrinth, you’ll encounter typical rules associated with a 2D Metroidvania style game. The combat is straightforward, allowing players to engage enemies either by wielding their melee sword or launching charged shots from afar. Over time, your abilities can be enhanced significantly, particularly as PUCK assists in gathering materials. Although there are resources scattered throughout the world, most of them are collected using an ability that enables PUCK to consume the remains of defeated adversaries.

The foundation for Shadow Labyrinth connecting with the Pac-Man concept starts to emerge here. In the PAX East demo I played, there was just a glimpse of the world filled with interconnected rooms. Many of these rooms have walls that a character called PUCK can adhere to and traverse in a manner reminiscent to Pac-Man. Some of those walls hold dots which can help find the way forward. Frequently, you’ll reach sequences where you must gauge your jump distance and take a risky leap. Traps hidden along the way definitely complicate matters.

Indeed, Shadow Labyrinth shares some similarities with games like Celeste in its platforming aspects towards the end of this demo. Unlike Celeste, it features rooms filled with challenges that incorporate multiple mechanics, such as double jumps, a grappling hook for traversing gaps or ascending, and an air dash to navigate tight spaces. However, unlike Celeste, Shadow Labyrinth doesn’t have one-hit kills, making the platforming less punishing overall. Despite this, I found myself failing enough platforming challenges that I had to reach for my inventory to restore my health.

In combat with my bosses, there’s a thrilling intensity that never lets up. Not only do I need to predict and dodge attacks from this colossal enemy called the Plegeoite, but I also use my air dash move to gain an advantage by attacking it from behind. And when it comes to the truly tough bosses, they’re bigger than No. 8! However, there’s a unique skill called GAIA that lets me merge with PUCK and transform into a massive mech. With this powerful form, I can stand toe-to-toe against even the most formidable adversaries.

Despite the unexpected enjoyment Shadow Labyrinth provides, it raises an intriguing question: How did this game emerge, given its stark contrast to the familiar Pac-Man we’ve known for over four decades? So, what led Bandai Namco to steer their mascot towards such a drastically different path? During my playtime demo, I posed this question to Producer Seigo Aizawa, and his response was quite unexpected. Essentially, the genre shift for Pac-Man isn’t as radical as it seems in the eyes of some players.

Aizawa explained to Shacknews that Shadow Labyrinth is indeed a game inspired by Pac-Man. He emphasized three primary aspects that define it as such: navigating through a maze, eating, and having the ability to reverse roles like with Power Pellets. In this game, you move around in a 2D platform-action Metroidvania style maze, eat enemies, and when you defeat a boss, Pac-Man and No. 8 are depicted consuming the enemy. Lastly, the GAIA mode serves as a power pellet-like feature, demonstrating the element of reversal or turning the tables. These core aspects of Pac-Man have been incorporated into Shadow Labyrinth.

As I took a moment to let it sink in, everything lined up neatly. It’s mind-blowing how Pac-Man ties into the extended United Galaxy Space Force saga that traces its origins back to classics like Galaga and Dig Dug. So, brace yourselves, gamers! This isn’t your ordinary Pac-Man game; it’s packed with lore you wouldn’t expect. With December’s Secret Level anthology series having given us our first glimpse of this world, we’re about to delve deeper and uncover more secrets in this intriguing universe.

preparations are being made for venturing into the Shadow Labyrinth world; you’ll be able to experience this game on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, as well as both the current and upcoming Nintendo Switch models starting from Friday, July 18.

This sneak peek showcases a preliminary Nintendo Switch build of the game, viewed during a personal meeting at PAX East 2025. The ultimate release could still undergo modifications.

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2025-05-12 18:14