Shadow Labyrinth is a surprising and dark reimagining of the iconic Pac-Man franchise. It is developed by Bandai Namco Studios and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game fully immerses itself in the 2D action-platformer Metroidvania genre. It is situated within the company’s UGSF (United Galaxy Space Force) timeline.
The initial inspiration comes from the “Circle” episode of the Amazon Prime Video series, Secret Level. This episode first presented a dystopian-themed Pac-Man. The adventure transports us to a desolate planet, strewn with the remnants of ancient wars. Here, exploration, demanding combat, and a dark twist on the yellow orb’s mythology take center stage.
The Dark Journey of Number 8
The premise of Shadow Labyrinth places us in the role of Swordsman Number 8. We play as a soul awakened in a mysterious and inhospitable world. Our existence is the creation of Puck, an enigmatic, floating orb highly akin to the classic Pac-Man. Puck chooses us as an instrument of his will. The narrative embraces a dark and melancholic tone, completely separating itself from the family-friendly spirit of the original series. The initial goal is vague, guided by Puck’s orders. As we progress through the labyrinth, the story solidifies. It reveals a plot of secrets, a lost civilization, and the mystery surrounding the entity hiding on the planet.
The universe is interesting, with clear connections to other Bandai Namco titles. It has a warring past that is slowly discovered. Exploration is crucial to understanding the plot, as much of the information is found in secondary elements that must be sought out. Although the setting and background are compelling, some secondary characters are not very memorable. Additionally, the dialogue can sometimes feel tedious. The story is primarily linear in its main progression. Nonetheless, the revelation of its rich lore is entirely branching and depends on our curiosity. Personally, I value Bandai Namco’s commitment to this 180-degree turn for the franchise. Even if the narrative pacing sometimes feels heavy.
The Hunter’s Metroidvania
Shadow Labyrinth establishes itself as a demanding and deeply strategic Metroidvania. The core loop is based on exploring a labyrinthine map, precise combat, and acquiring new abilities to access formerly inaccessible areas. As Number 8, we master a fluid combat system based on sword combos and “ESP” abilities. These can be combined to create a personalized playstyle. The system of parries and defenses is crucial. With the same button, we can opt for a more forgiving energy shield or a risky parry that stuns the enemy. Paying attention to enemies is essential, as a red flash indicates an attack that can be countered. Additionally, a blue flash means an attack that must be dodged.
The gameplay is broken up by the introduction of Puck. It becomes a platforming mechanic. By fusing with the orb, we transform and move along electrical lines. This is a direct homage to the original Pac-Man’s movement dynamic, but with the added ability to jump and stop. Furthermore, we have the GAIA form, a giant mecha armor. It is used in key story moments and boss fights. In these moments, the game transforms into a festival of temporary invincibility and destructive power. These mechanics provide a break from exploration and interrupt the monotony. The overall difficulty is high, with checkpoints sometimes feeling sparse. This can be frustrating for less experienced players.
Dark and Atmospheric
Visually, Shadow Labyrinth opts for a dark, intriguing art style with a mostly muted or desaturated color palette. This choice effectively reinforces the game’s tone. The design of the enemies and bosses, especially the reinterpretations of the ghosts, is very well crafted. It aligns with the overall atmosphere. But, technically, the game exhibits some shortcomings. Some finishes and animations are reminiscent of games some call “flash” games. They have low-resolution background elements that look poor on large screens.
Regarding the audio, the soundtrack is primarily ambient. It fulfills its role of accompanying the exploration and mystery without being particularly memorable. Still, the sound effects are highly detailed. On the original Nintendo Switch, the performance is acceptable. While on next-gen consoles and PC, fluidity is not an issue. Despite some debatable visual details, the game successfully creates an atmosphere that draws you in. The Switch 2 upgrade is definitely worthwhile, especially since it’s free.
Reaching Screen 256
Shadow Labyrinth is a bold proposition that takes the basis of Pac-Man and plunges it into a dark, demanding, and deeply strategic Metroidvania. Its strengths lie in an excellent map design that constantly rewards exploration. Additionally, it offers a multi-layered combat system that rewards patience. The integration of the Puck mechanics is clever and appropriately breaks up the monotony. The setting is unique, and the story, despite ups and downs in its pace, offers a rich background. Fans of Bandai Namco classics will enjoy it.
On the other hand, the high difficulty, with sometimes poorly distributed checkpoints, can frustrate newcomers. This game is aimed at the Metroidvania audience looking for a considerable challenge. It also targets Pac-Man fans who are not afraid to embrace the darker side of the franchise. If you are looking for a relaxed platforming adventure, this is not your game. However, if you are looking for a challenge that will make you sweat and a world that will captivate you, Shadow Labyrinth is one of the surprises of the year.
Shadow Labyrinth
Summary
Shadow Labyrinth is a surprisingly dark and demanding 2D action Metroidvania that successfully reimagines the Pac-Man universe. Its deep combat and labyrinthine level design are its best assets, reinforced by the distinctive Puck mechanic. However, its high difficulty and some discrete visual aspects may be an obstacle for some players.
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