Shadow Labyrinth isn’t your usual Pac-Man game. First revealed at The Game Awards 2024, this 2D action platformer made another appearance during the Bandai Namco Summer Showcase 2025, showing off new gameplay and a deep dive into combat.
You take control of Swordsman No. 8 as you explore a hostile planet with your companion, Puck. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Puck is a twist on Pac-Man’s original name, and the game is packed with callbacks to old Namco titles. There are story connections to Dig Dug, Splatterhouse, and even a Pac-Man prequel episode on Amazon Prime Video.
This time, the spotlight was on a boss fight with one of four G-hosts, mutated versions of Pac-Man’s classic ghost enemies. In this case, it was a twisted take on Blinky. Combat is fast and focused on timing. You’ll dodge, parry, and slash while managing an ESP meter, loadout perks, and a limited Gaia mode that temporarily powers you up.
Each move uses up energy, so you have to think about when to go all in and when to wait. You can also stun enemies and eat them to refill your meter, adding a dark twist to Pac-Man’s signature mechanic.
Shadow Labyrinth launches July 18 on PC and consoles. A Collector’s Edition is available, featuring a UV-reactive game map, enamel pins, an art journal, and more.
This isn’t the Pac-Man you remember. And that’s exactly the point. Are you into this darker take on Pac-Man? Let us know if you’ll be checking out Shadow Labyrinth when it drops this month.
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