Shadow Labyrinth: Pac‑Man’s darkest hour is here

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - Jul 18, 2025, 4:30 PM

The yellow hero who once defined arcade joy has ventured into uncharted territory. Bandai Namco’s Shadow Labyrinth, out now on Steam and consoles, is a bold reinvention of PAC‑MAN that morphs the iconic character into a supporting role in a moody, side‑scrolling epic. Forget the neon grids and carefree pellet‑munching. Shadow Labyrinth thrusts players into a sprawling 2D world steeped in sci‑fi gloom and labyrinthine design. In the game, you play as Swordsman No. 8, a lone figure navigating an alien wasteland, guided by PUCK, a floating AI companion whose spherical silhouette pays quiet homage to PAC‑MAN. But don't let nostalgia fool you; this game trades Saturday‑morning cheer for desperate survival, intricate platforming, and ferocious combat.

The Labyrinth beckons

Exploration sits at the heart of the experience. Shadow Labyrinth offers classic Metroidvania gameplay with sprawling interconnected zones, locked doors teasing future abilities, and a constant rhythm of discovery. Each new tool you unlock opens a path deeper into the maze. PUCK isn't just along for the ride either; it hacks doors, disarms traps, and doubles as a mid‑battle ace, shifting encounters in your favor.

And then there are the surprises: bonus "Maze Mode" sequences where the world tilts back toward PAC‑MAN's roots. You'll find yourself zipping through reinvented grids, chomping pellets and evading spectral threats, only now with slick platforming twists. It's fan service without feeling forced, which is a rare feat in an age driven by nostalgia.

Shadow Labyrinth's swordplay demands timing and adaptability. Parry chains, dodge rolls, and combo strings make every fight tense, but the real power trip comes with GAIA, a towering fusion of Swordsman and PUCK. For a brief time, the hunted becomes the hunter and enemies are reduced to material scraps.

Critics are calling Shadow Labyrinth "ambitious," "moody," and "not for everyone." Some celebrate its commitment to tone and lore; others bristle at its deliberate pacing and punishing platforming. On Steam, early impressions hover around Mixed, but one thing’s certain: this is no half‑hearted cash‑in. Bandai Namco has delivered a vision that's as bold as it is risky, even though it's quite different from other masterpieces of the genre like Dead Cells or Hollow Knight.

As PAC‑MAN turns 45, Shadow Labyrinth feels less like a retro party trick and more like a statement confirming that even gaming's happiest icon can find new life in the shadows. Feel free to use our comparator if you want to find the best deals for Shadow Labyrinth.