Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Aug 26, 2015
    70
    Mixing up the Pac-Man format, PAC-MAN 256 turns things endless.
  2. Aug 19, 2015
    65
    Addictive and classic Pac-Man gameplay combined with new features like power ups and an endless runner feel.
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 56
  2. Negative: 11 out of 56
  1. Aug 23, 2015
    7
    From the makers of Crossy Road and Bandi Namco comes PAC-MAN 256, a "re-imagining" of the classic PAC-MAN formula makes for what is anFrom the makers of Crossy Road and Bandi Namco comes PAC-MAN 256, a "re-imagining" of the classic PAC-MAN formula makes for what is an addicting, but very bare-bones game. The game puts your normal game of PAC-MAN on a 3D grid, in which you have to go as far as you can, collecting pellets, and escaping the "glitch", which is a throwback to the old "Level 256" in which the game would glitch out, which is probably what inspired the title. You can also "level up" and unlock power-ups, which provide new ways of taking down ghosts. But other than the power-ups, there really isn't much to collect in this game. This is coming from the studio who made crossy road, a huge game that had about a hundred and growing characters to use, but the game is still new so I'm sure we'll see additions. The game (at least for my phone) drains the battery a lot, which is really a set back. And playing the game itself also may get tedious at more than an hour or 2 at a time. Overall, PAC-MAN 256 is a fun re-imagining of the original PAC-MAN formula, even if there isn't much to collect and might not take up a ton of your time. Full Review »
  2. Aug 20, 2015
    8
    Pac-Man 256 is pretty much everything you love about the 1980 classic, but with a unique twist that forces gamers to adapt to a completelyPac-Man 256 is pretty much everything you love about the 1980 classic, but with a unique twist that forces gamers to adapt to a completely brand new game. Include some brand new features and you've got an amazing classic revived, but with the free-to-play restrictions associated with it. Full Review »
  3. May 1, 2016
    4
    Where do I even start…I mean how in the hell do you screw up Pac-Man?

    Pac-Man 256 is inspired by the glitch that appeared in the original
    Where do I even start…I mean how in the hell do you screw up Pac-Man?

    Pac-Man 256 is inspired by the glitch that appeared in the original Pac-Man game. I **** you not, the basis of this game was a freakin’ glitch. Oh, but of course they had to chuck in plenty of pointless in-app purchases because if there is anything Pac-Man needed to cement his legacy it was to be made into a free to play, endless runner…inspired by a glitch.

    It’s simple enough…you control Pac-Man in a never-ending 3D maze while trying to avoid ghosts, eat dots & make it as far as you can to set a high score. All while the Pac-Man glitch is chasing you down.

    So this glitch…in the original Pac-Man game should you make it to map 256 the right side of the map turns into a mess of numbers & letters obscuring the dots making the level impossible to beat.

    This numbers/letters mess is what fills up the bottom of the screen as you play forcing you to constantly move Pac-Man onwards.

    To try & add more to a pretty basic game a number of new ghosts have been included & the further you make it the more hectic it gets. Thankfully power pellets make their return as does a number of new abilities that Pac-Man can use such as lasers.

    You get 6 credits to play with it & they are refilled over time. 1 credit, every 10 minutes or you can watch an advert to earn more quickly. You can pay 79p for an extra 12 or £3.99 for unlimited credits (please note that this is currently on sale & the normal price is £5.99). Now it is nice to see this option available as paying for unlimited credits will open up most of the game to you however that price is a joke.

    This is an endless runner where you set a high score, that is it. They are charging more than the cost of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, The Sims 3, Goat Simulator, Lego Jurassic World, Five Nights at Freddys, Hitman Go, Worms 3, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2…these are fully fleshed out games with not just hours of fun but days & even weeks of gameplay!

    …but it doesn’t end there.

    You have the option of playing on different looking mazes, basically different skins. There is a range from the classic 80’s look to one that takes on the form of an office. Each costs 79p or can be bought using in-game coins that collect as you play. To buy one of these skins you would need 2048 coins. I hope you’ve got a lot of time on your hands because you’re going to need it.

    You can speed up your coin count by purchasing (are you surprised?) a coin doubler which automatically gives you 2048 coins & doubles any collected afterwards. It only costs £3.99…

    Seriously!?

    The thing is while gameplay is brief, it is fun. Pac-Man 256 encourages you to try once more when it comes to beating your own high score & having a ‘free play’ option (although you get no power-ups in this mode) is a great idea. It’s not enough to make this game anything but another poorly thought out free to play game obsessed with trying to take as much money from its customer base before they work out they’ve been ripped off.
    Full Review »