Shadow Labyrinth

At a glance, Shadow Labyrinth may just seem like a startingly different take on Pac-Man for shock value, but it still follows the core tenets of the original game: mazes, creature consumption, player choice in navigation, and a power-up in the form of GAIA that effectively swaps the roles of prey and predator. Despite the gameplay systems needing some refinements, Shadow Labyrinth is a genuinely stellar action metroidvania that stands near the genre's best.

Shadow Labyrinth mixes old-school PAC-MAN with Metroidvania, and it works out surprisingly well. The story is mysterious, the exploration engaging, and the retro MAZE sections deliver a satisfying nostalgic kick.

Shadow Labyrinth is a dark metroidvania where Pac-Man eats your enemies and your nerves, but for some reason, you cannot stop playing.

Shadow Labyrinth earns the right to have its darker version of Pac-Man be taken seriously. Its solid exploration and combat mechanics make for an excellent game that gets further elevated by its fun integration and celebration of Namco history into its design. While at times the game can feel a little too bloated with ideas, it’s okay to overeat during a celebration.

Shadow Labyrinth is a very polished and well-balanced experience that is well worth the effort you will put into learning its mechanics.

Shadow Labyrinth is a bold and creative reimagining of PAC-Man, transforming the arcade classic into a Metroidvania full of personality. Set after the events of the Secret Level animated series, the story immerses the player in a sci-fi adventure with stunning visuals that blend high-tech and ancient cultures. The combat is also exciting, especially the boss fights, but it faces some control and balance issues. Still, the journey is worth it. A pleasant surprise and a brilliant new phase for PAC-Man.

Shadow Labyrinth is a fast-paced metroidvania that stands out for its atmospheric tone and the quirky presence of a yellow ball. Its most original features lie in the darker, sometimes unsettling narrative and the protagonist’s ability to transform into a futuristic Pac-Man, unlocking sections of the map designed to subvert typical genre expectations. While this creative twist adds freshness to a familiar formula, the game is held back by certain shortcomings: a lower-than-average difficulty, bosses that pose little challenge, a fairly predictable progression, level design that rarely surprises, and some stylistic inconsistencies. Despite these flaws, thanks to its fair launch price, it’s worth a try—especially for those interested in a more “accessible” metroidvania rather than a hardcore one.

Shadow Labyrinth gives birth to the Pactroidvania genre, giving a level structure as intricate as the name suggests, a deeper plot than anyone could have predicted and myriads of references. It is a game that absolutely should not be taken lightly, intended for both new players and long-time fans.

Shadow Labyrinth is a tremendously interesting reimagining of Pac-Man, adapting its mythology and gameplay to the standards of a fun and addictive metroidvania.

Shadow Labyrinth is one of the weirdest and most unexpected games that I've ever played. Despite everything, the formula just works and the sense of satisfaction from completing its brutally tough segments and exploring its variety-filled world is superb.

Shadow Labyrinth is a very interesting experiment from Bandai Namco. The game clearly has its flaws, but there's also a lot of potential here. If the developers have the opportunity to create a sequel, I'm sure they'll take everything that worked in this title and expand on it to deliver an experience that meets the goals the team surely had for this title.

Despite its clear structural issues and a level design that falls well short of other games in the genre — including some with smaller scope and budget — Shadow Labyrinth meets nearly all the expectations of a good Metroidvania. With bursts of comforting nostalgia reminiscent of the ghost-eating classic, rewarding exploration, and tight combat, the experience isn’t without its stumbles (some of which I’d consider amateurish), but it’s the kind of passion project we’d like to see more studios of Bandai Namco’s caliber investing in.

Shadow Labyrinth is a title that demonstrates potential in its mechanics, context, and story. However, everything is let down by the frustration of several different elements, such as the extremely large maps, the uneven combat, and more. It's a good game, and I hope Bandai Namco continues to experiment and polish this formula until they develop something truly special.

Shadow Labyrinth is a bold experiment that only partially succeeds: a compelling and demanding metroidvania, held back by frustrating design choices and an underwhelming narrative.

Shadow Labyrinth is a strange Metroidvania (in the best possible way) that sets itself apart through numerous references to Bandai Namco’s history, not just as easter eggs, but as core gameplay elements. It features a challenging yet fair difficulty curve, though its cryptic story starts off slow. While the environments can feel a bit repetitive, the game still manages to be engaging throughout.

Shadow Labyrinth is a celebration of the beloved Namco yellow ball brand, however it feels like a wasted concept with lacking visuals and a lacking story. This game has the potential to be a cool action game with interesting designs, but it needs more.

A bold metroidvania that places Pac-Man in a dark, narrative-driven world. Strong concept and solid fanservice, but held back by unpolished mechanics, uneven difficulty, and imprecise controls. Still, a unique and entertaining entry point for newcomers to the genre.