This is certainly an unexpected direction for the Pac-Man franchise! Bandai Namco appears to be taking quite a bold approach with “Shadow Labyrinth,” transforming the classic arcade character into something almost unrecognizable within a dark sci-fi Metroidvania setting.
The contrast between the cheerful yellow circle we’ve known for decades and this gritty reimagining is striking. It sounds like they’re keeping some core Pac-Man elements (the pellet-eating mechanic, the yellow companion named “Puck”), but wrapping them in a completely different aesthetic and gameplay style.

The article makes some good comparisons to other attempted “edgy” reboots like Bomberman Act Zero, which didn’t fare well with critics or fans. However, Bandai Namco has had success with experimental Pac-Man titles before, particularly with Pac-Man Championship Edition, which respected the original while innovating on its formula.
Interestingly, this game connects to Amazon’s Secret Level anthology episode, where they were apparently encouraged to make audiences “wonder what the fuck they did with Pac-Man.” That, suggests they’re intentionally pushing boundaries with this reinterpretation.

Pac-Man Shadow Labyrinth Review

A Bold Experiment That Only Half-Succeeds

Genre: Metroidvania / Action-Adventure
Developer: Bandai Namco
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Playtime: 12-15 hours

What Is Pac-Man Shadow Labyrinth?

Pac-Man Shadow Labyrinth represents Bandai Namco’s most dramatic reimagining of its iconic character to date. Abandoning the traditional maze-chase formula entirely, Shadow Labyrinth transforms Pac-Man into a dark sci-fi Metroidvania where players control “Swordsman No. 8” – a mysterious warrior accompanied by a spherical yellow companion named Puck (this game’s version of Pac-Man).

Story and Setting

Shadow Labyrinth takes place in a dystopian world where an ancient maze-like structure has been discovered beneath the surface of a colonized planet. As Swordsman No. 8, you’re part of an exploration team sent to investigate, only to become trapped inside when things go catastrophically wrong. Your only hope for survival is to team up with Puck, a sentient energy being that feeds on the strange pellets and energies within the labyrinth.

The story aims for a tone of cosmic horror and mystery, gradually revealing the true nature of the labyrinth and how it connects to other Bandai Namco properties. While ambitious, the narrative often feels at odds with the Pac-Man legacy, creating a dissonance that’s hard to reconcile. Characters speak in ponderous monologues about darkness and consumption that feel excessively serious for a franchise whose mascot has traditionally been an adorable yellow circle.

Gameplay

Shadow Labyrinth’s core gameplay loop involves exploring interconnected areas of the labyrinth, gaining new abilities, and unlocking previously inaccessible regions – standard metroidvania fare. What sets it apart is the relationship between Swordsman No. 8 and Puck:

• Swordsman Combat: Armed with an energy blade, you’ll engage in fairly standard hack-and-slash combat with dodge mechanics and combo systems.
• Puck Abilities: Puck floats alongside you, consuming pellets and enemies. As Puck eats, he charges up special abilities that can be unleashed, including a Power Pellet mode that temporarily makes enemies vulnerable.
• Gaia Mech Sections: Later in the game, you gain access to the Gaia mech for specific sequences, offering a significant power boost and new traversal options.

The airdashing mechanic (called “Waka-Dash” in a nod to the original game’s sound effects) is surprisingly enjoyable, allowing for fluid movement across the labyrinth. Unfortunately, the overall gameplay feels derivative of better Metroidvania games, borrowing heavily from Hollow Knight and Metroid Dread without quite matching their polish or ingenious level design.

Visual and Audio Design

Visually, Shadow Labyrinth is impressive, with detailed environments that range from decaying technological facilities to bizarre organic structures. The lighting effects particularly stand out, with Puck’s yellow glow often providing the only illumination in darker areas.

The audio design deserves special mention for its clever incorporation of classic Pac-Man sounds into an otherwise atmospheric, synth-heavy soundtrack. The iconic “waka-waka” appears as a subtle audio cue, and enemy alert states trigger variations of the classic ghost chase music.

What Works

• Visual Design: The environments are genuinely impressive and atmospheric.
• Audio Integration: The way classic Pac-Man sounds are woven into the modern soundtrack is genuinely clever.
• Waka-Dash System: The movement mechanics feel fluid and satisfying.
• Boss Encounters: Several standout boss battles, particularly one against a monstrous version of Clyde (one of the original ghosts), are genuinely memorable.

What Doesn’t

• Identity Crisis: The game never quite justifies why it needed to be a Pac-Man title, often feeling like an unrelated game with Pac-Man elements grafted on.
• Narrative Pacing: The story drags considerably in the middle sections, with excessive backtracking.
• Combat Depth: While functional, the combat system lacks the depth to remain engaging throughout the entire adventure.
• Puzzle Design: Many puzzles feel like arbitrary roadblocks rather than meaningful challenges.

Nostalgia Factor

For longtime Pac-Man fans, Shadow Labyrinth offers numerous references and Easter eggs. Each area contains collectible arcade cabinets that unlock playable versions of classic Bandai Namco games, including the original Pac-Man, Galaga, and Dig Dug. These serve as welcome palate cleansers from the main campaign.

The most successful nostalgic elements come in the form of reimagined ghosts as boss encounters, each corrupted by the labyrinth into monstrous forms while retaining recognizable characteristics of Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde.

Conclusion

Pac-Man Shadow Labyrinth is a bold experiment that only partially succeeds. While it offers solid Metroidvania gameplay and impressive presentation, it fails to make a convincing case for why this story needed the Pac-Man license. The disconnect between the lighthearted source material and the ponderous, dark narrative creates a dissonance that’s never entirely resolved.

Fans of metroidvanias will find an adequate, if somewhat derivative, example of the genre, while Pac-Man purists might feel this strays too far from what makes the character special. Shadow Labyrinth is worth experiencing for its more inspired moments, but it joins the ranks of franchise reinventions that, while ambitious, lose sight of what made the original beloved in the first place.

Rating: 7/10 – An ambitious but uneven reimagining that never fully justifies its dramatic departure from the franchise’s roots.

Maxthon

Maxthon has set out on an ambitious journey aimed at significantly bolstering the security of web applications, fueled by a resolute commitment to safeguarding users and their confidential data. At the heart of this initiative lies a collection of sophisticated encryption protocols, which act as a robust barrier for the information exchanged between individuals and various online services. Every interaction—be it the sharing of passwords or personal information—is protected within these encrypted channels, effectively preventing unauthorised access attempts from intruders.

This meticulous emphasis on encryption marks merely the initial phase of Maxthon’s extensive security framework. Acknowledging that cyber threats are constantly evolving, Maxthon adopts a forward-thinking approach to user protection. The browser is engineered to adapt to emerging challenges, incorporating regular updates that promptly address any vulnerabilities that may surface. Users are strongly encouraged to activate automatic updates as part of their cybersecurity regimen, ensuring they can seamlessly take advantage of the latest fixes without any hassle.

In today’s rapidly changing digital environment, Maxthon’s unwavering commitment to ongoing security enhancement signifies not only its responsibility toward users but also its firm dedication to nurturing trust in online engagements. With each new update rolled out, users can navigate the web with peace of mind, assured that their information is continuously safeguarded against ever-emerging threats lurking in cyberspace.