Shadow Labyrinth | REVIEW | Nintendo Switch 2

''Creepy Pasta Edition''

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Developed: Bandai Namco Entertainment

Published: Bandai Namco Entertainment

Genre: Platform/Adventure

Release Date: July 17th, 2025

Platforms: PS5/PC/Xbox Family/NSW/NSW2

*REVIEW COPY PROVIDED TO ME BY BANDAI NAMCO

-BANDAI NAMCO CREATOR-

Shadow Labyrinth is the latest take on the long running Pac-Man franchise and it is developed and published by Bandai Namco. With our round yellow friend celebrating 45 years as a gaming icon, Bandai decided that now is time to attempt a complete reimagining of him for the franchise with a brand new concept for the series. However, was this the right route to go in for his anniversary? or should they have just kept the motto of ''if it aint broke, dont fix it'' and make a standard Pac-Man game instead?. Only one way to find out, so lets chomp!

''NOW I AM BECOME DEATH''

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GAMEPLAY:

A lot has been done in the Pac-Man franchise in the last 40 odd years, some of these things being really good like the original Pac-Man, Mrs. Pac-Man, Pac-Man World.. and then other games like Pac-Man 99, Pac-Man 256 and Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures being some of the worst misses the franchise has ever seen, especially Pac-Man 2. Well no, that's not exactly true, while the game is fundamentally different than any other Pac-Man game before it with its point and click gameplay that lets you interact and tell Pac-Man where to go, it does have its bright moments that allow you to get Pac-Man into some funny situations and cause him physical harm, which his smug self deserves in that game....If you've played it, you know EXACTLY what I mean. But that was then and this is now and now we move onto once again Bandai wanting to do something different with the franchise, the same way they did Pac-Man 2 many years ago, but this time by changing the formula completely, making it completely different than what you typically would expect from a Pac-Man game, and have now made it a side scrolling journey who's atmosphere is darker and more Hollow Knight like feeling to it - taking many of its ideas from that franchise itself with hot spring rejuvenation, art style that looks almost had crafted rather than typical art style that you normally see in genres like this and even various merchants to be found as you journey through multiple different biomes, all with their own unique settings. While on paper, you may be thinking ''well then its just a standard run of the mill Metrodvania then'' and to that I say uhh yes and no. On one hand it does indeed share similarities to past tried and true Metroidvanias, no question, like your typical interconnected areas, room to room chaos and teleportation traveling, it mixes up even that formula too by making it both a Metroidvania that allows for tiny bites of exploration, but keeping it straight forward enough to where you really cant get lost that much. Thank the Pac-Gods for that because sometimes Metroidvanias get daunting for my wee brain and I get lost quicker than Jack in The Shining in a snow maze - however its not much of a big deal here because it puts you on a somewhat linear path that takes you from point A to point B more often than not that streamlines the process quite a bit.

Having a more linear feel I think both offers a positive for the game overall that makes you focus more on the characters themselves over the environment and the feeling of getting lost. Granted the environments in this title are great and the art style really makes each one stand out, but letting you focus more on the characters Swordsman No. 8 alongside this version of Pac-Man called Puck, which for those in the know, was Pac-Man's original name, similar to how Mario was once named Jumpman. There won't be a ton of branching paths that dive to the deep dark depths of the map this go around, but there will be a focus on Puck that drives forward the overall narrative instead and pushes aside the cuteness Pac-Man is usually known for and replaces it with a more volatile Pac-Man who longs more for the taste of filthy man flesh above color coated pills that makes him hallucinate ghosts. Ok, maybe not EXACTLY that, but this version of Pac-Man, Puck, isnt your family friendly good guy that you are used to and for the genre this game is, sure, it works, but still weird though when having to think of this game in the vein of ''so this is basically Pac-Man: Creepy Pasta edition''. I call it a creepy pasta version for a reason because Puck himself ends up transforming into a beast version of himself and eats his enemies, yes that right, he literally eats his enemies like a little round cannibal. Hannibal Lecter would be very proud. Attacking with a three hit combination attack can be very satisfying and feels fluid and responsive, but early on can feel a little bit tedious since at the start of this weird little journey, your attack skillset is bare basics, that is until, like most games, you unlock new abilities that allow you to hit harder, better dodging ability on the ground and in the air, being able to parry, all thanks to our hungry friend Puck, who is once again, our Creepy Pasta horror version of Kirby. On the surface, it seems like all of what you knew and loved about Pac-Man in general is erased, so for me that's a little bit a bummer, but there are call backs to the core of the franchise by having blue surfaces to run across and make your way through, all while listing to sound effects from the good ol days of the Pac-Man series while you eat up any and all currency that you can obtain. Its small, yes, but strangely fits in the realm of what is going on around you at the same time, unlike Waynes World on NES that tried to make a game on the movie with only traits of ''tv show, music, drums and catch phrases'' were able to be used and what ensued afterwards was a completely mess of a game that had nothing but drum and music backgrounds, laser weapons and a karate kick from Wayne that works as his attack on everything BUT ground enemies, in a game filled with dozens of ground enemies. Like what the heck, if you're going to nostalgia bait, at least due in a Shadow Labyrinth does here, cause sheesh. Going to make me go all Angry Video Game Nerd up in here at this point and make me want to start reviewing crappy games Ive encountered over the years.

Fighting and exploring your way through mazes, finding stone sculptures, get call backs to ghost chasing antics that will be familiar to any long time fan, alongside a decent skillset you acquire as you eat more foes, they're all great, albeit tedious for long periods, however where the real chaos comes in is when you get to use a GAIA mech transformation that allows you and Puck to harness your inner Gundam and gain about 30 seconds of invincibility that works on both regular enemies during the main levels and even can be used on major boss fights. Since it has such as short time period to be used and takes a lot of energy to build, I'd highly suggest saving it until the exact moment where you have no other choice to use it, like use it or die situations, otherwise, especially in the boss battles, you're going to regret it, because of these fights get down right stupid with their mechanics to the point where you just say ''screw it'' and pop that Pac-Man power pill and go full mech and just utterly destroy everything in your way for 30 seconds. Its definitely key to giving you a sound advantage, should you need it and use it strategically and accordingly.

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''IM GOING TO MECH YOU UP''

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OVERALL:

At the end of the day, Shadow Labyrinth does end up being a fun time when your journey with the game is through and it definitely offers up a lot of positives with the great controls, craft environments, concept and overall design, its all great, however, while great, it just feels...same ol same ol, like a run of the mill type of game of this genre. Sure its a different take on Pac-Man, but a lot of other games have done the same thing in the past, before it, and even a lot better at times. It feels a little underhanded and leaves much to be desired as combat can get tedious and other than the GAIA mech, it doesnt do too much to set it apart from other Metroidvanias and really give itself its own identity, which is a shame. Its definitely a must play at some point if you're a metroidvania fan, but not something I feel that needs to be played right this minute if you're afraid on missing out, its a title that does several things great, but gets lost in the shuffle at the same time for not doing enough to fully embrace this new take on Pac-Man and that is disappointing at the end of the day. So with all that having been said, my verdict is clear, GameNChick says WAIT

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