At the Nintendo Direct event in March 2025, Bandai Namco revealed a fresh trailer for Shadow Labyrinth, a game that reimagines the vibrant and playful Pac-Man series by flipping it upside down to create a dark, futuristic, side-scrolling ‘Metroidvania’ title with an action focus.
The trailer provides a glimpse into the gameplay of Shadow Labyrinth, hints at its narrative and characters, and reveals that it will be launched on July 17, 2025, for home consoles, and on July 18, 2025, for PC systems.
In the game titled Shadow Labyrinth, you assume the role of an enigmatic swordsman identified as Number 8. You find yourself in an eerie setting filled with antiquated artifacts and ferocious beasts who crave blood, awakening from unconsciousness.
In order to leave this world and discover your origins, it is crucial to follow instructions from a round, mechanical device called PUCK, which can be likened to the iconic character Pac-Man in this universe.
Assisted by PUCK, you can master navigating hazardous terrains securely, uncover hidden mysteries, and acquire abilities that boost your survival chances. These skills include devouring adversaries and morphing into a colossal robotic creature.
Initially, when I caught a glimpse of Shadow Labyrinth during the 2024 Game Awards, I must admit my doubts crept in. Historically, when a company decides to revamp a popular, lighthearted video game series with a grittier, darker version, it often falls flat and strays far from its original essence (with Bomberman ZERO being the most notable example).
Yet, Shadow Labyrinth appears to be dedicating considerable energy to their eccentric reinvention, all while preserving the distinctive symbolism associated with the Pac-Man brand.
In the course of play, you assume the role of Pac-Man, consuming power dots at specific instances, just as in the classic arcade version. The entire experience unfolds within a dimly lit maze, with your objective being to navigate and ultimately escape this intricate puzzle.
Moreover, what makes it even more appealing is the fact that the gameplay appears incredibly enjoyable, given its integration of traditional elements from the Metroidvania genre.
This encompasses an expansive universe to discover and unravel mysteries, an extensive collection of intriguing skills to master and experiment with, as well as grand challenges against formidable foes to overcome.
The power to morph into a cyborg beast sporting a Pac-Man torso capable of shooting lasers from its maw is undeniably intriguing, at the very least.
In case Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release is delayed, Shadow Labyrinth might serve as an excellent substitute for satisfying your Metroidvania appetite on both Xbox and PC, provided that it successfully pulls off its dark revamp of the classic game Pac-Man.
Regardless of the choice, we’ll need to be patient until Summer 2025 to learn about the official release date for this highly anticipated Xbox/PC title. The game is scheduled for launch on July 17, 2025, exclusively for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. If you prefer playing on a PC, the release will be a day later, on July 18, 2025, available through Steam.
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2025-03-27 22:40