Review: Shadow Labyrinth (PS5) – Pac-Man Meets Metroid in Strange Offshoot That Almost Works

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It’s not too surprising that Pac-Man feels comfortable navigating intricate mazes filled with threats, given his long history of doing so. However, Shadow Labyrinth significantly departs from the traditional format, transporting Bandai Namco’s iconic character into a futuristic, sci-fi environment that might not immediately strike viewers as connected to the classic arcade hero.

This game is a side-scrolling Metroidvania that closely adheres to its design. You journey through an intricate maze-like map filled with multiple routes, many of which remain inaccessible until you acquire new skills. At first, the battles seem straightforward, but as you level up and gain additional abilities, they become increasingly complex.

You may find this layout quite recognizable, as it’s skillfully implemented in the game. The map within the game sprawls expansively, boasting a myriad of hidden corners and areas that are tantalizingly out of reach, hinting at their existence.

Just like numerous Metroidvania games, Shadow Labyrinth gradually unfolds its charm over time. It isn’t until you begin unveiling fresh abilities, like the air dash, parry, and grappling hook, that the game truly captivates, but this engaging point usually sets in after several hours.

At the outset, the narrative shares a sparse quality. In this game, you take on the role of Swordsman Number 8, who was materialized by Puck, a hovering yellow entity. The enigma surrounding your mission and the peculiar events unfolding on the alien world you traverse form the crux of the mystery.

As you advance, it becomes clear that things are gradually unveiled, however, I must admit, the storyline isn’t exceptionally captivating. Regrettably, it’s burdened with numerous nonsensical place and character labels that you may find hard to recall.

To progress effectively, both the game mechanics and aesthetics are crucial. While many elements align with typical Metroidvania standards, distinctive Pac-Man influences and novel features provide an added boost to the overall experience.

In some specific places, you’ll find rail systems that, once engaged, enable you to move around like Pac-Man, just as you would expect. This gives you access to fresh locations and adds a bit of diversity to the way you travel.

In addition, after being powered up, you won’t just be transforming once; you’ll have the ability to change into a mechanical form. This temporary transformation comes in handy for swiftly eliminating groups of enemies or delivering a heavy hit against bosses.

You power up your mechanical unit by defeating opponents, which in turn provides you with diverse resources essential for purchasing or crafting specific items and enhancements.

Whenever you vanquish the boss, Puck morphs into a terrifying mix of black and red, resembling Pac-Man, to consume them. This action bestows upon you a fresh skill.

These unique aspects help Shadow Labyrinth stand out from the crowd, since, as previously noted, it essentially follows the typical formula of a Metroidvania-style action platformer.

As I traverse this captivating world, the diverse landscapes unfold before me: stark industrial complexes, sprawling deserts, towering trees, and beyond. In certain spots, the artistry truly shines, but there are moments where the visuals appear blurred, giving an overall impression of affordability.

In the same vein, even adversaries have their intriguing opponents and leaders for you to face (and dedicated Square Enix enthusiasts might catch a few obscure nods scattered throughout), yet the animation quality and certain peculiar design choices didn’t quite ignite our enthusiasm.

As you progress further in the game, you’ll unlock levels resembling Pac-Man more distinctly. These retro-style sections serve as entertaining diversions from the familiar pattern, making them some of the most enjoyable aspects of Shadow Labyrinth.

These stages have a quick, enjoyable tempo that unfortunately makes the overall game seem overly bulky and heavy.

The gameplay isn’t quick; you’ll likely spend around ten hours or so, which is typical for a Metroidvania-style game, but Shadow Labyrinth doesn’t quite possess the caliber required to make such extended gameplay engaging.

The platforming and fighting mechanics initially seem somewhat vague. While they’re not poorly done, they could use some refinement. However, once you acquire certain abilities and enhancements later on, these mechanics significantly improve, although they may never reach the level of precision you might expect.

We share your dislike for the checkpoint system; it seems there are only a handful of major save points, which are spread quite far apart. This can make revisiting earlier locations feel tedious since you might need to traverse long distances to access new items or areas. Unfortunately, these areas may not always offer significant rewards, making the journey less enjoyable.

This game poses a challenging recommendation. While it has some enjoyable aspects, these are often enveloped by an average Metroidvania experience. Occasionally, its formula clicks and offers a fresh, entertaining experience, but this happens mostly when it leans more towards Pac-Man and less like the game itself.

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2025-07-17 19:06