Shadow Labyrinth is a Dark Side-Scroller With Pac-Man, Out in 2025

Shadow Labyrinth is a Dark Side-Scroller With Pac-Man, Out in 2025

As a long-time enthusiast of retro gaming and an ardent fan of Pac-Man since my childhood days at the local arcade, I must admit, Bandai Namco has me intrigued with their latest revelation, Shadow Labyrinth. The teaser certainly took me by surprise, with its dark Metroidvania aesthetic that seems to have been transplanted straight from a Metroid game.

Bandai Namco hinted at a surprise tied to Pac-Man for The Game Awards, which they unveiled during the pre-show. At first glance, it appears to be a Metroidvania game with side-scrolling elements, featuring combat and platforming. However, there’s also a shadowy companion resembling Pac-Man that accompanies the player throughout the game. Take a look at Shadow Labyrinth in the video below.

It appears that the game Shadow Labyrinth shares similarities with the Pac-Man short from the Secret Level anthology series, which may not have seemed immediately apparent. This connection helps explain why the latter chose a darker, body horror theme for the beloved arcade game, as you play as Swordsman No. 8 and work with PUCK, a mysterious, malevolent floating entity.

In the typical scenario, there’s consumption of pellets, but these entities have the ability to devour not just pellets, but even their adversaries such as bosses. As a result, they undergo a terrifying transformation.

We’re right there with you, feeling just as puzzled, but let’s not forget that Bandai Namco is venturing into uncharted territory with Shadow Labyrinth. This exciting new game will be available in 2025 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

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2024-12-13 04:10