Shadow Labyrinthmight draw the attention of those familiar with Amazon’sSecret LevelTV show, which features an episode that explores the grim, science-fiction origins of the belovedPac-Manuniverse. That’s because the game is meant to continue the narrative introduced in thatSecret Levelepisode, following its sober,self-serious take onPac-Manand his sword-swinging companion.
Game Rant recently went hands-on withShadow Labyrinth, digging into some of its combat, exploration, and platforming particulars. It’s a game that undoubtedly has its roots in the metroidvania subgenre, though developer Bandai Namco Studios has shied away from this label so far, describingShadow Labyrinthas a 2D action-platformer, which is arguably more accurate. Indeed, this game is a touch moreBlasphemousthanHollow Knight, ostensibly prioritizing combat and tense platforming gauntlets over thoughtful puzzle-solving or non-linear progression.
For what it’s worth, this straightforward recipe manages to produce a fairly enjoyable dish.Shadow Labyrinthis a fun hack-and-slashexperience with a few interesting ideas here and there, though the final product may need to demonstrate greater ingenuity to stand out against its contemporaries. Put another way,Shadow Labyrinthis thus far the definition of a serviceable game: it seems to check all the right boxes, but it’s not exactly surprising.
Shadow Labyrinth: Grimdark Pac-Man
Shadow Labyrinth Boasts Solid, but Not Incredible, Combat and Platforming
Two distinct chapters ofShadow Labyrinthwere accessible during the preview: an exploration-and-platforming-centric stretch about a third of the way through the campaign, and a much later boss battle. The platforming and environmental puzzle-solving are decent, but a bit dull, which may be attributed to the lack of satisfying movement controls forSwordsman No. 8, the game’s protagonist. He feels both slippery and stiff, and with no nuanced physics systems to provide a sense of weight or momentum, moving through the more straightforward environments can be a bit bland. The game’s platforming isn’t necessarily bad, but it feels held back at this stage—hopefully, other abilities or interesting level designs will deepen this side of the gameplay loop in the final product.
Shadow Labyrinth’s most unique platforming mechanic is bittersweet. Players can switch to Puck—the game’s name for Pac-Man—to grind on certain rails. These were the only times that Puck was playable during the preview, and they did a good job of conveying the smooth, sliding sensation ofcontrolling Pac-Manin the classic arcade game. The game’s platforming was at its tightest and most interesting during these challenges, as the inability to fully stop Puck at any given moment lent such gauntlets a sense of intensity.
Then there’s the combat, which took up the majority of the preview. This was a bit unexpected and slightly disappointing, as 2D sword-swinging, parrying, and crowd control don’t leverage thePac-ManIP’s strengths. When one thinks ofPac-Man, a very specific gaming experience comes to mind, and it would have been interesting to see whether Bandai Namco Studios attempted to translate this experience intoShadow Labyrinth’s combat, like it did with the aforementioned Puck platforming sections. Unfortunately, that’s not quite the case, as the game’s combat is pedestrian. It can be enjoyable, but it’s not particularly inventive.
The question remains howShadow Labyrinthwill distinguish itself once it achieves its final form. It has a pretty fantastic opportunity via thePac-Manlicense, but how it uses this opportunity could be what defines its legacy, as it’s otherwise a fairly boilerplate action-platformer. Barring the reveal of more engaging gameplay systems or a powerful, intriguing story (very little ofShadow Labyrinth’s narrativewas illuminated during the preview),Shadow Labyrinthmight still be worth a playthrough, but it’s unlikely to be very memorable.
Shadow Labyrinth
WHERE TO PLAY
Shadow Labyrinth is a 2D action platformer and a genre-twisting alternate take on the iconic PAC-MAN.As Swordsman No. 8, awoken by a floating yellow orb, PUCK, on a mysterious planet amidst relics of wars past, you are chosen to become the instrument of its will.To survive you will discover many secrets, consume your enemies, and grow from prey to the apex predator as you embrace your true purpose.
Shadow Labyrinthlaunches on June 01, 2025 for all platforms. Game Rant was provided a Steam code for this preview.
