Bandai Namco’s bold new title, Shadow Labyrinth, takes Pac‑Man’s familiar yellow orb and reimagines it as “Puck” — a sinister companion in a dark, sci‑fi Metroidvania. Releasing on July 18, 2025, for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and both Nintendo Switch consoles, this game marks a striking departure from arcade nostalgia.
Story & Atmosphere
Players begin as an amnesiac “Swordsman No. 8,” awakened by Puck on a war-ravaged alien world, tasked with combating a dominant AI. The narrative unfolds gradually across environments with a haunting, post-apocalyptic aesthetic—crowded caverns, rusted machinery, and overrun biomes.
What Makes It Unique
- Genre Mash-Up: A 2D action platformer with Metroidvania-style exploration, demanding combat, and intense boss fights.
- Darker Tone: Creative recontextualization of Pac‑Man as Puck, navigating gruesome environments and devouring foes in a cosmic horror style.
- Lore Integration: Ties to classic Namco arcade IPs — Bosconian, Splatterhouse, Dig Dug — woven into level design and enemy concepts.
- Multiple Modes: Switch between controlling Swordsman No. 8, Puck, or a mecha form called Gaia to solve puzzles, combat, and classic maze challenges.
Gameplay Breakdown
| Mode/Form | Abilities | Purpose |
| Swordsman No. 8 | Sword attacks, parries, dodges, upgradeable perks | Exploration, combat with finesse |
| Puck | Glide on walls, consume dots, crawl on rails | Maze traversal, Pac‑Man homage segments |
| Gaia (Mecha) | Heavy attacks, enemy consumption to power up | Confront bosses, break paths |
This structure creates a dynamic gameplay loop: traverse, fight, unlock, and return with new abilities — hallmarks of the genre.
Nod to Pac‑Man Fans
- Puck’s name references Pac‑Man’s original title, Puck‑Man.
- Classic maze sections mimic Pac‑Man Championship Edition gameplay with dots, ghosts, speed boosts, and jump mechanics.
- Easter eggs abound — audiovisual nods to Namco’s arcade history embedded in environments and enemy design.
These throwbacks serve fans who appreciate both old-school charm and fresh twists.
Early Impressions & Reception
The early response to Shadow Labyrinth has been both intrigued and impressed. Critics are acknowledging Bandai Namco’s boldness in transforming a light-hearted arcade icon into something much darker and more intricate. The Financial Times described the game as a “dramatic transformation” of the Pac-Man legacy, applauding it for being more than a gimmick and instead rooted in tight, meaningful gameplay.
Game Informer expressed optimism that this reimagined approach could serve as a worthy tribute to Pac-Man’s enduring appeal, especially for players who enjoy challenging, lore-rich experiences.
CGMagazine praised the dual-character mechanic and layered gameplay loop, highlighting how switching between Swordsman No. 8, Puck, and the mecha Gaia form adds both strategic depth and visual variety. Their preview emphasized the game’s smart combat design, as well as its success in weaving in Namco’s arcade heritage without relying too heavily on nostalgia.
Meanwhile, GameSpot noted that Shadow Labyrinth earns its place among modern Metroidvanias by embedding Namco’s legacy into compelling exploration and combat systems, rather than simply referencing the past.
Overall, early reactions suggest that Shadow Labyrinth is more than just a retro rebranding—it’s shaping up to be a thoughtful and skillful evolution of a gaming legend.
What to Watch Out For
- Difficulty spike: The combat and platforming can be punishing — expect a steep learning curve .
- Aesthetic familiarity: Some reviewers point out the post-apocalyptic visuals risk blending into genre clichés.
- Subtitle-heavy narration: Story unfolds through world design more than explicit dialogue or voice acting, which might feel sparse to some.
Final Verdict
Shadow Labyrinth stands out as a daring and imaginative reimagining of Pac-Man, shedding its cheerful roots in favor of a darker, more atmospheric journey. Rather than relying on nostalgia alone, Bandai Namco has built a full-fledged Metroidvania that embraces exploration, challenging combat, and narrative depth. The combination of multi-form gameplay—allowing players to switch between a swordsman, a haunting companion, and a mech—adds variety and strategic choice.
Fans of the genre will find the level design tightly structured and the mechanics finely tuned, while long-time Pac-Man fans will appreciate the subtle callbacks and clever integration of classic Namco elements.
Although it may not appeal to every casual gamer due to its difficulty curve and somber tone, those who enjoy deep, lore-rich side-scrolling adventures are likely to be captivated. Shadow Labyrinth proves that even the most iconic game characters can evolve—and sometimes, the result is hauntingly brilliant.
