Chomp down on a dark new adventure
By Paul Hunter
Pac-Man turning 45 wasn’t on my radar for 2025, but Bandai Namco clearly has been planning something special to mark the milestone. Enter Shadow Labyrinth, a dark, sci-fi action-platformer developed in-house at Bandai Namco Studios. It’s a sharp left turn from what you might expect from the yellow icon, placing you in a hostile world far removed from bright mazes and pixelated cherries. But the surprise isn’t just the concept—it’s how well it works.
This isn’t another arcade remix or novelty mode tacked onto a familiar formula. It’s a full-scale side-scroller that drops the familiar charm and leans into atmospheric design, steady challenge, and a layered world that stretches well beyond its opening moments. From the first moments, it sets a tone that feels deliberate, confident, and oddly personal.
The strangest part? You’re not even Pac-Man—at least not directly. But his presence is everywhere, reshaped and reimagined as something you haven’t quite seen before. The result is a game that isn’t trying to compete with its source—it’s doing its own thing. That alone caught my attention.
So, does this strange off-world adventure deliver something worth chewing on, or should you let this one pass by the power pellet? Let’s find out!
Shadow Labyrinth starts with a direct hook. A boy is suddenly transported from his game console into an unfamiliar world, where he assumes the identity of Swordsman No. 8. His arrival is swift, his role unclear. He’s given little time to adjust before meeting PUCK, a small yellow guide with a questionable agenda.
The opening section works as a tutorial, but it also sets the tone. This is a strange place with few straight answers. PUCK offers direction but isn’t particularly warm. His connection to the planet is obvious, though deliberately obscured. You follow him not because you trust him, but because you don’t have any other choice.
Story development happens between moments of action. Conversations with NPCs offer cryptic insights into the world’s history and PUCK’s unknown past. The references to other Bandai Namco franchises are handled subtly. If you catch them, great—they add texture. If you don’t, the story still works on its own.
You’ll also encounter the G-Hosts—silent enemies styled after the original Pac-Man ghosts. They appear in maze-like flashback sections that offer quick detours from the main plot. These encounters hint at memories or corrupted files but leave interpretation up to you.
The tone stays grounded throughout. There’s tension in your partnership with PUCK, and the game smartly avoids spelling out too much. Every discovery feels earned. Even though the protagonist barely speaks, his dynamic with PUCK carries the story forward.
The core mechanics in Shadow Labyrinth are pretty lean—light and heavy attacks, a dodge roll, block, and a few special actions depending on gear. There’s nothing flashy about it, but that’s sort of the point. The game’s challenge comes from how it uses these tools rather than piling on systems. You’re often pushed into tight spaces with enemies that punish sloppy play. Reflexes help, but pattern recognition matters more.
Enemy placement and encounter pacing are deliberate. One hallway had me trapped between a huge mech on one side and a turret on the other. Dodging didn’t help much—the space was too narrow. I had to block and wait for a gap. After dying twice, it clicked. That section changed how I approached most fights after.
PUCK, your companion and voice in your ear, offers tips during combat and exploration. Sometimes he points out hazards, sometimes he just makes a comment. He’s not annoying, but he’s always there. His presence helps sell the idea that this isn’t a solo journey, even when it mostly is.
Combat alternates with short platforming and chase sequences. The G-Host segments don’t involve fighting—you’re just running from corrupted enemies through glitchy mazes. It’s a nice change of pace that doesn’t feel like filler. These sections are quick, but stressful in a good way.
The game doesn’t make you feel powerful. You can’t tank damage or spam heals. Most encounters force you to think a few steps ahead. Timing your dodges costs stamina, and there’s usually only small windows to strike back.
Shadow Labyrinth keeps things tight. It’s not trying to reinvent anything—it just wants you to pay attention, learn patterns and get better.
Shadow Labyrinth has a focused visual design. It leans into a muted colour palette and heavy shadows. Environments are dense but readable. Lighting plays a major role. Most areas feel dim, with light used to guide, highlight, or threaten. The art direction builds atmosphere through contrast and structure.
There’s a consistent sense of place. Levels are built with a clear identity, and transitions between areas feel smooth without relying on flashy effects. One section set in a broken-down tech facility used subtle environmental shifts like flickering lights, humming wires, and shifting architecture to give the space its own rhythm.
Animations are clean. Movement and combat have a mechanical edge, which matches the tone of the world. The sword swings, blocks, and dodges are readable and carry weight. That precision helps gameplay clarity, especially when under pressure. Enemy designs follow the same logic with sharp, clean silhouettes that stand out in the darkness.
Audio design is restrained but deliberate. The soundtrack rarely takes centre stage. Instead, ambient tones dominate—low pulses, static bursts, and distorted echoes. Occasionally, melody creeps in to support a scene or chase but always fades before overstaying.
PUCK’s voice stands out. It’s flat and cold, bordering on synthetic. That tone fits his role. He’s not there for comic relief. He’s functional, with moments of dry sarcasm.
Overall, the presentation avoids excess. It doesn’t chase cinematic spectacle. It chooses mood and minimalism instead. That restraint helps it feel distinct from other 2.5D action games.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Developer: Bandai Namco
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Genre: Action Adventure, Metroidvania
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Pac-Man turning 45 wasn’t on my radar for 2025, but Bandai Namco clearly has been planning something special to mark the milestone. Enter Shadow Labyrinth, a dark, sci-fi action-platformer developed in-house at Bandai Namco Studios. It’s a sharp left turn from what you might expect from the yellow icon, placing you in a hostile world far removed from bright mazes and pixelated cherries. But the surprise isn’t just the concept—it’s how well it works.
This isn’t another arcade remix or novelty mode tacked onto a familiar formula. It’s a full-scale side-scroller that drops the familiar charm and leans into atmospheric design, steady challenge, and a layered world that stretches well beyond its opening moments. From the first moments, it sets a tone that feels deliberate, confident, and oddly personal.
The strangest part? You’re not even Pac-Man—at least not directly. But his presence is everywhere, reshaped and reimagined as something you haven’t quite seen before. The result is a game that isn’t trying to compete with its source—it’s doing its own thing. That alone caught my attention.
So, does this strange off-world adventure deliver something worth chewing on, or should you let this one pass by the power pellet? Let’s find out!
Shadow Labyrinth starts with a direct hook. A boy is suddenly transported from his game console into an unfamiliar world, where he assumes the identity of Swordsman No. 8. His arrival is swift, his role unclear. He’s given little time to adjust before meeting PUCK, a small yellow guide with a questionable agenda.
The opening section works as a tutorial, but it also sets the tone. This is a strange place with few straight answers. PUCK offers direction but isn’t particularly warm. His connection to the planet is obvious, though deliberately obscured. You follow him not because you trust him, but because you don’t have any other choice.
Story development happens between moments of action. Conversations with NPCs offer cryptic insights into the world’s history and PUCK’s unknown past. The references to other Bandai Namco franchises are handled subtly. If you catch them, great—they add texture. If you don’t, the story still works on its own.
You’ll also encounter the G-Hosts—silent enemies styled after the original Pac-Man ghosts. They appear in maze-like flashback sections that offer quick detours from the main plot. These encounters hint at memories or corrupted files but leave interpretation up to you.
The tone stays grounded throughout. There’s tension in your partnership with PUCK, and the game smartly avoids spelling out too much. Every discovery feels earned. Even though the protagonist barely speaks, his dynamic with PUCK carries the story forward.
The core mechanics in Shadow Labyrinth are pretty lean—light and heavy attacks, a dodge roll, block, and a few special actions depending on gear. There’s nothing flashy about it, but that’s sort of the point. The game’s challenge comes from how it uses these tools rather than piling on systems. You’re often pushed into tight spaces with enemies that punish sloppy play. Reflexes help, but pattern recognition matters more.
Enemy placement and encounter pacing are deliberate. One hallway had me trapped between a huge mech on one side and a turret on the other. Dodging didn’t help much—the space was too narrow. I had to block and wait for a gap. After dying twice, it clicked. That section changed how I approached most fights after.
PUCK, your companion and voice in your ear, offers tips during combat and exploration. Sometimes he points out hazards, sometimes he just makes a comment. He’s not annoying, but he’s always there. His presence helps sell the idea that this isn’t a solo journey, even when it mostly is.
Combat alternates with short platforming and chase sequences. The G-Host segments don’t involve fighting—you’re just running from corrupted enemies through glitchy mazes. It’s a nice change of pace that doesn’t feel like filler. These sections are quick, but stressful in a good way.
The game doesn’t make you feel powerful. You can’t tank damage or spam heals. Most encounters force you to think a few steps ahead. Timing your dodges costs stamina, and there’s usually only small windows to strike back.
Shadow Labyrinth keeps things tight. It’s not trying to reinvent anything—it just wants you to pay attention, learn patterns and get better.
Shadow Labyrinth has a focused visual design. It leans into a muted colour palette and heavy shadows. Environments are dense but readable. Lighting plays a major role. Most areas feel dim, with light used to guide, highlight, or threaten. The art direction builds atmosphere through contrast and structure.
There’s a consistent sense of place. Levels are built with a clear identity, and transitions between areas feel smooth without relying on flashy effects. One section set in a broken-down tech facility used subtle environmental shifts like flickering lights, humming wires, and shifting architecture to give the space its own rhythm.
Animations are clean. Movement and combat have a mechanical edge, which matches the tone of the world. The sword swings, blocks, and dodges are readable and carry weight. That precision helps gameplay clarity, especially when under pressure. Enemy designs follow the same logic with sharp, clean silhouettes that stand out in the darkness.
Audio design is restrained but deliberate. The soundtrack rarely takes centre stage. Instead, ambient tones dominate—low pulses, static bursts, and distorted echoes. Occasionally, melody creeps in to support a scene or chase but always fades before overstaying.
PUCK’s voice stands out. It’s flat and cold, bordering on synthetic. That tone fits his role. He’s not there for comic relief. He’s functional, with moments of dry sarcasm.
Overall, the presentation avoids excess. It doesn’t chase cinematic spectacle. It chooses mood and minimalism instead. That restraint helps it feel distinct from other 2.5D action games.
The Verdict
Shadow Labyrinth takes its time, and expects you to do the same. It leans into careful movement, tight mechanics, and smart level design that rewards paying attention. The look stays clean and moody throughout, never flashy but always deliberate. Sound design keeps things low-key, letting you focus on your next swing or dodge instead of blasting your ears with suspense. If you like your action thoughtful and your pacing steady, this one’s in your wheelhouse.Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Shadow Labyrinth details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PCDeveloper: Bandai Namco
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Genre: Action Adventure, Metroidvania
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.