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Shadow Labyrinth turns Pac-Man’s maze, appetite and pursuit into the foundations of a bleak 2D action-platformer—but its most inventive ideas share space with familiar Metroidvania stretches and a story that some reviewers found hard to engage with. It is a more interesting reimagining than a consistently compelling adventure.
What kind of Pac-Man game is Shadow Labyrinth?
Shadow Labyrinth is a single-player 2D action-platformer with Metroidvania exploration, not a conventional arcade Pac-Man game. Bandai Namco casts you as Swordsman No. 8, awakened by the enigmatic PUCK on a hostile planet. You explore, fight, solve environmental puzzles, gain abilities and weapons, consume enemies for resources, and eventually transform into the GAIA mech. The game launched digitally for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Bandai Namco’s game page describes the premise and current update information.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Shadow Labyrinth PS5 Standard Edition | $18.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Shadow Labyrinth PS5 Secret Edition | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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SHADOW LABYRINTH (PS5) | $35.18 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Shadow Labyrinth Collector's Edition (PS5) | $80.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Ravensburger Minecraft Labyrinth - A Strategic Maze Challenge Featuring Steve, Alex, Creepers,... | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The Pac-Man connection is built into the structure as well as the imagery. Producer Seigo Aizawa explained that the world map is designed as a giant maze, while Swordsman No. 8, Mini-PUCK and GAIA provide three modes of play. Consuming enemies supplies resources for acquiring and upgrading abilities, and G-HOSTs recast the familiar ghost idea as parasitic boss enemies. These are clear design translations, though their presence alone does not guarantee that the full adventure feels as distinctive as the concept.
Do the Pac-Man ideas make the gameplay feel fresh?
At its best, the game makes its inspirations playable rather than merely decorative. PC Gamer’s Abbie Stone, reviewing on an Asus ROG Ally on July 17, 2025, praised the inventive PUCK rail sequences and short Pac-Man-inspired maze levels. Those sections offer a sharper, more concentrated take on the source material than the larger adventure’s stretches of standard platforming and combat.
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- Includes Base Game
- Search the remnants of an age-old intergalactic conflict, started long before your arrival, and discover new powers and abilities
- Master the fluid combat and combine powerful skills to create a playstyle of your own
- Team up with PUCK, and dive deeper into the maze of a mysterious alien world
That contrast is central to the experience: the maze and consumption mechanics are memorable when they change how you move, pursue enemies or build your character. Elsewhere, the journey can feel more like a familiar Metroidvania wearing Pac-Man’s symbols. PC Gamer criticized long stretches of conventional play and a muted presentation, suggesting that the central conceit does not continually reshape the adventure.
GameSpot’s Richard Wakeling also found a fascinating premise, but his July 25, 2025 review judged the execution less successful. He described the narrative as opaque and the combat as repetitive and frustrating, while also criticizing checkpoint placement and exploration. He noted that the opening several hours are relatively linear before wider exploration opens up. That is one reviewer’s assessment, not a universal measure of every player’s experience.
Rank #2
- Includes: Base Game, Deluxe Content, Enamel Pin Set, Map/Poster, Stickers, & Booklet Case
- Search the remnants of an age-old intergalactic conflict, started long before your arrival, and discover new powers and abilities
- Master the fluid combat and combine powerful skills to create a playstyle of your own
- Team up with PUCK, and dive deeper into the maze of a mysterious alien world
How do the combat, exploration and story hold up?
Combat and checkpoints
Stone found the sword combat familiar but satisfying in impact. Wakeling, by contrast, found it repetitive and frustrating. Together, those assessments point to a system whose immediate hit feel may appeal more than its longer-term variety. Checkpoint spacing was a separate concern in GameSpot’s review: when a fight or route goes poorly, the distance back can make the frustration more pronounced.
Exploration and pacing
The early linear stretch may help establish the world before the map opens, but it also delays the freedom many players expect from a Metroidvania. Once exploration expands, guidance and the pace of upgrades matter: players need to understand where new abilities lead and why a detour is worth taking. GameSpot’s criticism of exploration signals that the game’s maze-like map does not automatically make navigation satisfying.
Rank #3
- Discover a World of Secrets - Search the remnants of an age-old intergalactic conflict, started long before your arrival, and discover new powers and abilities. Use them to traverse an alien world as you battle dangerous creatures and evolved monstrosities.
- Become the Apex Predator - Master the fluid combat and combine powerful skills to create a playstyle of your own. Use different playstyles to turn the tables on your enemies as you consume them and grow from prey to apex predator.
- Embrace Your True Purpose - Team up with PUCK, and dive deeper into the maze of a mysterious alien world. Find out the truth behind your presence in this world, what PUCK wants and why it chose you...
Tone and presentation
The game commits to bleak science-fiction seriousness rather than leaning into Pac-Man’s playful roots. Stone called the story’s technobabble self-serious and wrote: “While the game isn’t completely humor-free, the self-seriousness of the majority of it is as baffling as it is boring.” GameSpot likewise characterized the narrative as opaque. The mismatch between an instantly recognizable arcade inspiration and a solemn, lore-heavy presentation is a deliberate risk; whether it works will depend on how much you want the story to explain its world.
Does the post-launch update change the recommendation?
Yes, it changes the conditions under which to read the launch-era criticism, though it does not erase it. Bandai Namco’s official site reports that patch 1.1.0 is available across platforms and includes Explorer Mode, balance changes and improved Mini-PUCK controls. PC Gamer’s November 15, 2025 update report says Explorer Mode lowers combat and exploration difficulty, makes the character more durable and damaging, speeds energy recovery, increases save points and adjusts maze challenges. The report also notes improved mid-air control, a dedicated vertical-jump input and the ability to switch between Explorer and Veteran modes.
Rank #4
- Includes: Base Game, Deluxe Content, Enamel Pin Set, Map/Poster, Stickers, & Booklet Case
- Search the remnants of an age-old intergalactic conflict, started long before your arrival, and discover new powers and abilities
- Master the fluid combat and combine powerful skills to create a playstyle of your own
- Team up with PUCK, and dive deeper into the maze of a mysterious alien world
Those adjustments are relevant if you are concerned about difficulty, controls or checkpoint frequency. They should not be taken as proof that every complaint about repetitive combat, navigation or narrative tone has been fixed: the update report describes specific changes, not a wholesale redesign. A review played before the update and a current playthrough are therefore not identical experiences.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who is Shadow Labyrinth for?
It is best suited to players curious about a Pac-Man reimagining who also enjoy 2D action-platformers and Metroidvania exploration. The maze levels and PUCK sequences are the strongest reasons to seek it out for its own identity; the broader adventure asks you to accept a more familiar loop of combat, exploration and progression. Players who want the arcade series’ lightness, rapid clarity or straightforward maze-chasing may find the grim tone and opaque story a poor fit.
Best Value
- The Minecraft Labyrinth invites 2-4 people aged 7 and over to immerse themselves in the world of Minecraft, move corridors and search for hidden characters and items
- The classic in the look of the well-known and popular computer game Minecraft! The labyrinth has been delighting children and adults for decades and has become a highlight among board games
- A fun family game for children and adults: This board game for ages 7 and up is a must-have in any game collection! Simple rules, entertaining games and exciting rounds ensure long-lasting fun
- A search and slide game that challenges and encourages logical thinking in a playful way
- A great gift or souvenir for all Minecraft fans: the characteristic illustrations provide an authentic gaming experience
Physical formats were announced for select editions: Bandai Namco listed a Standard Edition for PS5 and Switch, a Secret Edition for PS5 and Switch, and a Collector’s Edition for PS5, Switch and PC. These are announcement details, not a guarantee of current availability; check your region and edition with a retailer before buying. The publisher’s July 18, 2025 launch announcement lists those formats and the digital platforms: Bandai Namco launch announcement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
