Shadow Labyrinth’s Unconventional Metroidvania Twist on Pac-Man is Surprisingly Effective!

Alright, let’s dive into this chaos, shall we?

So, here I am, 32 and still chasing ghosts in a maze. That’s how you know you’re a real Pac-Man fanatic. Summer days at the arcade, my pockets rattling with quarters. I mean, did I really think I could ever clear that legendary split-screen level? Anyway, fast forward to PAX East, and I’m kinda skeptical about this new Pac-Man twist called Shadow Labyrinth. Who wouldn’t be, right? Pac-Man in a sci-fi dystopian world with laser-shooting mechs? Sounds like something pulled from a fever dream, but hold on, it’s surprisingly epic.

I know, I know, it looks bonkers on paper. Picture this: Pac-Man morphs into a gigantic robot, firing lasers. Totally wild, but oddly satisfying. Puck, Man – see what I did there? – it’s legit glorious.

So, the story picks up after Secret Wars on Prime Video. There’s this brooding dude, Swordsman No. 8, surrounded by weird creatures – not exactly your typical morning. Enter Puck: a little round guy who munches on everything from fruits to ghosts. They make a pact, combining strength and agility to fend off the nasties lurking around. And man, the darkness here? It’s like, full-on oversized monster madness.

Every biome’s like its own peculiar universe. No maze feels like another. Spiky enemies and aerials, each with a different vibe. My sneak peek kicked off underground, bats fluttering and these hedgehog-like things snarling. Combat felt like a Castlevania-DNA cocktail, mixed with a dash of Ori and the Blind Forest. And Puck? He’s pure kinetic energy, swinging around like a pro.

Oh, wait! Did I mention the grappling hook? You can chain attacks mid-air, slamming swords down – talk about a power trip! Challenge rooms kept me on my toes, enemies just swarming from every corner. Imagine trying to be a ninja and a pacifist at the same time – a hilarious disaster at first. But once you get it, oh boy, it’s sweet victory.

Switching gears to Puck was a throwback. Waves of electricity carrying him through obstacles in a way that screams classic Pac-Man, with modern spice. Limbs flailing, zipping up, down, left, and right. Oh, and don’t underestimate the twist – it adds spice to every battle, especially when dodge lines become part of your attack plan.

And then, there’s this huge Kaiju boss fight – yeah, you heard right. Classic man-versus-monstrosity, no exit. You gotta outsmart it, scale walls with Puck, go all David on the Goliath, targeting the weak spot in style. Half the time I’m thinking, "Why is this even working?" Yet there I was, grinning like a goofball.

And just when you think it can’t get weirder, Puck morphs into Gaia, a colossal mecha. Picture this: Gundam crossovers with nostalgic arcade vibes. It shouldn’t work, but it’s pure magic – like watching that final, explosive scene in an action flick.

Post-battle, the fun’s far from over. With a newly unlocked laser ability, you can clear hordes like dusting shelves with a bazooka. The game thrives on chaos, throwing you into odd locations with these floating foes that felt oddly familiar – like a trip back to Dig Dug days.

Being a part of the Bandai Namco universe, Shadow Labyrinth packs in Easter eggs like secrets in a treasure chest. Sure, they’re tight-lipped about upcoming surprises, but hey, the anticipation makes it sweeter, right?

Imagine telling a younger version of me, “Pac-Man’s going full Metroidvania, battling giant beasts.” Total disbelief, right? Still kinda crazy now, but I’m eating it up, quirks and all.

This jumble of grappling action, hefty sword fights, and mind-bending puzzles? Pure joyride. Pack your doubts and give Shadow Labyrinth a whirl – it’s a masterpiece of madness that seemingly shouldn’t, but totally does, knock it out of the park.