Shadow Labyrinth Review: When PAC-MAN is Tired of Mazes

Shadow Labyrinth is a bold reimagining of PAC-MAN, transforming one of gaming’s most iconic arcade mascots into a twisted, sci-fi, 2D metroidvania. Much like its unsettling appearance in Prime Video’s Secret Level, the game raises the question of why our universally recognized, family-friendly arcade classic takes a dark and visceral form.

In this Shadow Labyrinth review, I evaluated it from two perspectives. First, as an experiment in recontextualizing the PAC-MAN franchise for a modern audience. Second, as a standalone side-scrolling metroidvania competing in an already crowded and demanding genre. These are two very different criteria, and the game’s success depends on how well it balances both.

Separating the Franchise from the Metroidvania Genre

If you’re unfamiliar with the PAC-MAN franchise, it started as a classic arcade maze game where you control a yellow puck, eating all the dots while avoiding four colorful ghosts. Over time, the franchise evolved beyond arcade mazes, venturing into genres like action-puzzle in the Pac-Man World series and racing in Pac-Man World Rally.

Clearly, the studio is familiar with genre-jumping, but this time it doesn’t sit entirely right with Shadow Labyrinth. PAC-MAN is legendary and always branded as a family-friendly game, so when the first announcement of this title dropped, my reaction mirrored watching the uncanny Secret Level episode: “what the puck?”

In an interview with the producer Seigo Aizawa, it was revealed that the darker PAC-MAN was intended to reach a new audience and tap into the in-demand platformer genre. The reasoning isn’t as profound as I expected, and it’s definitely a risky move given the mixed public reaction.

That said, I spent over 20 hours playing Shadow Labyrinth on PlayStation 5 and realized my initial cynicism about the “darker PAC-MAN” clouded my fair judgment. The game is actually more polished and thoughtful than I imagined. For this reason, this review treats it as a standalone metroidvania platformer, respecting the game on its own terms while acknowledging its PAC-MAN inspiration.

Shadow Labyrinth Gets the Fundamentals Right

Compared to games like Blasphemous, Nine Sols, and the Ori franchise, Shadow Labyrinth takes roughly 30 hours to complete, or up to 55 hours for completionists. This lengthy playtime indicates two things: the game is packed with content and boss fights, but it also struggles with exploration which will be my main criticism.

The map design and puzzles are engaging, encouraging forward progression and backtracking for those who enjoy it. The game’s environments are varied, from tropical rainforests to dim crystal caves and massive metal spaceships.

During the first few hours, movement and combat felt generic. However, the game features a material-driven progression system: defeating enemies grants materials to upgrade abilities, some of which are unlocked only from boss fights. Once upgraded, your character can access previously unreachable areas.

This isn’t a novel concept in the metroidvania genre, but it demonstrates that Shadow Labyrinth is aiming to compete with top-tier games like Hollow Knight. That said, discovering this progression late into the game made me wonder if casual players would even reach it before quitting.

Upgraded abilities like air dash and grappling hook add depth to combat, though less so to exploration. Boss fights can be punishing if you lack the right build, but there’s no single “correct” strategy. Success depends on timing and combos, which I personally enjoyed.

Exploration, however, is less rewarding. Unlocked areas usually offer materials or items you may never use, and sparse checkpoints make backtracking frustrating. Remove this backtracking, and the effective game length could drop below 25 hours, and I’m not exaggerating.

If you’re expecting a metroidvania on par with market leaders, Shadow Labyrinth might not be your top pick. But if you want fresh mechanics and a unique nod to PAC-MAN, the game’s integration of the franchise’s legacy makes it stand out.

Integration of PAC-MAN Legacy Sets This Game Apart

When PAC-MAN comes to mind, it’s all about chomping yellow dots and dodging colorful ghosts in a maze. Shadow Labyrinth cleverly integrates these elements into its gameplay.

You don’t directly control PAC-MAN. Instead, you play as Swordsman No. 8, accompanied by PUCK which is a thoughtful nod to PAC-MAN’s original Puck-man. PUCK can devour monsters to collect materials. If you’re familiar with the God Eater franchise, yes it works exactly like that.

Besides material, devouring also helps you activate Gaia form, a giant mech that you initially control at the start of the game. It’s a very powerful ability, especially useful for cheesing through large groups of enemies. However, it has a very short duration and requires precise timing to succeed in boss fights. This brief window balances its power, forcing you to rely on intuition and strategy to know the best moment to activate it.

Additionally, in certain areas, you can switch to classic Pac-Man by controlling PUCK, riding rails like it’s an arcade level. But you can also stop, aim, and jump, adding a new layer to combat in the game. I especially appreciate that this rail system appears in some boss rooms as well, giving you more tactical options to win a fight.

Later in the game, you unlock arcade-style stages that are essentially Pac-Man Championship Edition. These stages are faster and easier to play, but achieving a perfect score is more difficult than defeating the toughest boss in the game. It’s a nice addition, though there are often moments where you think, “OK, I’ve had enough of this mode,” and return to the core game.

You can also spot Pooka from Dig Dug, one of many references to Bandai Namco’s beloved arcade library.

Final Verdict: Great

Shadow Labyrinth has more to offer than public perception suggests. Yes, a darker PAC-MAN might seem unusual for a family-friendly franchise but the game’s new mechanics, smart references to PAC-MAN history, and strong metroidvania design make it a unique addition to the genre.

PAC-MAN fans will enjoy its darker tone and clever references. Casual players may find the backtracking and slower progression frustrating, but it is rewarding for those seeking a unique, polished game.

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