Shadow Labyrinth: Pacman and Metroidvania is a great combination

03 Ago Shadow Labyrinth: Pacman and Metroidvania is a great combination

Shadow Labyrinth is the latest installment in the Pac-Man universe and presents itself in an unusual genre. A protagonist tries to survive in a world full of dangers, and his ally is none other than Pac-Man himself, who guides him and grants him various powers. The full version of the game will be available from July 18th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 1-2, and PC.

In a year that sees the long-awaited release of two of the most anticipated Metroidvania games – Team Cherry’s Silksong and Retro Studios’ Metroid Prime 4 – Pac-Man quietly makes his presence felt. It’s a direct sequel to the Amazon series Secret Level, with the yellow ball getting his own episode: Pac-Man: Eclipse.

To fully enjoy this new episode, you should watch it beforehand to understand the context. Here’s a brief summary: The year is 3333. Pac-Man, or Puck, as he calls himself, is a strange alien who challenges us to devour various creatures and gain their powers. This allows us to explore this inhospitable planet, which, while inhabited by ordinary beings, is also teeming with creatures possessing unique abilities.

Although the genre is a blend of Metroid and Castlevania, where we can acquire abilities or items that allow us to explore new areas of previously visited locations, Puck is more than that. It’s not just about possessing powers like moving along the edge of the screen in his iconic form or charging up a powerful attack.

Anyone who’s seen the episode knows what to expect. For everyone else, the atmosphere is darker than ever, almost the exact opposite of what you’d expect from Pac-Man. Lively music, vibrant colors, and a perfectly executed ambiance – all of that is reversed here: The colorless details, the dark techno music, and the entire atmosphere transport you to a completely different world.

We have to wait until July 18th to experience it for ourselves and draw our own conclusions. The entire atmosphere transports you to a completely different world.