Following the surprise announcement of the Pac-Man 2D dark action platformer Shadow Labyrinth, new details have surfaced.
A Distinct Take on Pac-Man’s Legacy
According to a brief interview by the outlet Digital Trends, Shadow Labyrinth is being developed internally at Bandai Namco from a team that’s worked on the series for “a long time.” Additionally, the general goal of this project is to introduce new kinds of players to this IP.
Players can anticipate nonlinear exploration to collect “gadgets” that will expand provided abilities, making it seem like a metroidvania even if that genre label isn’t used explicitly.
Key gameplay pillar fundamentals from the classic Pac-Man series, namely maze navigation, eating mechanics, and sudden shifts in dynamics, have been reimagined to create a distinctive experience.
A Four-Year Journey with Star-Studded Oversight
The idea for Shadow Labyrinth began during brainstorming sessions four years ago, with Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada stepping in as the project’s executive producer. Fans can also dive deeper into the lore with the Pac-Man episode from Amazon’s Secret Level series, which acts as a prequel to the game’s events.
Other details include how the companion character with the Swordsman protagonist is named Puck, a reference to what the series was initially called, Puck Man.
Collector’s Edition & Pricing Details
Shadow Labyrinth launches with two editions:
- Standard Edition – $29.99
- Collector’s Edition – $99.99
The Collector’s Edition is packed with exclusive goodies, including:
- Physical copy of Shadow Labyrinth
- Collector’s box with UV design elements
- Shadow box
- Digital deluxe content (artbook and soundtrack)
- Enamel pin set
- Double-sided map/poster (18” x 12”)
- Blacklight keychain
- Glow-in-the-dark and iridescent sticker sheets
- Booklet case with UV details
Preorders include the Original Arcade Sound FX as a digital bonus.
Shadow Labyrinth follows Swordsman No.8, who’s awoken by a floating yellow orb, Puck, on a planet where relics from past wars are prominent. The main character is “chosen to become the instrument of its will” and aims to become the apex predator.
Players will learn of an age-old intergalactic conflict while gaining new upgrades. The combat is fluid, with combined skills to individualize playstyles. Enemies are consumed, causing the Swordsman to grow. Ultimately, we will discover truths about this world and why Puck chose this protagonist.
