Bandai Namco has dropped a new trailer for Shadow Labyrinth, highlighting a key gameplay feature that ties the project even more tightly to its Pac-Man roots: mazes. Shadow Labyrinth is set to release on July 18, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC via Steam.
Developed as a genre-bending 2D action platformer, Shadow Labyrinth reimagines the world of Pac-Man with heavy anime aesthetics, fluid traversal, and a dose of Metroidvania design.
A New Spin on Familiar Mazes
The trailer introduces “Maze Zones,” a level type designed to evoke the iconic structure of the original Pac-Man boards. However, instead of dodging ghosts, players will use momentum-based movement and chomp mechanics to aggressively hunt enemies. These sequences are fast, labyrinthine gauntlets built for speed and skill expression. Power pellets are replaced by environmental buffs, while dead ends and warp tunnels get a combat-centric redesign.
The transformation into Pac-form becomes a core mechanic. After dealing enough damage, players can shift into the glowing orb and consume stunned enemies. In maze sections, this form becomes essential, allowing players to blaze through corridors, scale walls, and experience a modern Pac-Man-esque game. It’s a kinetic feedback loop that turns the hunter-hunted dynamic on its head.
Building on a Strong First Impression
Following its surprise reveal at The Game Awards 2024, Shadow Labyrinth has steadily gained attention for its sharp movement systems and retro-fueled level design. The PAX East 2025 demo impressed with its blend of swordplay, traversal, and nostalgic callbacks, including entire sections modeled after Dig Dug. As noted in our previous coverage, we found that the game folds classic references directly into the gameplay.
How do you feel about this twist on Pac-Man’s legacy? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to Noisy Pixel for more coverage.
