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Shadow Labyrinth
Released On: Jul 18, 2025
69
8.0
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 35 Critic Reviews
69
51% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
46% Mixed
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 35 Critic Reviews
69
51% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
46% Mixed
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
I’m old enough to have grown up with unforgiving games, and so I can appreciate a project that goes against the grain at the risk of alienating modern audiences. Even coming in as a genre appreciator, I felt alienated by Shadow Labyrinth. It’s an example of bold game design in a market that becomes more and more risk-averse by the second, and though I hated it at times, I love what Shadow Labyrinth is, and all the respect and admiration for Namco’s video game history that went into it.
Shadow Labyrinth is a fast-paced metroidvania that stands out for its atmospheric tone and the quirky presence of a yellow ball. Its most original features lie in the darker, sometimes unsettling narrative and the protagonist’s ability to transform into a futuristic Pac-Man, unlocking sections of the map designed to subvert typical genre expectations. While this creative twist adds freshness to a familiar formula, the game is held back by certain shortcomings: a lower-than-average difficulty, bosses that pose little challenge, a fairly predictable progression, level design that rarely surprises, and some stylistic inconsistencies. Despite these flaws, thanks to its fair launch price, it’s worth a try—especially for those interested in a more “accessible” metroidvania rather than a hardcore one.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 User Ratings
8.0
67% Positive
18 Ratings
18 Ratings
30% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 User Ratings
8.0
67% Positive
18 Ratings
18 Ratings
30% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
متوفر على ام تي سي mtcgame يمكنك الشراء متوفر دائما وبسعر جيد مع توصيل للايميل في ثوان ممكن تشتري مختلف الكميات حسب ما تحتاجه
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PlayStation 5
Solid Metroidvania that somehow makes good use out of the puck man. Starts off slow and takes a bit to get used to, but outshine many other metroidvanias currently available. Unfortunately this game has been getting low reviews, but I think it is great and my kid loves it.
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PlayStation 5
Despite its clear structural issues and a level design that falls well short of other games in the genre — including some with smaller scope and budget — Shadow Labyrinth meets nearly all the expectations of a good Metroidvania. With bursts of comforting nostalgia reminiscent of the ghost-eating classic, rewarding exploration, and tight combat, the experience isn’t without its stumbles (some of which I’d consider amateurish), but it’s the kind of passion project we’d like to see more studios of Bandai Namco’s caliber investing in.
Shadow Labyrinth is a madness with a lot to say, but much like its mouthless protagonist, it can't always communicate as it would like, finding itself at the mercy of events. A little more quality of life wouldn't have hurt (even the markers you place on the map have to be unlocked), yet somehow there's a certain perverse charm that permeates the entire experience. And it's not just because Pac-Man has never been this dark.
Shadow Labyrinth innovated within the Pac-Man games by boldly venturing into a dark and gritty direction no one expected. However, in terms of art style and substance, the game offers little that sets it apart in an already crowded market
An uninspired effort to infuse nostalgic IP with edgy nonsense, Shadow Labrynth offers up some fine enough Metroidvania action but fails to give players much of a reason to care about it beyond sheer novelty. Tucked away in its sprawling maps are beacons of joy in the form of classic Pac-Man mazes, but there’s only a ghost of a game built around them.
Mixing Pac-Man with Metroid seems like an enjoyably strange idea at first, until you realise just how bland and unimaginative the end result is.
The atmosphere and gameplay is completely new for Pacman, and thankfully it actually works. If you like metroid/castlevania i see no reason you wouldn't like this game.
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PlayStation 5
It’s good, not amazing but it’s fun once you get all of the upgrades and stuff.
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PlayStation 5
A very obscure mix of a rather mediocre Metroidvania and Pac-Man Championship Edition.
The game is directly tied to the Pac-Man series, but it’s not a reboot, not a sequel, not even a reimagining — more like some kind of insane experiment. The whole thing is wrapped in an anime-style space opera, piled high with references to ancient Namco series like Galaxian, DigDug, Xevious, etc. — monster designs, lore name-drops, level theming, and so on.
The gameplay is split into two parts: a standard Metroidvania + level sections (and even entire mini-maze games) where you play as Pac-Man. These sections look exactly like Pac-Man Championship Edition. Honestly, they probably should’ve just made Championship Edition 3 instead of trying to bolt it onto a Metroidvania. The Pac-Man levels are hands down the best part — playing them is significantly more fun than the main game.
As a Metroidvania? Very mid.
• Controls are clunky and far from ideal.
• Some of the graphics clearly look AI-generated — telltale artifacts and lack of visual cohesion. I suspect they took ancient NES-era sprites/tiles, threw them into an AI model, and told it to generate level layouts. Then the results were patched together manually.
• Level design suffers from the same problem — it’s just terrible. Illogical, full of useless rooms and dead ends that go nowhere. The barely readable map doesn’t help either.That said, this impression is strongest at the beginning. After the halfway point — around the 20-hour mark, once you’ve unlocked core abilities like ground stomp and double jump — the game finally starts to click. Exploration eventually becomes kind of interesting. You get used to the janky level layouts, start to understand their logic, and realize that the devs actually did put effort into cleverly twisting these maze-like environments. Still, it’s not amazing — there are simpler and more enjoyable entries in the genre.
• The soundtrack is excellent.
• Bosses are well-designed and visually striking.
• You can transform into a giant mech and eat enemies (it is Pac-Man, after all).
Pac-Man sections:
• A set of tightly-designed levels in the Championship Edition style.
• Addictive, highly replayable.
• Aaaaaand… the horrendous controls ruin everything. The yellow ball constantly moves or jumps in the wrong direction, doesn’t stick to walls, and fails to turn when needed. This issue also affects the main game during Pac-ball sections, and it’s even more frustrating there. Some moments are downright rage-inducing due to how sloppy it all **** conclusion:A weird 6/10 Metroidvania full of both intriguing and questionable design decisions. It takes forever to get going and lasts just as long — even a straightforward run without grinding or 100% completion can easily take 30 hours.I’d only recommend diving into this if you’re:
1. A die-hard Metroidvania fan who doesn’t skip a single game in the genre (and even then — only when you’re really desperate and it’s on sale; $30 is way too much)
2. Or a hardcore Pac-Man fan willing to put up with a lot.
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PlayStation 5
A very mediocre metroidvania. Some good ideas but the substance is too diluted to be worth your time. Out there, there is much more to play based on this genre. Just wait for a discount or skip it entierly. You won't lose much
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PlayStation 5
Mediocre metroid vania, map extremely confusing, impossible to memorize, npc art very cheap, mazes (which supposed to be fun) , over-tuned and are frustrating. Music nothing special at all.
But game is playable and not super bad despite shortcomings. i would say its worth 15, not 30
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PlayStation 5
Summary Shadow Labyrinth is a 2D action platformer and a genre-twisting alternate take on the iconic Pac-Man. As Swordsman No. 8, awoken by a floating yellow orb, PUCK, on a mysterious planet where relics from past wars remain, you are chosen to become the instrument of its will. To survive you will discover many secrets, start preying on you...
Rated T
for Teen
Platforms:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
- PC
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch 2
Initial Release Date: Jul 18, 2025
Developer:
Publisher:
Bandai Namco Games
Genres:
