When thinking of reinventing the classic videogame Pac-Man, there are a few ways to go about it. You could make Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures, controlling Pac-Man indirectly by pointing him left or right while pelting him with rocks. That’s a bad interpretation of the character. Or you could turn him into a supporting character in a Metroidvania named Shadow Labyrinth. This is the more interesting option.
A preview build of Shadow Labyrinth was shown off to the press at PAX East 2025. I played the game on a Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, while another media member gave it a go on a PC build using a big screen. The title uses an episode of the Amazon show Secret Level as a prequel, so fans should watch that if they want some backstory for the adventure. While playing, I noticed Shadow Labyrinth ran at 30 FPS on Switch, a sadly common occurrence for Nintendo’s aging hardware. It ran at 60 FPS on PC. It is not a deal breaker, but there is an emphasis on combat in the game, so things might feel smoother on other platforms. Thankfully, the Bandai Namco representative confirmed the title will run at 60 FPS on Nintendo Switch 2.
The demo of Shadow Labyrinth showcased the meat and potatoes of the game: platforming and combat. Platforming involved the protagonist (Swordsman No. 8) jumping, double jumping, and dashing from point A to point B. Thrown into the mix were grapple points you could attach to and rails you could ride while transforming into a tiny Pac-Man (PUCK), complete with pellets to gobble up (and buzz saws to avoid). There was even a platforming gauntlet section that the Bandai Namco representatives said we could try, but I gave up after a few attempts. A convention is not where to hone one’s skills; I require complete solitude to improve.
Combat was the other element of Shadow Labyrinth that made up the core gameplay. Thankfully, the demo had a move list onscreen in case you forgot what button does what. You can attack, dodge, heal, shoot, use special skills, or turn Pac-Man into a giant to devour enemies. Attacking feels nice and fluid, and the difficulty feels just right, not overly punishing. You can even use a parry as one of your special skills, which was perfect to utilize against the big bad above. It looks like that first boss in Metroid Dread, doesn’t it?
After defeating the boss, I gobbled him up to gain a laser attack. This proved helpful, as the next section had a wall I had to blast with said laser to advance. In the next maze-like area, special enemies native to that region appeared that could not be killed by your sword. Imagine my delight when my colleague figured out you had to use your grapple hook to pump them full of air until they exploded. That’s right, there’s an homage to Dig Dug in Shadow Labyrinth. I confirmed with the rep that other Bandai Namco titles will be referenced in different zones. I hope to see some references for Galaga and Rolling Thunder.
Shadow Labyrinth will release on July 18 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Three different editions will be available for purchase, including one that contains a black light to reveal secrets on a map! The prices are $30, $40, and $60 for the Standard, Deluxe, and Secret Editions. Nabbing the one with the hidden images is a steal for less than $100.
I walked away from my time with Shadow Labyrinth intrigued. A gritty Metroidvania featuring a bevy of Bandai Namco IPs doesn’t sound like it should work, but it does. And any game with Hollow Knight as an inspiration is one to anticipate.
