PAX East 2025: Shadow Labyrinth Reinvents Pac-Man

Reimagining the timeless Pac-Man—kinda like remixing an old tune, right? You could go the Pac-Man 2 route, where you nudge him left and right and toss rocks his way. Honestly, that sounds awful. But hey, what about making him a sidekick in something more epic, like a Metroidvania? Enter Shadow Labyrinth.

They gave a sneak peek of this game at PAX East 2025. I was there, playing it on a Nintendo Switch in handheld mode—can you believe the graphics still rock at 30 FPS on that? Then I glance over and see this other guy playing on a big ol’ PC screen, and it’s buttery 60 FPS. Seriously, why does Nintendo hang onto old tech so long? The rep from Bandai Namco mentioned it’ll run smoother on the next-gen Switch, thank goodness.

So, picture this: Shadow Labyrinth, all about platforming and combat—this mix of jumping, double jumping, and dashing to get from point A to… well, wherever you land. Grapple points, rails, and you can roll into a mini Pac-Man to gobble pellets—classic chaos, right? Tried a tricky part they had set up, failed a couple of times, and thought, nope, not today. Maybe at home, where I can yell at the screen in peace.

Combat’s where it gets spicy. There’s a move list on the screen, but let’s be real, who remembers buttons in the heat of battle? You get to attack, dodge, heal, even turn into a giant Pac-Man to munch enemies. The gameplay feels just right—not punishing, not a walk in the park either. Oh, and there’s this parry move that’s a lifesaver, especially against this boss that gives off a Metroid Dread vibe. Can’t describe it better than that, just trust me.

After downing the boss, I got to use a laser attack—blasting barriers down like a maniac. Then you’re in this next part where enemies are immune to your sword—classic video game move. My buddy, who’s a thinker, realized you could inflate them till they pop, like Dig Dug. There’s word that other Namco classics make surprise cameos. Galaga, anyone?

Save the date—July 18, when Shadow Labyrinth drops on a bunch of platforms. Three editions, if you want to know: the $30 Standard, $40 Deluxe, and $60 Secret Edition—comes with a black light for hidden map secrets. Yeah, you heard right. Bargain for less than a hundred bucks? I think so.

So, what’s the vibe? It’s a gritty Metroidvania crammed with Bandai Namco references—sounds like madness, but it works. And anything channeling the spirit of Hollow Knight? Definitely one to watch.