Full game Bandai Namco Studios · Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
Shadow Labyrinth
16following on IGDB
Media
Synopsis
Shadow Labyrinth is a 2D action platformer and a genre-twisting alternate take on the iconic PAC-MAN. As The Swordsman, you wake on a mysterious planet amidst relics of wars past. To survive you will discover secrets, consume your enemies, and grow from prey to apex predator.
What it’s like
Shadow Labyrinth reimagines the iconic Pac-Man through a grimdark sci-fi lens, casting you as The Swordsman on a desolate planet filled with war relics. The experience is defined by its bold tonal shift: where the original was bright and cheerful, this title embraces horror and existential dread. Gameplay centers on high-stakes combat and predatory mechanics, requiring players to hunt enemies rather than merely flee them. The structure follows a traditional Metroidvania path, offering substantial exploration and ability-gated progression that rewards curiosity. While the atmosphere is consistently strong, delivering a cohesive mood of isolation and tension, the narrative often feels disjointed, struggling to balance its serious lore with the inherent absurdity of its premise. It is a visually striking and mechanically intense journey that prioritizes visceral action and world-building over smooth pacing or narrative clarity.
Strong in Atmosphere / MoodCombatAudio / MusicDifficulty / ChallengeExploration / WorldGameplay / MechanicsProgression / ReplayabilityStory / NarrativeVisuals / Art
Keep in mind The game suffers from significant pacing issues and an identity crisis, often feeling like it cannot decide between being a serious horror title or a quirky homage. · Players seeking tight, polished platforming or a coherent, linear story may find the experience frustratingly obtuse and uneven.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from ign.com, pcgamer.com, metacritic.com, thegamer.com, polygon.com, animenewsnetwork.com.