Shadow Labyrinth, a Pac-Man-Inspired Action Platformer, Debuts on PS5 July 18 – PlayStation.Blog

Shadow Labyrinth is the next big thing in 2D action platforming from Bandai Namco Studios. Get ready to command Swordsman No.8, who finds himself whisked away to a puzzling planet by the mysterious Puck, tasked with succeeding where others have faltered. Together, they’ll unravel secrets and face off against colossal bosses, all in a bid to survive. The idea of a dark twist on the classic Pac-Man formula is groundbreaking for the franchise, promising an experience that both long-time fans and newcomers will want to dive into. Mark your calendars; Shadow Labyrinth steps into the spotlight on July 18.

For those wondering, yes, Puck might remind you of Pac-Man with its distinct resemblance. Picture this: a shadowy, giant Pac-Man bearing down on a fallen foe. But the game’s connection to Pac-Man goes much deeper. We’ve built Shadow Labyrinth meticulously from the ground up with a clear vision of what it means to carry on the Pac-Man legacy.

In the world of Pac-Man, nothing is more iconic than that familiar maze, except perhaps Pac-Man himself. We’ve taken that notion to heart, ensuring that the environments in our game are just as memorable as the characters. We wanted to recreate that maze-like, immersive experience on a grander scale. The overview of the planet is essentially a massive maze, echoing the spirit of the original game where mastering the layout is key to conquering your foes. Unlike the arcade classic’s backdrop of darkness, our story plunges you deep into the enigmatic depths of outer space, where the challenges only grow larger and more complex. The ultimate goal? Either reach the final destination or meet your demise trying.

Remember the joystick gauntlet of an arcade Pac-Man machine? Simple controls, right? Just a joystick. As players navigate through Shadow Labyrinth, we wanted to mirror that intuitive feeling. Even though we’ve introduced a range of actions and weapons, we aimed to keep the controls from feeling overwhelming. We want players to have freedom – the freedom to chart their own path and follow their curiosity, much like a classic Pac-Man maze. The control scheme is approachable; you control where your adventure begins, and soon, you’re swept into the intense gameplay reminiscent of the original Pac-Man action.

Within Shadow Labyrinth, you can explore three exciting play modes. With Swordsman No.8, it’s all about wielding weapons and showcasing your dodging prowess. Mini Puck mode focuses on venturing through concealed or hard-to-reach passages. These modes capture that classic Pac-Man essence, but the third mode, GAIA, is our take on the Power Pellet: imagine a formidable robotic giant with immense force. With GAIA, you can crush foes otherwise deemed too strong, break barriers (a throwback to Super Pac-Man), and even devour enemies. Just like the Power Pellet, GAIA’s power is limited, requiring strategic usage to gain an edge over your adversaries.

Pac-Man has always been about chomping down on Dots, Power Pellets, and Ghosts to keep moving. We’ve expanded on this core concept in Shadow Labyrinth, where consumption isn’t just for defeating foes but also for powering up. Rather than just slashing enemies to defeat them, why not consume them?

By choosing to eat your enemies, you gain resources — varying depending on the adversary. These resources allow you to improve and upgrade your abilities. In Shadow Labyrinth, consuming isn’t just about survival; it’s about evolving from hunted to hunter.

And for those wondering about the Ghosts — don’t worry, they haven’t been left out. In Shadow Labyrinth, among the creatures trying to take you down are the G-Hosts, sinister parasites that inhabit and transform monsters and machines on the planet. These encounters evolve into epic boss battles, each one a tribute to the original game’s main antagonists. Expect to see formidable foes, including a twisted appearance of Pinky, all stepping from the shadows as challenging boss battles.

By blending the legacy of traditional games with the DNA of Pac-Man, Shadow Labyrinth offers a fresh yet familiar experience. Keen-eyed players might spot how the game fits into the broader narrative of the UGSF (United Galaxy Space Force) timeline, a universe linking many of Bandai Namco’s space-themed titles. As you navigate Shadow Labyrinth’s expansive world, you’ll bump into notable adversaries reminiscent of those from Dig Dug, Bosconian, and others.

So brace yourselves because Shadow Labyrinth is launching on PlayStation 5 this July 18!