Bandai Namco Plans Shadow Labyrinth Metroidvania Release July 2025

Shadow Labyrinth is a 2D Metroidvania game from Bandai Namco that reimagines the classic Pac-Man series with a darker sci-fi twist and complex gameplay. Players control Swordsman No. 8, guided by a floating orb named PUCK, on an alien planet where combat, exploration, and platforming are central, featuring directional sword attacks, dodging, parrying, and skill progression. The game is designed to gradually ramp up in difficulty, with early sections easing players into mechanics before tougher challenges arise, although some players may find the sensitive controls and jump timing challenging. Exploration is key to progression, with players discovering new abilities and secret areas, including a unique mechanic where the character transforms into a mini PAC-MAN to traverse energized walls. The narrative includes NPC interactions and a storyline involving defeating an artificial intelligence, providing depth beyond typical action platformers. While praised for its depth and ambitious design, the game has some rough edges like distant respawn points and occasionally stiff gameplay, leaving some mechanics initially confusing.