Shadow Labyrinth Reviews
The best thing about Shadow Labyrinth is the unusual idea of transforming Pac-Man into a metroidvania and also a minigame that reinvents the classic format we know. The adaptation in itself is successful and the execution delivered a competent game, but one that lacks relevant highlights that make it above average in the genre, marred by unnecessarily long areas and low-quality visuals.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shadow Labyrinth is a dark and gritty Pac-Man spinoff that somehow manages to be one of the best Metroidvanias in recent memory.
Shadow Labyrinth is a solid 2D Metroidvania and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Its edginess has a lot of spunk and charm, level design is solid, platforming is varied, and progression is paced well. If you dig the idea of PAC-MAN eating people as you explore a world purveyed in turmoil, this one’s worth checking out. ∎
Shadow Labyrinth offers stylish combat and nostalgic nods in a dark sci-fi setting, but stumbles with uninspired level design and a barely-there Pac-Man identity
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Shadow Labyrinth is a great idea. However, poorly defined hitboxes, inconsistent mechanics, and over-inflated difficulty bog down what could have been a great experience.
Shadow Labyrinth is an intriguing and enjoyable take on the Pac-Man franchise. There is a solid Metroidvania there with it, but some design choices hold it back from being a truly great game.
Shadow Labyrinth is not just a reimagining of PAC-MAN—it's an experience that blends nostalgia and modern design within a dark, mysterious, and explorative atmosphere. It’s a solid experience for fans of mystery and metroidvania-style games, but not the ideal choice for those seeking fast-paced action or straightforward storytelling.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Shadow Labyrinth offers a compelling Metroidvania experience that reimagines a classic character in an entirely new light. Though its appeal may vary depending on player preferences, the game delivers an engaging adventure anchored by a strong narrative that hooks players until the end. While later levels may lose some of their initial spark, the journey remains rewarding thanks to its atmospheric design and thoughtful storytelling amidst repetition and the lack of doing something new.
While Shadow Labyrinth may not end up being a part of some folks' Metroidvania Mt. Rushmores like Hollow Knight or Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, it stands strong in what it's trying to do despite its issues, and the Pac-Man mechanics lend themselves well to the genre. I'm eager to see how it evolves from here.
Combining elements of soulslike, metroidvania, and the retro charm of Pac-Man, the game delivers a solid, creative, and visually striking experience. The narrative is engaging, filled with mysteries and Easter eggs that will surely please longtime Bandai Namco fans.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shadow Labyrinth is a bold reinvention of a beloved arcade icon. Bandai Namco delivers a challenging and rewarding metroidvania with great level design, deep combat, and a tough but fair difficulty curve, while its few flaws stem from design choices rather than bugs. A must-play for genre fans, especially those who once roamed arcades decades ago.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Shadow Labyrinth shows that it's possible to explore classic franchises and create something new at the same time. Rather than playing it safe with a remaster of a title, Bandai Namco has taken a risk by completely reimagining one of gaming's most classic titles.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Even though Shadow Labyrinth is a tribute, it's also an adventure completely diverging of what's expected of PAC-MAN's standards, and even with some flaws here and there, it impresses with its robust and potential-filled final result, being a project that pleases fans of the genre and the company's franchises alike.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shadow Labyrinth is at least worth a rental or an afternoon or two of your search actioning time, provided you're fine with mediocrity. If you need a transcendent search action game though, this ain't it.
"A bold evolution of the Pac-Man legacy" Shadow Labyrinth delivers one of the most exciting and innovative platforming experiences of 2025. Not only does it pay homage to the Pac-Man legacy, it reimagines it as a dark sci-fi epic within a masterful Metroidvania format. Deep combat, clever exploration, and a nostalgic soundtrack combine to create a game that's both emotionally and mechanically challenging.
Review in Arabic | Read full review