Shadow Labyrinth Review: Bandai Namco’s Ambitious Pac-Man Spin-Off on Nintendo Switch 2

Shadow Labyrinth Review: Bandai Namco’s Ambitious Pac-Man Spin-Off on Nintendo Switch 2 Celebrating the 45th anniversary of Pac-Man, Bandai Namco has taken an unexpected path with the release of Shadow Labyrinth, an exploration-driven action-platformer set on a sprawling sci-fi planet.

Launched on July 17, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Switch, this new title serves as a daring reimagining of the Pac-Man legacy.

Known for their extensive and innovative catalogue, Bandai Namco (publisher and developer) has delivered an experience that both honors and subverts classic franchise conventions, offering players a fresh perspective on maze navigation and character-driven gameplay. Shadow Labyrinth begins its narrative in a modern city, where a mysterious disappearance leads players into an atmospheric world populated by enigmatic chambers and cryogenic pods.

Players assume the role of Swordsman #8, who quickly finds himself joined by Puck—a shadowy, morally ambiguous variant of Pac-Man.

Puck, far removed from his cheerful origins, consumes the souls of defeated enemies to empower the player, reinforcing the game's darker tone.

The title invites players to explore its labyrinthine environments, unlock abilities, and gradually unravel a complex storyline steeped in Bandai Namco’s extended game universe. "Shadow Labyrinth’s concept of fusing Metroidvania-style exploration with Pac-Man’s iconic maze mechanics is logical," a reviewer observed, paraphrasing the general sentiment among early players.

Open-ended, side-scrolling exploration, ability-based progression, and deep combat underpin the experience, providing a strong mechanical foundation.

The game checks most boxes expected from the genre, with large interconnected maps, secrets, and progression tied to unlocking new skills. Despite this, the review underscores that Shadow Labyrinth's initial intrigue gives way to a gameplay routine that stays overly familiar for much of its runtime.

With a campaign stretching over thirty hours, some players may find the pacing slow, as significant gameplay evolution occurs later in the adventure.

Furthermore, the heavily interconnected Bandai Namco universe—incorporating references from Gradius and Dig Dug to other hidden gems—adds richness for long-time fans, but may leave newcomers puzzled, as narrative context is often assumed rather than explained. Visually, the game delivers a competent, if somewhat unremarkable, art direction.

Subtle parallax scrolling and paper-cutout character animations lend a basic sense of depth, though some players found it lacking in impact compared to other genre standouts.

While boss fights are a consistent highlight, regular enemies and biome design are described as uninspired.

Save points are limited, adding risk to exploration, and while collectible upgrades and maze-themed D-line routes nod to Pac-Man’s roots, these features don’t always take center stage. “Ultimately, the core exploration and combat loop is solid, and the game world is packed with branching paths and secrets,” the review concludes.

Boss battles provide significant challenge and memorable moments, but the basic enemy encounters and progression systems do little to surprise.

Technical issues were largely addressed pre-launch, ensuring smooth play for most users on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch. Shadow Labyrinth stands out for its bold reimagining of Pac-Man and its ambitious timeline-spanning story.

While its fundamentals are sound and it satisfies as an exploration-driven action-platformer, its lengthy runtime, convoluted lore, and safe world design hold it back from genre greatness.

Nonetheless, for fans of Bandai Namco’s storied history and those seeking a fresh crossover experience, Shadow Labyrinth offers plenty to chew on, even if it doesn’t fully digest its own big ideas. The copy of Shadow Labyrinth was provided by Bandai Namco for review purposes.

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