Shadow Labyrinth is an upcoming 2D-action platformer developed by Bandai Namco Studios and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Surprisingly, this is a game by the famous retro game franchise, Pac-Man. This game is a complete rebirth of the Pac-Man franchise's core concepts.
The game features a swordsman as the protagonist, who is accompanied by a hovering Pac-Man figure. This figure is given the nostalgic name "Puck". Puck hovers beside the swordsman and guides him as he moves through his adventurous journey to escape the horrifying maze.
The game was initially promoted by the release of the Secret Level episode "Circle", which serves as an official prequel to the game. Shadow Labyrinth is set to be released on July 18, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.
Story and Setting
Story and Setting
Shadow Labyrinth is set up in a horrifying and hostile maze on an unknown planet amidst the relics of a war. The game is set in a maze by the developers to stick to the nostalgic maze-like structure of the Pac-Man Franchise. The environment is antagonistic, and many enemies and calamities wait for you as you advance through the maze.
On an unknown planet far away, a mysterious yellow orb, known as Puck, wakes up the Swordsman No. 8, the protagonist/player, during the events of an ancient war. The Swordsman finds himself in a hostile environment where everyone assumes he is an enemy due to the ongoing conflict. Surrounded by these overpowering calamities and beings, the Swordsman is merely a prey imprisoned in the maze.
Amidst all this pessimism, the Swordsman No. 8 finds a friend, the one who woke him up, Puck. Puck encourages him, and they both set out on an adventurous journey to break free from this imprisoning maze. Along the journey, they are faced by many enemies who are defeated by the swordsman's extraordinary skills. But as they gradually navigate and move forward, the Swordsman's skills become insufficient as they face stronger and stronger enemies.
In this difficult situation, his only friend, Puck, comes in clutch and helps him. Puck gives him unreal powers by merging with him. With Puck's unreal abilities and Swordsman's extraordinary skills, they both manage to defeat stronger enemies along their journey and pave their way out of the maze.
Puck also gives the Swordsman the ability to eat the enemies he defeats to get stronger and stronger to face upcoming challenges. So, the Swordsman, once a prey, had turned into an apex predator. Will they be able to escape the maze? You are the one who decides this with your gaming skills.
Gameplay
and Mechanics
Gameplay and Mechanics
Shadow Labyrinth is a 2-dimensional game providing a third-person view to the player. The players control a Swordsman known as "Swordsman No. 8" while he is guided through the hostile maze by a yellow orb named "Puck". The player explores many new places and challenges as they gradually move through the maze.
The combat style is amazing, and the sword-fighting also seems to be pretty decent. The players also experience many unrealistic powers when Puck merges with the Swordsman. After defeating the enemies, Puck gives him the powers to eat them by merging with the Swordsman once again. This makes him strong and relieves all his stress and fatigue.
The animations are eye-catching, the merging, the attacking, different powerups, etc, all are carefully developed to match the event and the game theme. The players encounter many creatures that they have to defeat to continue the journey to escape the maze. This keeps the players always in a state of suspense about what is coming next.
The Swordsman can also merge with Puck to achieve extra powers and abilities to defeat enemies, face different difficult challenges, and sometimes, break through some obstacles. This addition to the game breaks the limits of the human body and allows the Swordsman to do things that are beyond the scope of the human body.
The game gradually gets difficult as the Swordsman advances further and further towards the destination, with more skilled enemies, tougher environments to tackle, and more difficult obstacles to cross. This keeps the players engaged in the game and dedicated to escaping from the terrifying maze as soon as possible.
System Requirements
For PC
System Requirements
Minimum system requirements:
CPU: Intel Core i3-3225 / AMD A6-7400K
RAM: 4 GB RAM
GPU: Intel Arc A580 / AMD Radeon R9 270X / GeForce GTX 750 Ti
DX: Version 11
OS: Windows 10/11, 64-bit
STO: 5 GB available space
RES: 1080p / 60fps
NET: Broadband Internet connection
Recommended system requirements:
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K / AMD Ryzen 3 3100
RAM: 4 GB RAM
GPU: Intel Arc A750 / AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 / GeForce GTX 1660 Super
DX: Version 12
OS: Windows 10/11, 64-bit
STO: 5 GB available space
RES: 1080p / 60fps
NET: Broadband Internet connection
NOTE: Framerate might drop in graphics-intensive scenes. Windows 10 (Version 1809 or later) and a 4GB VRAM GPU (graphics board or video card) are required for the DirectX 12 API.
Editions, Pricing
and Release
Editions, Pricing, and Release
Release Date:
- July 18, 2025 is the official release date for "Shadow Labyrinth" across all platforms.
- It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (via Steam).
Editions and Pricing:
There are generally three editions available for pre-order:
▶️ Digital Standard Edition:
- Price: $29.99 USD
- Includes:
- Base Game
- Pre-order bonus: "Original Arcade Sound FX" DLC (changes in-game sounds for MINI-PUCK gameplay to sound like the original arcade PAC-MAN).
▶️ Digital Deluxe Edition:
- Price: $39.99 USD
- Includes:
- Base Game
- "Original Arcade Sound FX" DLC (pre-order bonus)
- Digital Artbook
- Digital Soundtrack
▶️ Collector's Edition (Physical - Limited Availability):
- Price: $99.99 USD (on the Bandai Namco Entertainment America Store)
- Includes:
- Shadow Labyrinth Base Game (Physical Code on a Card)
- Collector's Box* (features UV design elements)
- Shadow Box* (features UV design elements)
- Digital Deluxe Content (Digital Artbook and Digital Soundtrack)
- Enamel Pin Set
- 18" x 12" Double-Sided Map/Poster* (with UV-reactive print revealed by a blacklight keychain)
- Blacklight Keychain
- Glow in the Dark Sticker Sheet
- Iridescent Sticker Sheet
- Booklet Case*
- Pre-order bonus: "Original Arcade Sound FX" DLC
Some retailers may also offer a "Secret Edition", which is a physical edition that includes some of the Collector's Edition items (enamel pin set, iridescent stickers, booklet case, double-sided map/poster with UV print, and blacklight keychain) but not the Collector's Box or Shadow Box.
Pre-order Bonus: Regardless of the edition purchased, pre-ordering "Shadow Labyrinth" will grant you the "Original Arcade Sound FX" DLC. This allows you to change the in-game sounds for MINI-PUCK gameplay to classic PAC-MAN arcade sounds.
Check out the official reveal trailer
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