What if Pac-Man went full edge-lord, got a sword, and started exploring creepy alien mazes with the help of a mysterious floating orb named Puck? That’s not a weird fanfic, that’s Shadow Labyrinth, the upcoming 2D action-adventure from Bandai Namco, and it’s somehow real.

You play as The Swordsman, a grim warrior wandering a massive, monster-infested labyrinth that’s less “arcade maze” and more “cosmic death trap.” Your only guide? A glowing orb named Puck — because of course Pac-Man’s spiritual successor gets a talking sidekick with legacy vibes.

The gameplay blends hack-n-slash combat with exploration and upgrades—classic metroidvania style. You’ll earn new abilities, gear up, and gradually transform from lost space guy into an absolute interdimensional menace. It’s like if Hollow Knight, Doom, and Pac-Man had a very intense group project.

Inspired by the “Ice Age” concept, the game ditches ghosts (mostly) for terrifying native beasts and planet-hopping mutant hybrids that look like they crawled out of your subconscious at 3 a.m. And yes—you can still consume them for power. Just with a lot more violence.

Launching July 18, 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2.

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