Summary
The terrifyingPac-Manepisode ofSecret Levelis (kind of) getting its own video game, Bandai Namco has announced. TitledShadow Labyrinth, the newly revealed game is being positioned as part ofPac-Man’s 45th anniversary celebrations.
Vague Secret Level Episode 6 (Pac-Man: Circle) spoilers ahead.
One of the standouts from the first season ofSecret Levelis its sixth episode,Circle, which serves as an animatedadaptation ofPac-Manthat twists the iconic franchise into something rather horrifying. While it retains many ofPac-Man’s most recognizable elements,Circletakes significant creative liberties in how it presents them, reimagining the endless labyrinth as a metaphor for futility and portraying its protagonist as a tormented soul hunted by malevolent entities rather than a cheerful yellow gobbler.
This bold take onPac-Manwill soon be revisited in the form of a video game,Shadow Labyrinth, which was announced during the 2024 edition of The Game Awards on December 12. Genre-wise,Shadow Labyrinthhas been envisioned as an exploration-heavy action platformer with non-linear elements. Aside from navigating the game’s world, players will also frequently face off against bosses, who will award them new abilities once defeated. These skills will then allow for reaching some previously inaccessible areas. Bandai Namco tells Game Rant it’s specifically not using the term “metroidvania” to describeShadow Labyrinth, all the while acknowledging that some fans will associate it with that label anyway.
Shadow Labyrinth Informed Secret Level’s Pac-Man Episode, Not the Other Way Around
WhileShadow Labyrinthis clearly tied toSecret Level’sCircleepisode, it is not an adaptation. If anything, it’s the other way around, as the game’s development started long beforeSecret Level’s, circa 2020, Game Rant has learned. When Bandai Namco eventually received aproposal from Amazon Blur Studio to do aSecret LevelPac-Manepisode, it presented its existingShadow Labyrinthconcept, which led to the filmmakers agreeing to do something with it. As such,Circleessentially serves as a prequel for the upcoming game.
Shadow Labyrinthwill feature around 30 unique boss battles, each requiring specific abilities, strategies, or both. While most of its gameplay deviates from theclassicPac-Manformula, sections where the protagonist transforms into a puck will mimic the series' signature mechanics. Regarding difficulty, game producer Seigo Aizawa says thatShadow Labyrinthis designed to be challenging yet manageable. If the player gets stuck on a boss, it will usually be easier to explore more and return stronger rather than repeatedly bashing one’s head against a difficult fight.
Shadow Labyrinthis still without a concrete release date but is tentatively aiming to hit the market in 2025. As such, it’s intended to be part of the celebrations dedicated to the 45th anniversary ofPac-Man, which falls on July 22, 2025.
Pac-Man
Before Mario came along, Pac-Man was the face of the gaming industry. The circular yellow character was first introduced to audiences with the iconic maze game of the same name, which took arcades by storm in the ’80s.Pac-Man has never reached those heights again, though the character has featured in several enjoyable games across a variety of genres, from kart racers to platform games.
