Shadow Labyrinth is a 2D platform game that is inspired by Pac-Man to offer an alternative version of the iconic character within the framework of a new genre. The protagonist of the campaign is Espadachín No. 8, which after being sent to a mysterious planet wakes up next to a floating yellow orbus called Puck. This spherical figure that we have already seen in Pac-Man: Circle, one of the chapters of the anthology of short films Secret Level of Prime Video, entrusts our hero the mission of finding the relics of past intergalactic wars that still remain on the planet.
Shadow Labyrinth's playable offer includes the promise of a fluid fight where you have to combine skills to create your own game style, and three game modes. The most common will be to control the swing No. 8 while making use of their weapons and dodges attacks, then we have the mini puck mode that serves to explore hidden paths to which the protagonist cannot access, and finally we have Gaia, a large robot that comes to represent what happens when Pac-Man eats a magical pill. When using Gaia it is possible to cause a lot of damage, break barriers and even eat enemies.
When engulfing enemies, resources are obtained that change depending on the victim and that serve to acquire skills and improve them.
The influence of Pac-Man in Shadow Labyrinth is also noted on the map of the planet, which when seen from afar is discovered as a huge maze as in the original games. In addition, the planet is dark, just like the bottom of the maze in the arcades. The development team has also sought simplicity in controls. In pac-man only the joystickand in Shadow Labyrinth the players have several actions and weapons that unfold with a combination of buttons that promises to be natural and with an accessible and flexible scheme. In addition, map exploration can be in any direction.
And the ghosts? Shadow Labyrinth also includes them. In this Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde title they are called G-Hosts and are parasitic organisms that have taken over monsters and planet machines to create something new. Finally, mention that this game belongs to the UGSF (United Galaxy Space Force), a shared universe that connects several Namco Bandai games set in space.