If you had told me a few years ago that we would be getting a Metroidvania reimagining of Pac-Man, I would have never believed you. Fast-forward to 2025, and in a time when Microsoft is launching Forza and Gears on PlayStation, stranger things have happened, and that Pac-Man game, entitled Shadow Labyrinth, doesn’t seem too far off.

Ahead of its July 17 launch, we got to try out a preview build of Shadow Labyrinth, which takes players on a journey through a hostile planet where they need to explore and consume, ala Pac-Man, to “become the planet’s apex predator.” Pretty dark premise for a yellow ball that runs away from pixel-art ghosts.

Shadow Labyrinth Hands-on Preview

In Shadow Labyrinth, players assume the role of Swordsman No. 8, accompanied by their yellow companion, PUCK. The game features classic Metroidvania-style controls, allowing players to jump, attack, and navigate side to side through maps filled with obstacles and enemies.

While it is unclear whether the preview build represents the game’s opening sequence, one notable aspect is that the protagonist begins with a near-complete set of abilities, many of which are typically acquired as upgrades in similar titles. From the outset, players have access to a double-jump and a grappling hook known as the ACTIV Shot, which enables them to slingshot to higher platforms, attach to surfaces, and even latch onto rail-like structures to collect scattered orbs, reminiscent of Pac-Man.

The movement mechanics feel responsive, though slightly inconsistent. The ACTIV Shot, for instance, halts momentum entirely upon use, even in mid-air. Since the grappling hook is frequently utilized, players must adapt to the sudden loss of movement, which can disrupt the game’s flow.

Shadow Labyrinth places a strong emphasis on combat and traversal, with maps densely populated by enemies and platforming challenges. The Swordsman is equipped with more than just offensive capabilities—players can employ both a parry and a block mechanic, catering to defensive playstyles. However, only one of these defensive options can be active.

Blocking envelops the player in a force field that drains the energy gauge as long as the button is held, while parrying exposes enemies to increased damage. Both mechanics are viable, but the game appears to favor parrying, as it does not consume energy upon use. The parry timing is relatively forgiving, making it accessible for most players.

Another distinctive mechanic in Shadow Labyrinth is the ability to consume enemies, granting players Gaia energy. This energy can be used to transform into a powerful robotic form (details on this transformation remain limited) and to collect materials, whose purpose is currently unclear. Similar to the ACTIV Shot, this ability momentarily halts movement, which may become frustrating as the game progresses.

The boss battle at the tail-end of the preview build placed us against a huge boss, with easy-to-read patterns that a few parries would take care of. Consuming the boss granted us a new skill which we could use to open up more paths forward. It would be interesting to see how much more variety there is in this department, and how much of it will affect exploration and combat moving forward.

Players can activate Gaia mode in challenging situations, transforming into a formidable robot. However, this transformation is temporary, requiring players to recharge the gauge before using it again. As a result, strategic deployment of Gaia mode is advised, particularly in difficult encounters.

Due to the demo’s time constraints, we were unable to explore Shadow Labyrinth extensively. However, the game appears to be shaping up as an engaging Metroidvania experience with intriguing mechanics that could capture players’ interest. If anything, there are some interesting mechanics here, but we have not seen or played too much of the game to comment too much on it yet, except to say that we are at least vaguely interested in the prospect of a Pac-Man game that isn’t a Pac-Man game.

Thankfully, we won’t have to wait too long as the game is scheduled to launch in a couple of months.

Shadow Labyrinth is coming to PS5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam on July 17, 2025.