Shadow Labyrinth – Everything You Need to Know
With only a few days to go for the release of Bandai Namco’s gritty and dark reimagining of Pac-Man, a beloved presence in gaming history, fans of the character are sure to be itching to dive into the new adventure that “Puck” (as he’s affectionately called) is set to embark on.
However, Shadow Labyrinth from the stables of Bandai Namco might be a shock if you’re expecting the usual light-hearted gameplay loop that Puck is known for. Bringing a new protagonist who works alongside Puck as they explore a dark world that houses sinister threats and a lot of lore to uncover.
If that comes as a surprise to you, here are a few things to keep in mind before you pick up a copy of Shadow Labyrinth on your platform of choice and get started on tackling this inventive take on one of gaming’s classics.
11.Secret Level Has A Prequel Episode To Shadow Labyrinth
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Amazon Prime’s Secret Level featured an anthology of modern gaming’s most popular figures in standalone adventures that explored their motivations in various ways. Pac-Man’s ravenous hunger as he explored The Maze, an alien world in the year 3333 in the episode “Circles” is actually a prequel to Shadow Labyrinth.
Accompanied by an enigmatic character named Swordsman #7, Puck’s adventures in the episode neatly tie into the upcoming title, where Swordsman #8 takes over as one of the protagonists, diving deep into the new world and tackling its many threats in order to come out on top.
10. No DLC
Shadow Labyrinth is set to be a “complete package” from day one of its release, according to the game’s producer and marketing manager who sat down to discuss the upcoming title with RollingStone.
While that may deter some of you who just can’t get enough Pac-Man to satisfy you, there is no reason to believe that a lack of post-launch content takes anything away from what’s already on offer. Early previews of the game suggest that there’s a lott o do and see in this new adventure, with intricate levels and mission designs that can challenge even the most seasoned fans.
Its hack n’ slash combat is set to bring a layer of challenge to the table (more on that in a bit) while other features can keep you entertained for quite a while once you get started.
9. NPCs With Distinct Stories Flesh Out The Lore
As you explore the new dark world in your quest to rid it of the evil that plagues it, you will meet many NPC who offer up side quests for you to take on. Their purpose in the game is two fold: provide lore drops about the tragedies that befell its world prior to your arrival, and serve as tongue-in-cheek references to other Bandai Namco titles from years past.
For a story that reimagines what Pac-Man is and where the character came from, this is an interesting touch that could balance nostalgia and a sense of discovery, making Shadow Labyrinth a game that’s narratively fleshed out while its gameplay makes it as memorable as it could possibly be.
What’s more, each NPC could potentially be a source of new abilities and upgrades for Swordsman #8 and Puck as they begin to take on deadly threats or explore dangerous areas in the Maze. We won’t have to wait too long to find out!
8. The Story Explores Puck’s Origins
Bandai Namco has played things close to the chest when it comes to Shadow Labyrinth’s main story. While the prequel episode served to establish the game’s premise, it also strongly implied that it takes place in the United Galaxy Space Force universe. For all you Bandai Namco veterans, that should ring a few bells.
It remains to be seen if that plays a part in Shadow Labyrinth’s main story. However, what we do know is that Puck is a prisoner in The Maze, and needs the Swordsman’s help to escape, requiring that they give up their own life in the process. The how and why of Puck’s predicament is unknown, and it will be interesting to see if the game’s story allows its protagonists to find another way entirely, or perhaps shed more light on how Puck managed to be trapped in the first place.
There might be a tear or two on the horizon for Shadow Labyrinth’s players if Bandai Namco plays its cards right.
7. Other Bandai Namco Titles Will Make An Appearance
With early hands-on previews of the game already discovering secrets that callback to Bandai Namco titles like Galaga, Dig-Dug, and so many more, it’s evident that Shadow Labyrinth is set to make connections that go beyond its allusions to United Galaxy Space Front.
While details of its secrets and story remain among Bandai Namco’s carefully guarded secrets, the good news is that we won’t have to wait too long to find out what they are.
6. Puck Is Playable In Certain Sections
The same previews that uncovered Bandai Namco’s tongue-in-cheek references to other titles in its vast library brought more good news: Puck is indeed playable at certain points in the game!
Shadow Labyrinth’s gameplay loop is a balance between Swordsman #8’s combat prowess and Puck’s traversal skills, requiring its players to take control of the latter in platforming sections that require as much precision and finesse as its combat.
Puck’s shot at freedom means that the character is quite motivated to be as helpful as possible as you explore The Maze, and taking control of him is sure to bring back many fond memories of simpler times in your gaming adventures.
5. PC Specs
Shadow Labyrinth’s unique art style and fast-paced gameplay loop requires a moderately strong set-up if you’re playing it on PC. Its minimum requirements include an Intel Core i3-3225/ AMD A6-7400K with 4 gigs of RAM and a choice between the Intel Arc A580, AMD Radeon R9270X, or GeForce GTX 750Ti to power its graphics. Those specs should get you to 1080p with 60FPS although you may experience a lower framerate if the game’s cutscenes prove too demanding.
However, an Intel Core i7-4770K or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 with similar RAM with graphics powered by either the Intel Arc A750, AMD Radeon RX Vega 64, or the GeForce GTX 1660 Super can ensure a more consistent experience overall. Your mileage may vary based on your setup but it’s nothing that a few tweaks to your graphic settings can’t fix.
4. Switch Players Get A Free Upgrade To The Switch 2 Version
Bandai Namco isn’t leaving anyone behind, with Shadow Labyrinth available on the Nintendo Switch. The game will run at 1080p, 60 FPS when the console is docked but drops to 720p in handheld mode. The Switch 2 version, how go ever, manages 4K, 60fps when it is docked and 1080p in handheld mode.
If you haven’t been able to get your hands on Nintendo’s very potent successor to the Switch, the good news is that you can upgrade Shadow Labyrinth to the Switch 2 version for free when you finally make the “switch” (get it?) to the new console.
3. A Solid Combat System
If its previews are any indication, combat in Shadow Labyrinth is surprisingly deep, requiring that you manage Swordsman #8’s attacks, dodges, and parries via an ESP bar that functions as his Stamina. Parry windows are quite tight, requiring you to study enemy attacks and respond with precision in order to nail them, with failure being punished rather severely.
However, the game eschews the tradition of dropping rewards upon death, allowing you to keep your ORA (Shadow Labyrinth’s in-game currency) if you are unfortunate enough to be knocked down. However, that occurrence might be more common than you think with vicious enemies hell-bent on keeping Puck trapped in the maze.
Moreover, the addition of various unlockable skills for Swordsman #8 and potential unlockables for Puck indicate a combat system that might just surprise you with its depth and the level of challenge it brings to the table.
2. Turn into a Giant Mech
Speaking of challenging combat, Bandai Namco has been nice enough to give Shadow Labyrinth’s players GAIA, a giant mech that can knock its opponents flat when you accrue enough strength to summon it.
However, its limited time on the field and the fact that you will need to stay on top of your game to earn the ability to summon it in the first place ensure that you will need to be strategic about when to utilize its services in the field.
1. There Are Many Unique Bosses To Face Down
An excellent combat system means nothing if there aren’t suitably sinister enemies to test your mettle against. Fortunately, Shadow Labyrinth is all-set to keep you covered on that front.
Aside from myriad grunt enemies with varying designs and a variety of wrinkles in how you deal with them, Bandai Namco’s upcoming title features about 30 distinct bosses that can test your skills to their limits. Each of these monstrosities comes with distinct strengths such as shields that make a frontal assault redundant until they are destroyed to weaknesses that Swordsman #8 can exploit if a talented player is pulling his strings.
The Maze’s threats are shaping up to be dangerous skill-checks if what we’ve seen of the game is any indication.
And there you have it. Shadow Labyrinth is clearly not the Pac-Man experience that veterans of the character’s adventures are expecting. But for those who approach it with an open mind, there’s a lot to like in this upcoming title, and a lot of fun to be had in an adventure that’s pac’d (pun intended) to the brim with nostalgia and action.
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