- Shadow Labyrinth’s 1st Anniversary - 25 July 2026
Celebrate with this new illustration by character artist Michi Kasugano and exclusive Q&A article with the Seigo Aizawa, Toru Takahashi, and Hisaharu Tago of the Shadow Labyrinth game team!
- Explore Patch 1.1.0 - 21 November 2025
Developed to address community feedback, Shadow Labyrinth's Patch 1.1.0 is available now. This update overhauls the game's difficulty with the addition of Explorer Mode, adds Quality of Life updates with tweaks to the fast-travel systems, enhances Mini-PUCK play-control and more.
- That weird Pac-Man metroidvania just got a big update, adding a new mode that 'significantly lowers the difficulty of combat and exploration' - 15 November 2025
Part of me still believes Shadow Labyrinth is some sort of collective hallucination brought on by humanity's overconsumption of digital cherries, as the idea of a grimdark Metroidvania starring Pac-Man is just too ludicrous to comprehend. Nonetheless, the trailer , the Steam page , and our own Shadow Labyrinth Review all point to this being a real thing that happened... Read more.
- Notice Regarding Release of Official Update File "Ver.1.1.0" - 12 November 2025
We have begun distributing update file "Ver.1.1.0" to adjust gameplay and fix certain issues. This version includes a major update across the entire game, featuring the addition of "Explorer Mode," balance adjustments to the existing mode, and improved play control for Mini-PUCK.This update is designed to enhance your enjoyment of the game.Please download and apply the latest update. ■ Supported Platforms: o PlayStation®5 / Xbox Series X|S / STEAM® are available now o Updates are also incoming for Nintendo Switch™2 / Nintendo Switch™ and will release soon. Thank you for your patience! ■ Adjustments o Addition of Explorer Mode - This mode significantly lowers the difficulty of combat and exploration, allowing you to better enjoy the story and world - The existing mode, which was playable upon Shadow Labyrinth’s first release, will now be distinguished as "Veteran Mode," allowing you to c…
- Shadow Labyrinth - Future Patch Update 1.1.0 - 29 October 2025
Greetings players, UGSF soldiers, and Swordsmen—thank you for playing Shadow Labyrinth.In response to player feedback, the Shadow Labyrinth Information Bureau is pleased to share details about the upcoming Patch 1.1.0.See the Future Patch 1.1.0 video here For updates please follow Bandai Namco US on X, Shadow Labyrinth on Instagram, and join the Shadow Labyrinth channel on the Official PAC-MAN Discord server. END TRANSMISSION.
- Shadow Labyrinth Patch News (Ver. 1.0.4) - 27 August 2025
The latest patch, which will update your game to "Ver. 1.0.4" is available now. This update will adjust gameplay and fix some issues. We kindly ask that you apply the latest update file before playing. ▼Fixed IssuesFixed an issue where the swordsman would not appear when entering a map containing the "Red Crystal Room" in the "Barren Volcano" area.Fixed an issue where the time displayed in the save slot was also counting during sleep mode.Fixed an issue where players could become buried in a wall and take damage when proceeding through certain MAZE using specific steps.Fixed an issue where the game would become unplayable if the player touched and died simultaneously with the boss when releasing GAIA.Fixed an issue where the game would become unplayable without transitioning to the game over screen upon death under specific conditions during the "Orange Bragza: Terrias-Valou " battle.Fi…
- Shadow Labyrinth – Patch News - 7 August 2025
Greetings players, UGSF soldiers, and Swordsmen—thank you for playing Shadow Labyrinth. With the help of our continued testing and your insightful feedback we have begun work to patch-in some game updates. Our focus is to address bugs, difficulty, on-boarding, and quality-of-life to improve your play experience and better deliver on the promise of exploration and combat with PUCK at your side. Our first patch will focus on:· An issue where the Swordsman may not appear when entering the “Red Crystal Room” in the "Barren Volcano” map area· An issue where play time may inaccurately include sleep mode· An issue where players could get stuck in walls and take damage in certain areas of MAZE.· An issue where the game becomes unplayable if the Swordsman dies while touching a boss at the same time as transforming into GAIA· Minor UI fixes Additional adjustments to go live later:· Update the HP…
- A Metroidvania Developer’s Perspective - 25 July 2025
The Shadow Labyrinth team assembled with other notable Metroidvania developers for an intimate roundtable discussion about what makes exploring the genre so fun! Check out the full article available in English exclusively on Bandai Namco Entertainment America’s website.https://www.bandainamcoent.com/news/shadow-labyrinth-and-the-creative-appeal-of-the-metroidvania-genre-a-developers-perspectiveCheck out the latest trailerAvailable Now
- Метроидвания имени Pac-Man: Обзор Shadow Labyrinth - 24 July 2025
Bandai Namco Entertainment упорно пытается оживить свои старые серии в рамках вселенной UGSF ( Объединённые космические силы Галактики ), куда уже входят Bosconian , Galaga и Xevious . А теперь увидела свет и свежая игра — Shadow Labyrinth , которую рекламировали при помощи сериала-антологии « Секретный уровень » ( Secret Level ) от Amazon .
- Shadow Labyrinth - Launch Trailer - 18 July 2025
You have been chosen...Wake up! You are the last hope! Start your adventure in this mysterious planet and embrace your true purpose. PAC-MAN enters the Shadow.You are the key. Awaken as Swordsman No. 8 and team up with an enigmatic floating orb known as PUCK. Explore a mysterious planet and engage in battle with evolved monstrosities to uncover the secrets of this maze and become its apex predator. Don't fear the dark... CONSUME IT. AVAILABLE NOWPre-purchase Shadow Labyrinth on Steam
- Shadow Labyrinth review - 17 July 2025
Bandai Namco have built a massive love letter to the 2D Metroidvania, particularly the Metroid part. They’ve set it on a deadly planet where they want to tell a tragic sci-fi story of doomed soldiers, deadly superweapons, and, er, sibling rivalry. So you may think deciding it should star Pac-Man sounds like a terrible idea. Because it is. Because of course it is... Read more.
- Shadow Labyrinth (Nintendo Switch) Review - 17 July 2025
As strange as it is, I was really on board for Shadow Labyrinth . I try to maintain a why not policy when it comes to games, so when someone asks, “Why would Bandai Namco make an ultra-dark Metroid -like out of PAC-MAN ?” My response is, “Why not?” It may not be something anyone asked for, but it’s fun that it exists anyway. I supported Shadow Labyrinth in principle; however, the more I played it, the more that support waned. I really wanted to believe in this game, but for the few good ideas it has, it wastes them on a frustrating experience that doesn’t really understand what Metroid is, and doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be. I can’t say much on the story for risk of spoilers, but if you’ve seen any of the pre-release trailers—or the Secret Level episode devoted to it—then you’ve got the gist of Shadow Labyrinth . A nameless hooded figure wakes up in a pod and is greeted by a s…
- Shadow Labyrinth Hands-On Preview: Devouring Everything - 23 June 2025
Since Prime Video aired Secret Level , the PAC-MAN: Circle episode has lived rent-free in my head. Seeing a dystopian version of everyone’s favourite pellet-eating machine was a harrowing experience, especially when the episode embraced themes of existentialism, entrapment, and survival of the fittest. Secret Level managed this in just 12 minutes. What I didn’t know was that this episode set the stage for the upcoming dark and twisted action-adventure Pac-Man -inspired title , Shadow Labyrinth . When I was offered a chance to check out Shadow Labyrinth and see a darker-than-the-arcade version of PAC-MAN, I leapt at the chance and walked away impressed. Shadow Labyrinth brings metroidvania-like action and sweaty platforming sequences to the forefront of the labyrinth, and for the Bandai-loyal, there are some surprises included that will drive nostalgia across the entire experience. In Sh…
- Shadow Labyrinth - Maze Reveal Trailer - 22 May 2025
What mazes will you discover in the darkness of Shadow Labyrinth? Take on its many challenges and become more powerful to prepare for what awaits on the mysterious planet... Shadow Labyrinth releases July 18th. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1859430/Shadow_Labyrinth/
- Look how they've massacred my boy: The newest Pac-Man game will have mechs, airdashing, and a 'dark sci-fi' story - 28 March 2025
Watching the new trailer for Shadow Labyrinth, which dropped during yesterday's Nintendo Direct, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's just a sidescroller about a sci-fi world beset by otherworldly monsters and wreathed in tragedy. I mean, it is all of those things, it's just also a Pac-Man game, which you might have gleaned from the protagonist's yellow, spherical companion named Puck. He goes around eating pellets and stuff... Read more.
- Release Date and New Gameplay Revealed! - 27 March 2025
We are very excited to announce that Shadow Labyrinth is coming very soon, on July 18th, and that the pre-orders are finally open! To let you in on more of the game's secrets, we have prepared a brand-new trailer that shows 3 different ways to play Shadow Labyrinth. This new trailer spotlights the never-before-seen gameplay where you can take on the form of a massive robotic mech called GAIA. While in this form you will inflict devastating damage on enemies and level the playing field for battles with some of the game’s most epically huge bosses. Now you know that there are 3 modes of play the game: controlling the Swordsman No.8 is all about weapon use and artfully dodging, Mini PUCK mode is all about exploring hidden and out of reach pathways, and GAIA is Shadow Labyrinth's version of a Power Pellet: a robotic giant with devastating force! Full details on all available digital pre-ord…
- Shadow Labyrinth is coming in 2025 - 13 December 2024
Explore. Battle. Consume. Survive. Shadow Labyrinth is a 2D action platformer and a genre-twisting alternate take on the iconic Pac-Man. As Swordsman No. 8, awoken by a floating yellow orb, PUCK, on a mysterious planet amidst relics of wars past, you are chosen to become the instrument of its will. To survive you will discover many secrets, consume your enemies, and grow from prey to the apex predator as you embrace your true purpose. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmpNsTLhKu0 Wishlist now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1859430/
- Pac-Man becomes an apex predator on a world shattered by intergalactic warfare in this very strange new metroidvania coming in 2025 - 13 December 2024
Pac-Man came to The Game Awards tonight, but it's not quite the cheery little yellow fellow I recall from my youth. Shadow Labyrinth is a grim metroidvania that sees the world's most famous globular ghost-gobbler "consume darkness" as he and his wielder struggle to survive and escape a grim labyrinth of evil... Read more.
