Shadow Labyrinth was supplied by Bandai Namco for evaluation. Thanks!
Everyone knows and love Pac-Man, they’re one of many staples of the online game trade. The sport is well-known the world over, and it is onerous to think about that system being modified up for no matter motive. Nevertheless, Bandai Namco determined to just do that. After I first noticed Shadow Labyrinth, I used to be perplexed and intrigued. I’ve seen Pac-Man introduced into puzzle video games, platformers, and even noticed him take part preventing video games like Tremendous Smash Bros. Now, he was going to affix the Metroidvania area, and for his first outing within the style, it is a fantastic recreation, however it’ll require some persistence.
Story-wise, Shadow Labyrinth has a cool idea. As a direct sequel to the Pac-Man episode of Secret Degree from Amazon, you might be Swordsman No.8, summoned by a mysterious floating yellow orb named Puck. You’ll have to ascend the Black Tower whereas attempting to determine why, who you might be, and what Puck truly is.
It was a tough story to comply with, and it was onerous to maintain observe of all the pieces happening, however I like how completely different this feels to different Pac-Man video games. The grittier environment and tons of assist make this expertise really feel extra compelling, and whereas I wasn’t 100% positive precisely what was happening, it did not take away from the expertise total.
Shadow Labyrinth excels in its presentation, which continued to wow me the extra I performed. The combo of broody, vibrant landscapes mixes rather well with the character fashions and animations, which make me consider Paper Dolls. There have been some actually lovely set items I discovered operating via the a number of completely different biomes of the spacious metroidvania-esque map, and the fluidity of the animations of each ourselves and the enemies made it only a pleasure to expertise. Presentation-wise, it feels prime tier.
As for the gameplay, it may be a hit and miss at instances. There have been instances I actually liked the fight, preventing monsters left and proper with my assortment of melee assaults, however then there have been instances that I might simply get aggravated. The bosses, particularly, whereas gorgeously animated with distinctive designs, have been extra obnoxious than pleasurable. The bosses do not feel as partaking or strategic as I hoped, and would normally contain simply dodging assaults, slicing, dodging, slicing, and getting their stun meter up so I might slice them for five seconds in a row as an alternative of 1.
Nonetheless, although it is a variety of slashing and dodging, which might really feel like Souls-like video games generally, it was nonetheless stable. You might have your fundamental sword slashing that may assault in any course, and that would be the most-used ability. We do produce other assaults, like a slower punch that may stun enemies, and we are able to rework into a large mech for durations of time, however a majority of fight might be dodging and fundamental assaults. It’s enjoyable briefly bursts, however I discovered it to really feel very monotonous as soon as I began encountering an increasing number of enemies that would not go down with a single hit.
The development programs really feel a bit on the essential aspect, however they get the job completed. The Ora that you simply decide up is used to purchase new perks and direct upgrades to your stats, like additional assault harm and a bigger ESP bar. We are able to additionally get new ESP Expertise, that are mainly secondary/particular skills. They’ll vary from grenades to extra highly effective sword strikes and might actually assist when in a bind.
This can be a Metroidvania via and thru, and Shadow Labyrinth encompasses it properly. We now have a pretty big map to discover, full of various pathways to take, and as you discover new instruments and get new skills, you may circle again and see what these beforehand unreachable paths have on the finish of them.
The best way the world and development are designed makes this really feel like a fantastic match for the style, and although there’s little to no directions on the place to go and the map may be extraordinarily robust to learn, it feels unabashedly like a Metroidvania via and thru. I additionally admire that there are some platforming and fight challenges sprinkled in, although some platforming might really feel a bit tough to regulate. At instances, it may well really feel a bit too exact, like when on rails with Puck and leaping round, or a bit too floaty, like when leaping from smaller platforms because the Swordsman. It by no means hits that candy spot within the center, nevertheless it bought to the purpose the place I needed to throw my controller from frustration both.
One factor I constantly discovered attention-grabbing to see was how Bandai Namco would interpret the Pac-Man universe and fill out the world of Shadow Labyrinth. There are fixed references, from the extra apparent ones like Puck resembling Pac-Man and the colourful ghosts being one of many major bosses that we are going to struggle, to the way in which the ghosts will disappear once they depart, and the sounds PUCK makes when he grabs Ora. It was pleasurable to see all of the references and level them out, which gave me a way of connection to this new, gritty world of Pac-Man.
Shadow Labyrinth – Steam Deck Efficiency
Shadow Labyrinth runs like a dream on the Steam Deck, and I wouldn’t have anticipated anything. The 2D metroidvania all the time seemed like the proper match for moveable play, so I’m glad I can verify that it’s. It could run at 90 FPS and round 8-9W battery drain for over 5.5 hours of battery life on the OLED Steam Deck.
I did discover some spots the place the framerate and battery drain would spike, like when first waking up firstly of the sport, however these instances have been far and few. Nearly all of the sport runs flawlessly, and it mode than earns its Verified badge.
Accessibility
The one choices we’ve got in-game are audio settings, language, and altering management bindings.
The sport does not have 16:10 decision help, nevertheless it does have cloud saves and stable controller help. There are not any HDR settings.
Conclusion
Shadow Labyrinth is a stable recreation that has a few nuisances stopping it from being a must have. It has nice Metroidvania mechanics and an intriguing story, however the fight can really feel a bit monotonous and tough. The platforming generally is a little bit dodgy as properly, generally feeling too strict or too free at completely different instances. Even nonetheless, it by no means disrupts the movement of the sport a lot, and I might nonetheless think about it a enjoyable recreation. In case you get pleasure from metroidvanias, this might be a welcome addition to your library, however there are moments that will really feel a bit unfair.
The sport can also be flawless on the Steam Deck with none points. It runs at 90 FPS and underneath 9W battery drain, which is simply good. That is a straightforward Greatest on Deck recreation.
Our evaluation is predicated on the PC model of this recreation.
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