Shadow Labyrinth Is A Bandai Namco Lore Drop Disguised As A Metroidvania

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Shadow Labyrinth is an enigma.

This game can be described as a “2D action-adventure platformer with combat elements,” or shortened to “2DAACP.” Bandai Namco refers to it this way instead of using the term “metroidvania,” which is derived from combining words related to two different games. The player controls an amnesiac character who follows a small yellow robot through a complex maze, facing challenging battles and intricate platforming along the way. Similar to other games in the genre, the map is vast and opens up as new abilities are unlocked, and there are numerous enemies to fight throughout the journey.

As a devoted fan, I wasn’t prepared for the unexpected narrative twist that Bandai Namco has crafted around 2DAECP (which is quite different from Metroi, as you might know). While it’s no secret that this game connects with a Pac-Man-themed episode in Amazon Prime’s Secret Level animation series, it’s the intricate lore that left me spellbound during a recent virtual sneak peek.

The 2DAECP gaming universe is bustling these days, but Bandai Namco might have found a unique way to stand out with Shadow Labyrinth. To fully appreciate this game, a brush-up on your gaming history would be beneficial.

Before we delve deeper, let’s first focus on the core activities you’ll encounter in the game. My preview granted me a glimpse into combat and platforming obstacles, culminating in two boss battles at the end. As expected, I started with the exploration phase, which plunged me into a region called the Land of the Outcasts.

Shadow Labyrinth’s main gameplay revolves around typical 2D Adventure-Exploration-Combat-Puzzle (2DAECP) mechanics. I had the freedom to traverse various paths, each presenting their own hurdles and difficulties, until I located what I sought and made my way back to where I started. The demo provided me with three distinct routes, each containing a piece essential for progression, but each also focused on one of three distinctive challenges: battling enemies, navigating platforms, and solving puzzles.

In simpler terms, the battle test was a series of peculiar adversaries with oversized heads, armed with knives and swords. The combat system in Shadow Labyrinth is user-friendly; one button performs quick sword attacks while another executes stronger moves that temporarily drain your stamina. However, mastering it isn’t straightforward. These enemies are cunning, some trapping me in corners and beating me to a pulp, while others would attempt to shoot not at my current position but where they thought I would be; they were roughly 50/50 accurate. I found the trial difficult yet satisfying, and it was rewarding to complete the final wave and obtain the key item.

As a gaming enthusiast, while the eco-themed narrative was engaging, it didn’t quite resonate with me as deeply as I had hoped. However, the platforming aspect of the demo was nothing short of exhilarating! It seemed to me that the developers meticulously crafted each level, anticipating player strategies and tailoring the obstacles accordingly. This wasn’t about blindly charging through stages filled with enemies and traps; instead, it required strategic planning, careful thought, and a cautious approach to every potential hazard. In my opinion, this game encourages mindful play, and that’s exactly what platformers should be all about!

Additionally, I found the “D-Line” segments quite enjoyable too. It was thrilling when my journey transformed into a miniature version of Pac-Man, where I had to navigate along paths illuminated by light in order to advance. These sections offered an exciting change of pace during exploration and even triggered a bit of nostalgia for the classic Pac-Man gaming experience.

In Shadow Labyrinth, the essence of nostalgia lies at its core, and it’s this aspect that I will now discuss, focusing on the utterly extraordinary narrative that underpins the exploration and combat. As the Amazon Prime show reveals, the small, yellow robot named Puck is desperately trying to break free from his confined world, and he needs warriors for this mission. In this role, I am Swordsman No. 8, the eighth attempt at escape and triumph, and alongside me, we venture and battle through the labyrinth together.

While we’ve barely touched upon it, the story goes much deeper than you might think. For instance, have you heard that all the classic sci-fi games produced by Bandai Namco are interconnected within a single narrative timeline? Until this preview event, I was completely unaware of this connection, but Bandai Namco asserts they’ve been maintaining this secretive continuity across their games. Whether or not this claim is accurate remains to be seen, but it certainly piques one’s curiosity either way.

In the final stages of the Shadow Labyrinth, found within this possibly century-old tale, lies a wealth of nods and echoes to earlier games. Here are some instances:

1. (Example 1) The intricate maze design in one level mirrors the layout of an iconic game from the 90s.
2. (Example 2) A character’s dialogue seems reminiscent of a popular RPG from the late 80s.
3. (Example 3) An item’s description contains subtle references to a classic arcade game from the early 80s.

  • The tribe of friendly human characters I encountered are called the Bosconians.
  • The queen refers to my character, whose identity is still a mystery at this point, as a Galaxian.
  • She also references a potential foe named Emperor Galaga.
  • The Pac-Man robot’s name, Puck, is a reference to Puck-Man, which was Pac-Man’s original name.
  • Enemies encountered during the demo included Pookas and Fygars from Dig Dug.

Here are subtler instances that might elude some players, while others are more apparent. In this demonstration, I encountered two distinct bosses: one at the conclusion of the exploration phase and the second from a designated save file provided by Bandai Namco. Remarkably, both bosses were direct nods to past Bandai Namco productions. The first was G-HOST, a tiny, ghostly entity attached to machinery, operating massive hooks that collided with me. Given Pac-Man’s significance to the storyline, it’s not unexpected to see one of his spectral adversaries emerge here.

In a different turn of events, another character expanded the idea of self-reference dramatically. This figure was a colossal humanoid monster resembling Jason Voorhees, donning a distinctive white mask and identified as Jen. If your horror senses are tingling, it’s because Jen is known for being the damsel in distress from the Splatterhouse series. Interestingly, her hero Rick Taylor also wore a similar white mask while slashing through demons and monstrous humans. It’s worth noting that Splatterhouse isn’t part of the timeline I previously mentioned, so we can wonder just how deep into Bandai Namco’s archives Shadow Labyrinth intends to delve.

At present, there’s no scarcity of Metroidvania games, with Hollow Knight: Silksong and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond set to join the ranks this year. So, how does a game make its mark in such a bustling genre? Bandai Namco seems to have found the solution by crafting an utterly captivating narrative for Shadow Labyrinth. What’s more, the world (2DAECP) built around this mind-blowing tale is engaging and difficult, ensuring that players will be eager to delve further into this Pac-Man-like rabbit hole of fun and challenge.

Initially, I wasn’t sure about the outcome when I entered Shadow Labyrinth during the preview. Following my gaming session, I remain just as clueless about its future elements, which only adds to its charm.

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2025-06-23 18:10