![[Rewrite the title] Stratogun Review for PlayStation 5 | PS4Blog.net](https://www.streamgamer.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Rewrite-the-title-Stratogun-Review-for-PlayStation-5-PS4Blognet-360x180.jpg "[Rewrite the title] Stratogun Review for PlayStation 5 | PS4Blog.net")
Pac-Man, the yellow circle guy. Remember him? People have been reinventing him forever. Like, you can turn him into an adventurer dodging rocks (not a fan, honestly) or throw him into something wild like a Metroidvania named Shadow Labyrinth. That’s got me curious.
So there I was at PAX East 2025, giving Shadow Labyrinth a whirl on my Switch. Another dude was playing on a PC with a giant screen—kinda made me jealous. This game ties into a show called Secret Level on Amazon. It’s supposed to fill in the story gaps, but I didn’t check it out. Whoops. Anyway, the game runs at 30 FPS on Switch, which isn’t shocking as Nintendo’s hardware is a bit… mature? But hey, 60 FPS on the PC rocked. Oh, and the Bandai Namco folks said the Switch 2 version will also hit 60. Finger crossed!
Jumping into the game was like diving through hoops—literally. You got platforming with all the bells and whistles: double jumps, mini Pac-Man moments (PUCK?) gobbling pellets while avoiding buzz saws. They had this brutal platforming challenge, but I threw in the towel quick. I need solitude for that kind of grind, not a noisy convention.
Now, combat—that’s worth talking about. They slapped a move list right in front of you, a lifesaver for someone who forgets which button does what. Get this: you can turn Pac-Man into a giant eater. Imagine munching on enemies! Button-smashing felt smooth, difficulty was just right, and special skills like parrying added some spice. Kinda reminded me of a boss from Metroid Dread. But that could be just me.
Smashing the boss unlocked a laser move. Handy, since a bit later, I needed it to zap through a wall. Then there were these enemies you couldn’t sword-swipe. My buddy figured out you pump them with air till they pop—shoutout to Dig Dug! The Bandai folks hinted at more throwback nods in future levels. Fingers crossed for some Galaga and Rolling Thunder love.
Mark July 18 on your calendar. Shadow Labyrinth is dropping on everything from the Switch to Steam. They’ve got game editions priced $30, $40, and one with secret flashlight stuff for $60. Less than a hundred for all that seems like a steal, right?
Walking away from it all, I felt intrigued. Who would’ve thought a mix of Bandai Namco stuff could work in a dark Metroidvania setting? If Hollow Knight is anything to go by, this one’s worth the hype.
