Amazon Prime’s latest mini-series inspired by popular video games has taken a turn for the bizarre in its full-length release as Shadow Labyrinth, a game that struggles to balance its promise with frustrating execution. This challenging metroidvania attempts to reimagine Street Fighter-inspired combat but falls short due to poor storytelling, shallow enemy encounters, and an unforgiving checkpoint system.
The game’s premise of Pac-Man as a warrior fighting for survival on a prison planet is intriguing, but the pacing of Shadow Labyrinth makes it difficult to become invested in Puck’s journey. The story meanders through cryptic dialogue and vague lore, failing to deliver a compelling narrative that justifies its slow gameplay.
Shadow Labyrinth does showcase some impressive visuals with its unique paper doll animation, particularly in enemy design. However, the combat is formulaic and relies on standard melee moves, lacking any groundbreaking mechanics to spice up the experience. Platforming is occasionally engaging but often feels like navigating an endless maze, with obscure signposting leading to frustrating dead ends.
The checkpoint system adds a layer of stress to the game, making even small missteps feel devastating due to its punishing consequences. Boss battles are similarly unimpressive, relying on basic pattern recognition rather than strategic thinking.
While 10 hours in hasn’t been enough time for me to form a definitive opinion, I remain hopeful that Shadow Labyrinth will find its footing as it progresses. The game’s visuals and platforming elements show promise, but more work is needed to elevate the combat mechanics and storytelling to match the potential of its concept.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/shadow-labyrinth-review