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 sentient yellow orb calling itself PUCK. Able to wield a weapon called the ESP... Read more