The return of a debatable traditional with caveats

Pac-Man World isn’t what I’d name a polarizing sport. In the event you’ve ever requested somebody if that they had any recollections of the 1999 unique, normally you’re greeted with some type of “it’s certainly one of my favourite platformers!” or “what are you even speaking about, get away from me.” Pac-Man World Re-Pac is probably going going to have the identical affect.

However for these of you who do dive in, there’s a enjoyable little mascot platformer right here.

Pac-Man World Re-Pac (PC, PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Nintendo Change, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X)
Developer: Now Manufacturing
Writer: Bandai Namco
Launched: August 26, 2022
MSRP: $29.99

Pac-Man World Re-Pac‘s premise is as easy as its platforming. A villain has captured Pac-Man’s household (his spouse is Pac-Mother, as a result of, you understand), and it’s as much as you to journey by themed worlds to save lots of them. One is modeled after pirates, one other is a set of ruins, one is in area — you get the image. It’s a really 1999 sport, together with the Crash Bandicoot hub world roaming to go from degree to degree. The improve to 60 FPS (on every part however Change) and enhanced visuals don’t actually alter that basis, although there are some high quality of life enhancements.

Two of the larger, but refined ones, are the shortage of a requirement to save lots of all of Pac-Man’s household individually to complete the sport, in addition to the addition of a simple mode. The latter can pop on as an non-obligatory toggle mid-level too, which shall be helpful for people who can’t beat a particular sequence. It’s a really laid-back sport and this non-obligatory addition fits it. The obvious change is a brand new coat of paint, and smoothing over the overwhelming majority of 1999 clunk.

As I discussed earlier, the way in which you play Pac-Man World Re-Pac is easy. Every degree typically has P-A-C-M-A-N letters to gather, fruits or icons that function keys to required or secret/bonus areas, and a statue on the finish to smash that signifies the tip. It’s a set of mascot platformer tropes, however none of it feels overwrought. There’s simply sufficient there to make degree discovery and exploration attention-grabbing, with out throwing an excessive amount of pointless nonsense on the participant. Unlocking further classic-feeling “maze” ranges is among the greatest examples of this philosophy, as they’re enjoyable to do in their very own proper, however you gained’t really feel such as you’re lacking out if you happen to skip some.

To really accomplish all that, Pac-Man has a number of talents: an amalgamation of a number of different mascots of that period. Pac-Man can do the traditional “hover in mid-air” platforming transfer by kicking his toes, and he can Sonic spin sprint by holding down a button. There’s a butt bounce (which additionally does double responsibility as a approach to bounce larger), and power-ups like Metallic Pac-Man (which makes you impervious to enemies and allows you to sink underwater), harking back to that period of platforming. Minigames and a slot machine bonus (on the finish of every degree) are thrown in for good measure.

On paper it doesn’t sound like Pac-Man’s foray into 3D platforming is all that distinctive, however the way in which these talents weave into one another from a gameplay perspective is attention-grabbing. Ranges typically reap the benefits of successive butt bounces, and work the apex of these jumps into these designs. Dashing will make Pac-Man zoom throughout the display after a wind-up — but it surely can be used to energy platforms and contraptions like a hamster in a wheel.

A variety of platforming sections use all of those talents to their fullest, particularly higher-octane ranges which have the specter of harm accompanying all these maneuvers. Rapidly deciding between a bounce or a butt bounce whereas lasers fireplace at your head is enjoyable, particularly when you begin to determine the rhythm and cadence of every part Pac-Man has at his disposal.

It doesn’t take that lengthy for Pac-Man World to start out throwing these issues at you both. Most “first levels” in every zone are introductory, however after that, plenty of the tutorials are minimize and also you’re left to your individual gadgets. Whereas there are plenty of common truths that function an interconnected internet all through the sport (like water and lure doorways), zones typically have differentiating recent ideas.

One of many greatest sins of Pac-Man World‘s design, which wasn’t rectified with Re-Pac, is the excessive quantity of low-impact enemies. Whereas enemy id is a big a part of many mascot platformers, I’d battle to recall most of Pac-Man World‘s rogue’s gallery by reminiscence. Their assault formations and general presence aren’t something particular both, which takes you out of the second if you happen to have been searching for a extra action-oriented vibe. With a butt bounce, sprint, and throwing pellets (in addition to a charged tremendous pellet throw), there’s loads of methods to take enemies down, however you gained’t want all of them; you’ll be able to simply sidestep most of their shenanigans.

With the lower-key stakes (coupled with a lower-key $30 value level), and a agency consistency with degree design, Pac-Man World Re-Pac nonetheless saved me all through. I’m undecided Pac-Man World Re-Pac goes to lure in lots of extra followers, however the ones it already had must be proud of this new packaging. It’s a workhorse of a mascot platformer: one which was understandably handed by, however remains to be value speaking about.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}