ugh I hate how much of secret level turned out to just be marketing... I wanted black mirror but with videogames, instead I just got 15 minute game trailers... ffuuu
If you told me, BANDAI NAMCO is making a Horror Metroidvania game starring PAC-MAN based on the most divisive episode of SECRET LEVEL, I honestly wouldn't believe you. And yet here we are.
Or Velvet Crowe from Tales of Berseria becoming Pac-Man (Pac-Woman?) with the Arm instead of being a Claw is now Pac-Man shaped and like her home game...Said Arm consumes it's enemies.
@@pokemontrainer5678 this being a wild adaptation of Pac-Man is what's make it unique. Sure not for everyone, but a unique take nonetheless Remove the Pac-Man stuff and you end up with common Metroidfania-esque games
@wildanbaxtli6913 eh sorry but I just can't see pacman like this. It's like early 200ps bomber man edgy for the sake of being an edgy character that's not normally edgy.
@@marvelfantasy472 I believe Bandai Namco was already working on the game before the Secret Level episode was in development. Bandai Namco specifically told the screenwriters for that episode exactly what they wanted it to look like. Tim Miller talked about it in a recent Variety interview.
@@SymbioticDivisions no they weren't told to. Here's the direct quote. "When we talked to the developers, they said, 'You can do whatever you want for Pac-Man, but can we show you what we're doing for the next game?' What they showed us was so f---ed up and off the hook. It was a swordsman wandering an apocalyptic wasteland, Pac-Man was a mobile gun platform, and the ghosts were these mutant things. It was so f---ed up! If you gave me a million years to guess what the next Pac-Man game would be, I wouldn't have got there."
@@ben66562Spot on, here's some other context: Having such a different version of Pac-Man was "a simple mandate," from entertainment company and video game developer Bandai Namco, Wilson said. Bandai Namco develops, owns and publishes the Pac-Man franchise. "I don't know if folks will watch that and think we went off the reservation, but their mandate was 'We would like people to wonder: what did they do to Pac-Man?'" I think they absolutely nailed the assignment, and frankly it's pretty dope that Bandai Namco had that particular mentality.
The Game Awards 2024 was absolute rubbish and this is definitely not PAC-MAN World 2 remake this is Shadow Labyrinth that BANDAI NAMCO is going to be releasing in 2025.
other way around bud. the Secret Level Episode is actually based on this game. this game was in production way before the episode aired. if anything the episode was a Teaser for this game
@ianromero-gemmell3214 haven't seen the full episode but I'm actually hyped for the game. if harada is producing this game then I'm sure it won't be terrible
@@cryptidsgaming1518Kinda sucks that Secret Level was really nothing more than a bunch of ads, and the Pac-man episode was apparently no exception. That being said, I actually think this game looks really interesting. I think it kind of gets the whole "dark, gritty reimagining of Pac-Man" idea across better than the Secret Level episode.
@@mawinstallation6626 I don't know man, that's like looking at the Mario Movie 1993 designs and saying "this is peak game design.... times change...." sorry for mocking you lol, it's just an example
Look at that, a game. Not a wonky tech demo for something. Good job Bandi . I was actually talking with a friend of mine the other day about how smaller games like this, the fun ones we all run back to when we get bored of whatever scheme this years AAA software is up to with a nice new coat of paint. I have all the big titles but it’s games like this that I always run back to. This art style looks amazing and gameplay looks fun, added to wishlist.
From another comment, to spread the word: “It’s about a character needing to collect stuff while trapped in a maze and chased by stuff” it follows the same principle as pac-man
I was hoping if they made a game based on the Secret Levels episode, it would be a 3rd person action type of thing, but getting ANY game at all is so cool. A new, interesting take on pac-man and its themes. I can't wait to play it!
THEY ACTUALLY PLAYED THE PACMAN SOUND EFFECTS! just 0:23 alone makes me excited!!! this is more accurate then the episode (which, for the record, i think was a fine reimagining of the FIRST pac man game, but not the franchise as a whole) so im happy!!
"There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." ...
I doubt they'd only make this, this looks like a risky bet of a game for the whole brand, and I doubt they'd put all their money on this being a commercial success; it'd make sense for them to follow this up with a palate cleanser later in the year aimed at more general audiences. I'm assuming they're gonna drop this game in early to mid 2025, and then maybe release something more in-line with the actual Pac-Man series in late 2025, closer to the holiday season.
Okay I appreciate that there's the little floaty Pac-Man buddy... and that the main character is just a cloak with eyes. A Pac-Man ghost. Also was that some Dig-Dug in there?
They had already planned this game since the start. The Secret Level episode was both to promote and to find out how fans would react to the new concept and whether they should continue with it.
@@applekhi3962 To me it wasn't bad at all. They did what they wanted to: modernize Pac-Man and give it more lore. But the internet for some reason decided that it sucked and Namco pulled out the plug, to the point that they're not even allowed to reference it because they want us to forget it. I'll miss it, there was no reason for it to end like that
A small part of me feels like this is making fun of all those crazy ass dark reimaginings of Pac-Man, even with the context of Secret Level's episode. I'll probably like this in the same way I see Frogger: The Great Quest as a guilty pleasure.
like this being based on the original concept and ideas behind Pacman from what I've heard. It is like they took the original design and intention and fleshed it out, which is really smart. I see this as its own universe, like a dark pacman, and I don't see it as anything to do with the classic, but I am glad it is here it will be fun to play and explore it. I just hope they do a PC version because I don't own any platforms.
The Pac-Man episode of Secret Level didn't even come out that long ago haha. They must have been planning this for a while. That episode was so twisted.
I absolutely LOVE when series are allowed to make these crazy weird, dark, experimental projects like this! It’s always so cool when studios just say “fuck it” and do something like this that’s never been seen before
I dont know whats more jarring The fact that this is an official pacman game based on an episode of secret level Or that it actually looks good and i might consider getting it
I wasn't a fan of the secret levels episode but now with the context of shadow labyrinth, I actually like it which goes to show how important context is
Is this what the Secret Level episode was teasing for Pac-Man? Probably. Eh, it looks... kinda cool? But at the same time I can't help but wonder why Bandai Namco keeps, y'know, not using the established world seen in PAC-LAND and the Pac-Man World trilogy. I'm just confused more than anything.
It's like Pac-Man is finally going thru this anxiety, dark, edgy phase that the rest of the world went thru back in the 2000s.
Cure the legacy of Kain defiance trailer music
He kinda did though, pac man world 3 exists
*cough cough.* Bomberman: Act Zero.
It's not a phase, mom
I mean Pac Man World 3 sorta counts
They made a goddamn PAC-Man Metroidvania and used Secret Levels to promote it, the absolute crazy bastards
W pfp woodman
isn't Secret Level just a compilation of random cinematic game commercials though?
@@kype5258 I mean yeah but isn’t about any video game to show/movie adaptation?
Pac Man was never the same since the divorce with Miss Pac Man
It was all AtGames' fault.
Another childhood actor ruined by drugs and alcohol😔🙏🙏
@@japhreal probably busy snorting crack with Rayman from Captain Lazerhawk.
Pac-Man's getting his Ramon arc
@@japhrealI knew eating all those pills wasn't going to be good for him..
Now the Secret Level episode make sense
ugh I hate how much of secret level turned out to just be marketing... I wanted black mirror but with videogames, instead I just got 15 minute game trailers... ffuuu
@@oorto1393 wait so does that mean we are getting a new mega man game? No seriously if thats the case then the short episode is worth it for me
@@oorto1393 Most of the animations had very little to do with the actual franchise. So no, you didn't get game trailers.
NO IT DOESNT
@@SleepyStreakconcord, this new pac-man game, that PlayStation mess and space marine 2 would like to say otherwise.
Pac-Man: Act Zero
It hurts how true this is, and I hope it won't be that bad.
Im so thankful i wasnt only one who thougth this
Oh God don't ruin it
Right?
Pac Zero
If you told me, BANDAI NAMCO is making a Horror Metroidvania game starring PAC-MAN based on the most divisive episode of SECRET LEVEL, I honestly wouldn't believe you.
And yet here we are.
Me too
I'm thinking that the secret level episode was actually maybe based off of this game behind the scenes, and it just wasn't announced until now.
@robooz yes, it's confirmed in today's Entertainment Weekly article
You should see the origins of Pac Man World 3. What got left behind there may be getting resurrected here.
It's apparently the other way around. The Secret Level episode was based on this.
Die: 2006 Born:2024
Welcome back Bomberman act: Zero
Went from funny ghost dodge and eat to ALL OF THEM SHALL BE CONSUMED BY THE ETERNAL MOUTH
Or Velvet Crowe from Tales of Berseria becoming Pac-Man (Pac-Woman?) with the Arm instead of being a Claw is now Pac-Man shaped and like her home game...Said Arm consumes it's enemies.
You gotta give NAMCO this. They were definitely thinking outside the box for this take on PAC-MAN
This was always their vision, but they packed the technology to bring it to life.
And somehow this is awesome as opposed to offputting
Those crazy bastards
Yeah no. This is not it. You can't actually think this is good for a PACMAN game... like the game looks decent but get rid of the pacman stuff.
@@pokemontrainer5678 this being a wild adaptation of Pac-Man is what's make it unique. Sure not for everyone, but a unique take nonetheless
Remove the Pac-Man stuff and you end up with common Metroidfania-esque games
@wildanbaxtli6913 eh sorry but I just can't see pacman like this. It's like early 200ps bomber man edgy for the sake of being an edgy character that's not normally edgy.
A PAC-MAN inspired Metroidvania game?
Actually looks interesting, not gonna lie.
Yes. And inspired by that episode of Secret level
@@MatthewLoh-ru1mwsecret level is an ad dude, it’s based on the game.
@vast9467 I now know it was
Close enough, welcome back Bomberman: Act Zero
The Secret Level episode was a literal trailer?!
Yes
Either that or Bandai Namco liked the concept enough to make a game.
@@marvelfantasy472 I believe Bandai Namco was already working on the game before the Secret Level episode was in development. Bandai Namco specifically told the screenwriters for that episode exactly what they wanted it to look like. Tim Miller talked about it in a recent Variety interview.
@@SymbioticDivisions no they weren't told to. Here's the direct quote.
"When we talked to the developers, they said, 'You can do whatever you want for Pac-Man, but can we show you what we're doing for the next game?' What they showed us was so f---ed up and off the hook. It was a swordsman wandering an apocalyptic wasteland, Pac-Man was a mobile gun platform, and the ghosts were these mutant things. It was so f---ed up! If you gave me a million years to guess what the next Pac-Man game would be, I wouldn't have got there."
@@ben66562Spot on, here's some other context:
Having such a different version of Pac-Man was "a simple mandate," from entertainment company and video game developer Bandai Namco, Wilson said. Bandai Namco develops, owns and publishes the Pac-Man franchise.
"I don't know if folks will watch that and think we went off the reservation, but their mandate was 'We would like people to wonder: what did they do to Pac-Man?'"
I think they absolutely nailed the assignment, and frankly it's pretty dope that Bandai Namco had that particular mentality.
It dawns on me that Pac-Man is 44 years old now, which is prime mid-life crisis territory.
2000s internet parodies comee to life.
The pill animation was more scarier than this
I’m actually hyped for this. Love to see there was more than just an artistic choice for that Secret level episode.
Ain’t no way we got a PAC MAN horror game/metroidvania before GTA 6
We are getting an anime style gta 6 before gta 6 and it might be better than gta 6😂😂😂😂
Ananta/project mugen? @@GGA007Gaming
This meme is approaching it's death
@WorldJumperJoe good! that means gta 6 is coming out soon
@@literallywhons4sthat’s if it comes out
This isn't Pac-Man world 2...
That game already exists, just appreciate that new games are being made
The Game Awards 2024 was absolute rubbish and this is definitely not PAC-MAN World 2 remake this is Shadow Labyrinth that BANDAI NAMCO is going to be releasing in 2025.
@@jamest1214At least a good game got GOTY unlike 2020.
it’s time will come :)
@@soup64don’t think Re-PAC sold well considering the lack of public sales numbers, businesses are more willing to publish them when a game is a hit
Oh hey, the Secret level episode got made into a game
other way around bud. the Secret Level Episode is actually based on this game. this game was in production way before the episode aired. if anything the episode was a Teaser for this game
@@cryptidsgaming1518 well I am pleasantly surprised. Hopefully the game is good as that episode.
@ianromero-gemmell3214 haven't seen the full episode but I'm actually hyped for the game. if harada is producing this game then I'm sure it won't be terrible
@@cryptidsgaming1518Kinda sucks that Secret Level was really nothing more than a bunch of ads, and the Pac-man episode was apparently no exception. That being said, I actually think this game looks really interesting. I think it kind of gets the whole "dark, gritty reimagining of Pac-Man" idea across better than the Secret Level episode.
@@alexandercorbett1147it is by definition an ad, it’s literally an anthology series of video games
Man, this Langoliers game adaptation sure looks crazy
....thats woah
Pac-Man is going through his Goth phase.
For as weird and edgy this is, i honestly love it
THIS IS INSANE WTF
This unironically looks peak
This was my favorite Game Awards reveal
Guess that explains Secret Levels.
Man, Pac really isn't taking the divorce welll...
Atgames started this domino effect I can't believe this..😔
@@japhrealWhy doesn’t Namco just buy Atgames out?
nah, pac man is suffering after the public execution of ms pac man
Whatever happened to “Pac-Man was designed to be more cute and approachable amongst the onslaught of violent space shooter arcade games”?
He lived long enough to be the villain. Maybe his time in the Dig Dug world made him bitter.
@@japhreal Will Mappy bring him back :O D:
Times change brudda
They wanted to go for something different. And that Secret level episode was the answer
@@mawinstallation6626 I don't know man, that's like looking at the Mario Movie 1993 designs and saying "this is peak game design.... times change...." sorry for mocking you lol, it's just an example
Look at that, a game. Not a wonky tech demo for something. Good job Bandi . I was actually talking with a friend of mine the other day about how smaller games like this, the fun ones we all run back to when we get bored of whatever scheme this years AAA software is up to with a nice new coat of paint. I have all the big titles but it’s games like this that I always run back to. This art style looks amazing and gameplay looks fun, added to wishlist.
That twist ending to that episode tho!
From another comment, to spread the word: “It’s about a character needing to collect stuff while trapped in a maze and chased by stuff” it follows the same principle as pac-man
I was hoping if they made a game based on the Secret Levels episode, it would be a 3rd person action type of thing, but getting ANY game at all is so cool. A new, interesting take on pac-man and its themes. I can't wait to play it!
Well, you got your answer
@MatthewLoh-ru1mw I didn't ask any questions!
THEY ACTUALLY PLAYED THE PACMAN SOUND EFFECTS! just 0:23 alone makes me excited!!!
this is more accurate then the episode (which, for the record, i think was a fine reimagining of the FIRST pac man game, but not the franchise as a whole) so im happy!!
We all know what happened to Pac Man...
He got Secret Leveled.
Very awesome of Namco to make a sequel to the hit game 'Sonic Labyrinth' for the Year of Shadow.
Best comment here
@@alteredishere lol
0:45 Monster Pacman looks cool and malicious tho🔥
Venomized pacman
"There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." "There is strength in repetition." ...
I wanted pac man word 2 remake
Hey, we'll get it soon. Don't worry.
We will get it soon, this was made at the same time as repac 1
TerminalMontage lowkey predicted this
I know right.
HOLY FUCK NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT HE DID
No he didn't
0:32 Is that supposed to be a Pooka?
Yes. It is a reference to Dig-Dug’s Pooka.
The trailer:👹👹👹 The BANDI NAMCO intro:😀😀😀
Please don't let this be the only game we get for the 45th anniversary
Still praying for Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac everyday
I doubt they'd only make this, this looks like a risky bet of a game for the whole brand, and I doubt they'd put all their money on this being a commercial success; it'd make sense for them to follow this up with a palate cleanser later in the year aimed at more general audiences. I'm assuming they're gonna drop this game in early to mid 2025, and then maybe release something more in-line with the actual Pac-Man series in late 2025, closer to the holiday season.
Praying for Championship Edition 3
Okay I appreciate that there's the little floaty Pac-Man buddy... and that the main character is just a cloak with eyes. A Pac-Man ghost. Also was that some Dig-Dug in there?
Never in my life that I thought to see a dark Pac-Man "Metroidvania" game...
They had already planned this game since the start. The Secret Level episode was both to promote and to find out how fans would react to the new concept and whether they should continue with it.
I JUST saw this on secret level right before!
Thats because it's based on ot
Looks like a Metroidvania. I’m down for secret level pac-man
Don't you see, PAC-MAN was always a metroidvania, we just never saw past its 8-bit exterior.
"Remember PAC-MAN? This is him now. Feel old yet?"
NGL, this looks like a phenomenal way to interpret Pac-Man and i am really gonna keep an eye on this one
Something nobody asks for, but everyone wanted.
WOW now I understand what that one episode in Secret Level with Pac-Man was about! The game and vision look amazing!
wow, this looks amazing, I wishlisted it on steam.
Take me back to ghostly adventures any day.
PLEASE TAKE ME BACK!!!
I wanna time travel one day and show this to anybody in the ghostly adventures days
"Perhaps I treated you too harshly"
Honestly ghostly adventures wasn't that bad
@@applekhi3962 To me it wasn't bad at all.
They did what they wanted to: modernize Pac-Man and give it more lore.
But the internet for some reason decided that it sucked and Namco pulled out the plug, to the point that they're not even allowed to reference it because they want us to forget it.
I'll miss it, there was no reason for it to end like that
This is such a cool concept with excellent execution!
secret level the actual game
I didn’t know I wanted a dark pac man metroidvania until now
A small part of me feels like this is making fun of all those crazy ass dark reimaginings of Pac-Man, even with the context of Secret Level's episode. I'll probably like this in the same way I see Frogger: The Great Quest as a guilty pleasure.
THIS AIN’T WORLD 2 REPAC
It will be coming soon.
@@nas0518 how do u know
like this being based on the original concept and ideas behind Pacman from what I've heard. It is like they took the original design and intention and fleshed it out, which is really smart. I see this as its own universe, like a dark pacman, and I don't see it as anything to do with the classic, but I am glad it is here it will be fun to play and explore it. I just hope they do a PC version because I don't own any platforms.
It all makes sense now…
Wdym that Secret Level episode was turned into a full game?
It is, now
Pac Man: Shadow Labyrinth
Enemies: this is the end for you
Pacman: THIS IS A WRENCH
We got this before Pac Man World 2 Re Pac?
A serious pac man game wasn’t on my bingo card
Looks like the adventures of this dark take on Pac-Man are not over yet!
we got a pac-man metroidvania before gta6
bite bite, chew, chew, crunch, SWALLOW! (monster, naoki urasawa)
Bro I can't believe it, it's actually not April 1st or even October.
Edgy, I'm digging this as an edge lord connoisseur of white haired protagonists and dark powers sealed within this looks amazing
The Pac-Man episode of Secret Level didn't even come out that long ago haha. They must have been planning this for a while. That episode was so twisted.
I absolutely LOVE when series are allowed to make these crazy weird, dark, experimental projects like this! It’s always so cool when studios just say “fuck it” and do something like this that’s never been seen before
“There’s strength in repetition.”
What an insane thumbnail for the Pac-Man official RUclips lol
NOW this makes sense.
At least they also Remembered Dig Dug.
unironically hyped for this
I never thought they were gonna make a full game on that one episode of this show! Looks exciting! Can't wait to play it when it comes out!😎😄
They did
Secret Level fans joined the chat
I’m betting that this game is going to the M or T rating.
Is this based on the Secret Level episode!?
Wait so secret level is just a marketing show?
is this how Pac man sees his world?
Now this sounds like a game I could get my hands on someday soon
This feels like they made this game so people would stop complaining about how Secret Level Pac-Man wasn’t Pac-Man.
I dont know whats more jarring
The fact that this is an official pacman game based on an episode of secret level
Or that it actually looks good and i might consider getting it
It's the forner
Should’ve been Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac…
Wow, PAC-MAN sure has come a long way since PAC-MAN
That final sound effect with the logo at the end of the trailer- I'm not the only one who recognized that last few notes as Duel of the Fates, right?
I'm digging it, it remind me of those old fan theories of Pac-man being an astraunot on a broken spaceship
If Patra from Pacman Party were in this game, I imagine she would be the queen protecting her ancient temple
It would be funny if the game were sprinkled with subtle nods to various Namco games. One coming to mind right now is Baraduke.
I...I am both immensely perplexed, and bizarrely intrigued.
I won't lie, this actually looks really cool .
I wasn't a fan of the secret levels episode but now with the context of shadow labyrinth, I actually like it which goes to show how important context is
Is this what the Secret Level episode was teasing for Pac-Man? Probably.
Eh, it looks... kinda cool? But at the same time I can't help but wonder why Bandai Namco keeps, y'know, not using the established world seen in PAC-LAND and the Pac-Man World trilogy. I'm just confused more than anything.
Yes
Don’t think I didn’t recognize the DIG DUG Reference
ummmmmm okay - Voodoo Vince
I love Voodoo Vince. Wish they made a sequel.
A Metroidvania Venom Pac-Man game was not on my ‘25 bingo card but hell I got a free space
For a game whose dedicated Secret Level episode was about strength in repetition, I’m surprised they didn’t make it a roguelike.
Edgy Pac-Man? Hell yeah, I'm in!!