If you were an eighties and 90 player, you probably heard about BOSCONIAN, Galaxy either Star scarf AND Ace Combat. Did you know that all these games were part of a narrative chronology and extremely well structured coherence called UGSF (United Galaxy Space Force)? And this is enriched this July 18 with a new member, Labyrinth shadow.
The new Bandai Namco game is part of this shared science fiction universe, designed to connect Namco’s emblematic games originally. All were born with the development of Galaxy 3 In 1990 and the Japanese editor, who without Bandai decided to gather all his action and space shooting games, some of the classical arcade and others from the science fiction universe, in the same branch.
Titles like Galaga, Gaplus, Star shine either Mr. Driller AND Star IXIOM They will be part of this galactic chronology where we find wars, alliances and technological developments in common markers. Although designed independently, all these titles are in fact linked to their interstellar wars against extraterrestrial species, space exploration and, above all, cross references. It is not uncommon to find factions or events mentioned in different games. An idea that would not deny Star Wars And its extended saga or Marvel and its MCU.
Connect Namco space games
The new Labyrinth shadow It is, therefore, the last official entry into the UGSF chronology, but with its modern ideas. Under Bandai Namco Banner, makes a “Dark Metroidvania” rented from the Pac-Man Universe. No more labyrinths in 2D and gums to swallow. Welcome to a dark and scary environment much less fun.
The round and yellow hero changes size, and mentality! – And it becomes Puck, a strange entity that woke Swordsman No. 8 to face enemies and elucidate a mystery on the labyrinthine planet in which they are.
Labyrinth shadow This takes place in 3333, a late position in the UGSF chronology that allows you to refer to previous fights and secrets (artifacts to find). But which also allows you to multiply winks. Thus we find the emblematic noise of the game. DigFamous Arcade title launched in 1982, when some enemies approached, but also the weapon of the game of the game that will be provided to the swordsman. Among the UGSF antagonists, we also find characters from BOSCONIAN And g-hosts, parasites that control monsters that remind those persecuted by PAC-MAN.
A renewal in the form of an obvious metroidvania
If the game is intended to read the Pac-Man universe, it is not really a variation or a suite and offers a darker and more mature vision. It also raises more existential questions about the future and interest of the playable character (the swordsman) for this album that guides it, before transforming into Gaia, giant ready to destroy and devour its enemies and a true binding with the principles of the technological war of the UGSF.
Labyrinth shadow However, it allows the UGSF to be modernized by integrating new genres (action platform, horror and metroidvania) and an acolyte of the hero, ambivalent and with characteristics nevertheless known. The idea of the labyrinth is still present, but on the scale of a planet. The gums that Pac-Man swallowed to progress are now the enemies of Gobber. If you had seen the episode of Secret level In the video bonus dedicated to PAC-MAN, it is of the same class and in the same horrible atmosphere.
Far from Pac-Man’s silence, Labyrinth shadow It is quite detailed. Sometimes you miss a little about your real goal, but also really in the meanders of the world. But the transformation of labyrinth painting in Metroidvania finally has the air of the modern and natural Evolution of the Pac-Man of forty years.
Mid-Angel, Mid-Demon, Puck, a kind of double diabolical lemon hero, remains an intriguing character, manipulator whose mystery finally captures attention. A good finding if we adhere to a rejeter far from the recent exaggerated attempts to breathe an iconic video game hero. A daring bet in the form of tribute to relaunching a brand (even indirectly) and a UGSF universe that will remember memories of the oldest.
Source: BFM TV
