Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures puts the round hero back into motion, but it does not always know what to do with him. The game, out for PS3, 3DS, PC, Wii U and Xbox 360 in 2013, wants to be a platform adventure built around the TV series PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures. It mostly succeeds at being a decent enough ride for fans of the show, but it stumbles whenever it tries to build its own identity outside of that licensed space.
Trailer, via Bandai Namco Entertainment America.
The Setup
The story opens with Pac-Man and his friends walking into Sir Cumference’s lab. There, three golden orbs sit on a table, and Sir Cumference explains what they are to Pac-Man. Then four ghosts from the netherworld — Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde — arrive to warn Pac-Man that Pacopolis is under attack by the forces of Betrayus, king of the netherworld. The ghosts want the Frigidigitator, a device Sir Cumference made for when Betrayus makes another heat-wave device like the one from Season 1’s “Betrayus Turns the Heat Up.”
That setup is simple and clear, and it gives the game a reason to exist beyond nostalgia. It also sets up a conflict between Pac-Man’s allies and the ghosts who serve Betrayus, which could have made for some interesting puzzles and fights. Instead, the game leans heavily on the show’s premise without building much around it.
What Works
The game is at its best when it lets the show’s characters drive the action. Pac-Man, Sir Cumference and the ghosts all get distinct enough personalities that they feel like people rather than sprites. The animation is bright and readable, even on the 3DS, where the game looks small but clear. The voice acting matches the tone of the show, which is silly and energetic without being grating.
The platforming itself is straightforward. Pac-Man moves through levels that ask him to jump, slide and roll, with occasional puzzles that involve moving objects or avoiding traps. None of it is difficult, and none of it asks for much precision. That simplicity can be a relief after years of games that punish players for small mistakes, but it also means the game rarely tests skill beyond basic timing.
“Pac is back in an all-new experience for a whole new generation of fans.”
What Falls Short
The game’s biggest problem is that it never quite figures out what it wants to be. It is clearly built as a tie-in for the TV series, and it spends most of its time telling stories about the show’s characters rather than letting Pac-Man become a proper protagonist. The result is a game that feels thin, with little sense of purpose beyond delivering the next episode of the show’s plot.
The multiplayer mode is a mixed bag. It offers a few modes that let players team up or compete against each other, but none of them stand out as memorable. The mode exists, it works, and it is easy to ignore.
Technical Issues
The game shows its age in several ways. On the PS3 and Xbox 360, the frame rate drops during busy scenes, which can make combat and platforming feel less responsive than they should. The Wii U version runs smoother but still has visible pop-in on textures. The 3DS version holds up reasonably well, though its graphics are clearly limited by the hardware.
None of these issues sink the game, but they do keep it from feeling polished. A game this tied to a TV show should look like a priority, and it does not always manage that.
Where It Fits
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures is a competent but unremarkable entry in the long line of Pac-Man games. It is better than some of the licensed tie-ins that have appeared over the years, and worse than others. Its strengths are its characters and its connection to the show, and its weaknesses are its lack of ambition and its technical rough edges.
If you are a fan of the TV series, there is plenty here to enjoy. If you are looking for a game that stands on its own, you will find it wanting.
The Final Word
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures is a game that knows its audience and delivers exactly what that audience wants. It is not a great game, but it is not a bad one either. It is a solid, if shallow, experience that will please fans of the show and frustrate anyone looking for something deeper.
The game’s score sits at 5.8 out of 10, a middling mark that reflects its mixed identity. It is neither a triumph nor a failure, just a game that does not quite live up to its potential.
Here is how the game breaks down across its key elements:
- Characterization — strong, especially for the show’s main cast.
- Gameplay — adequate, but lacking depth.
- Presentation — competent, with dated technical rough edges.
- Originality — weak, relying heavily on the show’s premise.
- Value — modest, given its short length and narrow focus.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures is a game that fans of the show will likely enjoy, but it is a game that will not be remembered as anything special. It is a decent way to spend a few hours, and nothing more.
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