Out today on Switch
Image: Bandai Namco
Bandai Namco is apparently making this summer one for PlayStation platforming remakes! Pac-Man World: Re-Pac is out today on Switch, and — following on from Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series — shows the Japanese developer is acknowledging and showing a little bit of love to some of our childhood favourites.
Early reviews have been dropping all week, and while we’re working on the NL verdict, we wanted to share what others think of Pac-Man’s return to 3D platforming. We’ll let you know what we think as soon as our review is up and ready!
So far, there’s only one Switch review at the time of writing this, from Pocket Tactics. The outlet gave the game a disappointing 5/10, saying that other platformers have already done everything that Pac-Man World does better:
“That’s the lingering question that I take away from playing Pac-Man World Re-Pac, the millionth-or-so remaster of a classic 3D platformer I’ve seen in the last couple of years, where exactly does the remaster train stop? I loved Donald Duck’s Quack Attack, another classic PS1-era platformer, but does it warrant a remaster? Spyro and Crash, I get, but when we’re reliving Pac-Man’s mediocre-to-good 3D adventure, I wonder whether the time and money might be better spent on a new IP.”
“Pac-Man World Re-Pac is a fun look Pac in time to an era where 3D platformers were far more prominent than they are today. While it doesn’t quite outclass some of its contemporaries like Crash Bandicoot Warped and Super Mario 64, Pac-Man World isn’t one to miss if you’re looking for another solid 3D platforming adventure.”
Destructoid felt similarly about the remake on PS5, also awarding it a 7/10:
“With the lower-key stakes (coupled with a lower-key $30 price point), and a firm consistency with level design, Pac-Man World Re-Pac still kept me interested throughout. I’m not sure Pac-Man World Re-Pac is going to lure in many more fans, but the ones it already had should be happy with this new packaging.”
God is a Geek reviewed the game on PC. They gave the remake a 6.5/10, citing the disappointing collectibles and underwhelming arcade-style levels don’t help Pac-Man to stand out from the pack:
“The level variety is certainly nice, but the fairly unimportant collectables and disappointing arcade-style levels let the game down. If you’re a fan of the hungry yellow puck you’ll probably have some fun with the remake, but don’t go thinking it’s an essential purchase otherwise.”
Digitally Downloaded brings us back to the PS5, and they gave Re-Pac a solid 8/10, acknowledging that it’s more for fans of the original and those nostalgic for ’90s 3D platformers:
“When I find that my complaints largely have to do with wishing there was more content in a game that is already perfectly sufficient, I know that I’ve had a good time. The original game sold 1.5 million units, was well-received by critics and justified a number of sequels. Bandai Namco is most justified in trying this on to see if there’s room to revive the Pac-Man World property.”
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Are you playing Pac-Man World: Re-Pac on Switch? Let us know what you think of the game in the comments!