Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac is a high-quality remake of the original release, bringing the charming yellow hero back for another adventure. It is a faithful reimagining that stays true to the original while adding modern upgrades that make it feel right at home in today’s gaming landscape. If you are a fan of the Pac-Man adventure games, this is the definitive way to experience them.
The visuals in the remake deserve praise. Bandai Namco has refreshed them with colorful environments, well-modeled characters, and vibrant level designs. The controls have also been improved, offering more precision and tighter platforming. It is hard to view the remake in a negative light, but its strengths and weaknesses are tied to the foundation of the original game. In that sense, it does fall a bit short compared to other modern platformers.
The story is straightforward. The ghosts once again cause trouble, this time awakening an ancient evil sealed away long ago by Pac-Man’s ancestors using magical fruits. By tampering with the golden fruits, the ghosts unknowingly unleash this dark force, leaving Pac-Man’s home in ruins. This sets him off on a journey to stop the evil and restore peace, all introduced through a beautifully rendered opening cutscene.
I have never played the original games, so this was an entirely new experience for me. Having Pac-Man as a platformer made sense at one point for Bandai Namco, especially when Mario, Sonic, and Crash were at their peak. While Pac-Man is less popular compared to those icons now, there is no doubt these games were well-made and fun. They also gave Pac-Man a personality that you do not see in the arcade original, and the ghosts in particular come across like mischievous minions with their wacky antics and humor.
My main criticism is the level design. I liked the idea of a central hub in the form of a village where you can take part in some side activities, but the real focus is on the levels. These stages are very linear and not as engaging as those found in Crash, Mario, or Sonic. They are enjoyable to play through once, but they are extremely short and padded with hidden collectibles. There is also a speedrun incentive, but it never feels particularly rewarding or motivating.
The camera is hit-or-miss at times, and many missions end up feeling repetitive. The lack of variety in environments is another drawback, in my opinion, and the boss fights are simple hit-and-run encounters instead of battles that make clever use of Pac-Man’s abilities. There are a few unique mechanics, such as finding and using a power pellet to turn into a giant Pac-Man who can eat ghosts and break parts of the environment. Pac-Man can also jump, perform a charged jump that doubles as an attack, dash like Sonic, or throw pellets at enemies.
The game has a strong arcade feel, with a world map inspired by classic platformers. Most collectibles in the levels are fruits, which can be obtained by breaking objects, defeating enemies, or finding hidden switches that open new paths. The developers did make an effort to improve the boss fights, and while they are slightly more unique this time, they still feel more like filler leading up to the ending.
One notable improvement is the addition of voice acting. It adds charm to the characters and helps them stand out more. The budget-friendly pricing also makes it easier to pick up the game without spending too much. For fans of Pac-Man, this feels like a golden opportunity to see the iconic yellow hero return to platforming.
The PC port, however, is a bit of a letdown. The graphics menu is barebones and lacks many of the options that are now standard in PC titles. On the positive side, the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, holding a steady 60 FPS. The new voice lines are fun at first, but do become repetitive over time, which can get a little annoying. I was also not particularly fond of the arcade classics included in the game’s world. While they serve as neat easter eggs, they are far from the best way to experience these older titles.
Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac Game Information
- Price: $29.99
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Developer: Now Production
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
