Return of the Pac - Pac-Man World Repac Review
Developer: Namco Hometek/Now Production
Platform: PS5 | Playtime: 5:55
I always intended to return to Re-Pac after trying and bouncing off it three years ago. This summer was going to be the occasion anyways but an announcement of a Pac-Man World 2 Repac coming in September brought this to the top of my list. Not sure why I gave up last time – Pac-Man World Re-Pac is a simple but surprisingly fun platformer.
So the game starts with Pac-Man’s friends and family putting together a surprise party for his 20th birthday (though in the remake I suppose it’s his 43rd) but one by one they are kidnapped by Ghosts in slapstick comedic ways. Later on Pac-Man stumbles upon the now ruined party, his only lead is an invite to Ghost Iisland to celebrate the birthday of the mysterious Tock-Man. Without delay, Pac-Man sets off.
Ghost Island consists of six zones, each of them containing 3 levels and a boss fight, unlocked sequentially. The player does have the choice of 3 zones from the start before progressing but every level needs to be beaten before progressing. Each level just requires getting from A-B so there’s not too much stress. The game is technically 3D but primarily operates on left-right level design with a minor amount of depth of field for platforming and exploring – it’s just enough, not open but not a 2D sidescroller either.
Pac-Man’s moveset may seem basic on first look but it’s used for both combat and traversal. Pac-Man can butt stomp enemies as well as using it as a way to gain extra height when platforming. The Rev-Roll can take out enemies but is also used to jump ramps and power up Rev switches to open doors and move platforms. Collected Pac Pellets can be thrown at enemies which gives them a use beyond the points system.
In each level, the player can collect each of the individual letters of P A C M A N which unlocks a bonus level. Collecting a Galaxian symbol allows the player to enter a small classic Pac-Man maze in the levels theming. Finally special keys allow Pac-Man to free his captured family members, although the key may not necessarily be in the same level. Freeing each family member gives the player extra health in the final boss fight and freeing all six unlocks a new ‘Good’ ending (One that wasn’t in the original)
The boss fights here are fine enough, 4 of the six are normal gameplay while two are something different entirely. The last boss is a little challenging and one of the first three bosses - Anubis Rex - might still be a run ender for some people. Improved from the original release but still easily the games sharpest difficulty spike.
Simple but fun and effective is how I’d describe Re-Pac, which has held up surprisingly well at it’s core. I didn’t 100% because heck the original Pac-Man but fans of platformers and or the original game will find something they like.
