Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is a fantastic remix of the classic Pac-Man formula. Though it’s nothing like the Pac-Man you know and love, it’s incredibly fun if you’re looking for a new experience.
Pac Man Championship Edition 2
Developer: Namco Bandai
Price: $19.99
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
MonsterVine was provided with a PS4 code for review
Remixed arcade games are nothing new in today’s video game ecosystem. Games like NES Remix, the Mega Man Legacy Collection, and the first Pac-Man Championship Edition have been around for years, with many of the titles serving as fun new ways to play classic games. Unlike the previously listed games, Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 makes a bold move by changing its source’s core gameplay. Championship Edition 2 is an exciting and visually stimulating experience. If you’re looking for the classic Pac-Man experience, steer clear of this one.
To address the elephant in the room, running into ghosts will not kill you. In this way, Championship Edition 2 completely changes the Pac-Man formula in a controversial way. This is a radical change for a Pac-Man game. Rather than killing you, running into a ghost will anger them. While the first hit will simply bump you backwards, the next one, when done quickly enough, will put the ghost into an angry state. Only in this state can a ghost kill you, alongside gaining enhanced speed and a slightly larger sprite.
This huge shift in gameplay takes getting used to, but once you’re used to the changes, Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is a lot of fun. There are two main modes to play: Score Attack and Adventure. Score Attack is a more traditional series of Pac-Man levels, while Adventure mode has you play select levels with certain goals and challenges in place. Both of these modes can be fun, but Score Attack stands out most.
Score Attack has a number of different levels and difficulties, where your goal is to go as far as possible, or to beat one of the enormous boss ghosts. Not having to avoid ghosts as adamantly adds a new layer of strategy to the game, as you’ll sometimes have to ram into the ghosts in order to complete an objective in time. These changes in strategy will keep you on your toes at first as you navigate through each level type, but once you inevitably adapt to the changes, Championship Edition 2 becomes less exciting.
Adventure mode is alright, but too similar to Score Attack to avoid being repetitive. While racing against the clock or trying to accomplish certain goals can be fun, the levels and goals quickly become old, meaning there’s very little reason to play it after you’ve unlocked all of the content linked to the mode.
Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is visually gorgeous. Switching mazes in each level is more exciting than it should be, as Pac-Man hops towards the screen, and back while changing between a pixel-based 3D model and his regular sprite. The backgrounds for each level are strangely soothing, thanks to the always-moving transformative patterns that change with each maze. Complimented wonderfully by the music, the colorful backgrounds and levels mesh together in an explosive and immensely satisfying burst of energy.
The levels have an impressive level of customization, with sprites and mazes that honour the many looks that the Pac-Man franchise has taken on over the years. You can switch between more classic-looking 8-bit sprites, or HD smoothly drawn sprites, with even the ships from Galaga as unlockable sprites. Even the maze walls are swappable, with plenty of colors and aesthetics available. There are plenty of widely-varied options to unlock, which keeps the game interesting for fans of Pac-Man.
The sound in Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is exciting but largely forgettable. While the electric and fast-paced music fits the visuals as you play, you won’t remember the vast majority of it once you turn the game off. On the other hand, the refreshingly vintage sound effects are as memorable as ever, which adds a layer of excitement to an already speedy game.
The Final Word
Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is a fun variation of the classic Pac-Man formula you know and love. While the music is repetitive, and the gameplay is definitely divisive, those looking for a new type of Pac-Man game will find a lot to enjoy thanks to the stunning visuals and intense gameplay that Championship Edition 2 provides.
– MonsterVine Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – Fair
