By The Pac is back… yet again
Version Assessed: PS5 (Standard) / European
- review by Brett Posner-Ferdman
While primarily recognized for his arcade origins, Pac-Man’s PlayStation legacy is arguably most characterized by the Pac-Man World trilogy.
After the 2022 remake of the original Pac-Man World, many fans were curious if Pac-Man World 2 would receive similar treatment. Three years later, Now Production and Bandai Namco have come together to revamp what is frequently regarded as the finest installment of the trilogy.
Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is as quintessential a 3D platformer as one can find. You’ll be sprinting, leaping, and consuming pellets across predominantly corridor-based levels. Most, if not all, of the game’s 25 main stages have been altered in some fashion compared to the original.
However, this change comes with the drawback of levels now being considerably more inflated. Coupled with a lack of engaging level landmarks, particularly during the initial stages, levels can often feel prolonged and endlessly drawn out.
The same applies to the bosses, which have all undergone significant changes, or in certain cases, been entirely replaced from the original. Yet again, with most bosses requiring six or more strikes to defeat, every battle becomes too lengthy and monotonous.
Most notable modifications in this remake are aimed at extending the game’s notoriously brief five-hour playtime.
Each level now features three missions to accomplish, granting a new outfit for Pac-Man to don. There are also new collectible statues obtainable through a gachapon system, which can be used to embellish your Pac-Village.
Furthermore, remixed iterations of the main game’s levels are unlocked for extra post-game content, along with a new time trial feature. While a nice addition, these updates simply serve as reasons to revisit levels you’ve already completed repeatedly, rather than offering genuinely new adventures.
It’s evident from the enhanced production quality and fresh voice acting that Pac-Man World Re-Pac 2 is aspiring to provide a more comprehensive experience than its predecessor. Yet similar to Pac-Man World Re-Pac, it remains a largely ordinary game that often feels remarkably outdated.
Enthusiasts of 3D platformers will likely have a decent experience with it, especially if they appreciated the original, but enough annoyances prevent this game from being an effortless recommendation.
For nearly a decade, Brett has operated as a critic for numerous gaming outlets, including both Push Square and Nintendo Life. Brett first experienced a PlayStation 2 nearly 20 years ago and has been a dedicated advocate for Sony ever since. He enjoys platformers, action/adventure titles, and fighting games, although he’s also known to dabble in the occasional captivating RPG, such as Persona 5.