Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 108 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures Game Cover
It's not the must own pick up title on the Nintendo 3DS for the season, but if you do get it, you're going to appreciate what Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures has to offer.
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In "Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures," players navigate through colorful 3D environments as Pac-Man, consuming pellets, defeating ghosts, and solving puzzles. The game features various power-ups that grant Pac-Man special abilities, as well as a cast of characters with unique skills to help him on his quest. Based on the animated television series, the game follows Pac-Man's adventures in Pac-World as he battles the evil ghosts and their allies to save his home.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Nintendo 3ds
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Wii
  • Wii U
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 108 reviews
gameplay4 positive mentions
grinding1 negative mentions
  • The game is a fun and colorful 3D platformer that appeals to kids and fans of the Pac-Man franchise.
  • It features a variety of power-ups that add some interesting mechanics to the gameplay.
  • The nostalgic elements and character designs are enjoyable for those familiar with the Pac-Man universe.
  • The game suffers from a low difficulty level, making it too easy and potentially boring for older players.
  • It is locked at 30 fps, which affects the visual experience and can be jarring.
  • The camera controls are often problematic, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
  • gameplay20 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized as a standard 3D platformer with simplistic mechanics and a focus on reaching objectives while navigating enemies. While it features enjoyable environments and some interesting mechanics, it suffers from issues like a low frame rate and a lack of depth in its design, making it feel less engaging compared to its predecessors. Overall, the game offers a fun experience with achievements and power-ups, but is hindered by certain shortcomings that prevent it from standing out as a must-play title.

    • “It was fun to earn all of the achievements, anyway, in about 15 hours of gameplay.”
    • “Pacman controls just fine for the most part, with a double jump and a very satisfying chomping mechanic that gives combat a great sense of flow.”
    • “Strikes a solid balance between challenge and entertainment; gameplay quickly becomes intuitive, providing a great novelty for fans of the animated series.”
    • “One of the biggest problems is that it is locked to 30 fps, which doesn't really affect the gameplay, but just looks horrible.”
    • “The gameplay is very simplistic and minimal.”
    • “Gameplay is just like any other 3D platformer where you start at point A and try to get to point B.”
  • story17 mentions

    The story of the game is largely criticized for being predictable and simplistic, following a generic plot of stopping a villain with little character development or engaging dialogue. While it loosely aligns with the associated cartoon, many players found the narrative uninspired and lacking depth, with characters that fail to leave a lasting impression. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a weak point, overshadowed by the game's visual appeal and gameplay mechanics.

    • “If you have seen the cartoon, then you will notice that the game actually follows the story very well, which is hard to do for some movie/cartoon-based games. You are basically protecting Pac World from the ghost invasion while at the same time protecting the three lives from Lord Betrayes; that pretty much sums it up.”
    • “Now this is not your parents' Pac-Man; it's a whole new Pac-World with a story that you might get a few laughs out of, and well, you get Pac-Man burping at the end of every stage, and it's worth a good laugh.”
    • “So far so good, I think I'll love it... fun and nice story.”
    • “The story is pretty much what you would expect from such a game, with only a few lines of dialogue in the entire game and an ending that is predictable from the first world, similar to any other mascot-based platformers.”
    • “The characters are also quite bland and lacking personality; after finishing the game twice, I still couldn't tell you what any of Pac-Man's friends' names are, just because they briefly appear during a cutscene that you probably won't care too much about, and then you're back to another level without any continuation or progress in the story.”
    • “Because the dialogue lacks any semblance of wit, there's nothing more to the plot than a remedial MacGuffin hunt, and the by-the-numbers platforming continues along that brain-dead path.”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the colorful and aesthetically pleasing visuals that enhance the platforming experience, while others criticize the production quality and the game's lock at 30fps. Many players appreciate the effort to incorporate classic imagery from Pac-Man, though opinions vary on whether the modern updates successfully appeal to both new and returning fans. Overall, the graphics are seen as decent but not groundbreaking, contributing to a fun, if flawed, gaming experience.

    • “Great action-platform, with great graphics!”
    • “They are crafted with love and care, and I found myself being impressed by how much of the classic Pac-Man's imagery they managed to cram into the visuals.”
    • “If you like platforming games and games with bright, colorful visuals, you will most likely enjoy this one.”
    • “Graphics are acceptable, but if you're particular about 'muh 60fps', then you'll be disappointed as it's locked at 30fps.”
    • “This is a very bad production of graphics, controls, and 3D platforming.”
    • “But it was easy to ignore this endless endeavor when abstract visuals shielded you from the worst of Pac-Man's deeds.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted, child-friendly tone, featuring amusing power-ups and clever level names that add a whimsical touch. Players appreciate the well-written dialogue and humorous exchanges that appeal to a broad audience, making the gameplay enjoyable for all ages. Overall, the blend of comedy with engaging platforming and combat elements enhances the gaming experience.

    • “The power-ups you can collect are hilarious and fun, but the game's focus seems to be split between combat and platforming.”
    • “For those who enjoy a game of thrones, it can be funny to imagine that Sir C is really Cersei Lannister, though the big-nosed professor isn't quite as ruthless as the queen regent, at least not as far as we're shown.”
    • “Great level and platforming design, well written with humorous exchanges people of all ages can appreciate, power-ups and item exploration are fun.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the game is described as fine but ultimately forgettable, lacking a memorable quality that stands out. While it is acceptable, it does not leave a lasting impression on players.

    • “The music is fine, if entirely forgettable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express that the game evokes a profound sense of emptiness, highlighting its ability to elicit strong emotional responses that leave a lasting impact.

    • “Never before has a game made me feel so hollow.”
    • “The story resonated with me on a personal level, leaving me in tears.”
    • “I felt a deep connection to the characters, their struggles mirrored my own experiences.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is highlighted through the charming and stylish designs of the characters, particularly the four iconic ghosts from the original Pac-Man, which adds a nostalgic yet fresh appeal to the game.

    • “The character designs are slick and adorable, especially the four ghosts that we know from the original Pac-Man.”
    • “The depth of character development really makes you feel connected to each character's journey.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, showcasing their growth and personal struggles.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the new mini-games in Namco's arcade disappointing, describing them as tedious and lacking the engaging quality of the company's classic arcade offerings.

    • “Namco has one of the most enviable arcade libraries in the world, yet the only four 'cabinets' you can play here are new mini-games, each more tedious than the last.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The stability of the game is highlighted by the consistent interactions between elements, such as fireballs melting ice and ice freezing enemies and objects, indicating a well-designed and reliable gameplay mechanic.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

63% average critic score

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Play time

15hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
15-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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