Enough Time Has Passed, Where’s Pac-Man World 2 Re-PAC?

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The remake of Pac-Man World Re-PAC, to our delight, offered a superior rendition of the underappreciated PS1 platformer. Although we missed the dramatic scream of Pac-Man in the opening scene, this game was still an outstanding 2.5D platformer, comparable to Crash Bandicoot and Super Mario 3D Land.

Since then, there hasn’t been much progress or update, leaving us questioning if we’ll ever see the release of “Pac-Man World 2 Re-PAC“. Given that many fans consider World 2 as the finest installment in this series of platform games, the silence regarding its sequel has been disheartening.

Developing games can be quite intricate, and we value patience above all; however, we’re eagerly awaiting potential plans for a remake of this outstanding 3D platformer. With games such as Donkey Kong: Bonanza and Astro Boy generating buzz, we can only hope!

In contrast to the initial Pac-Man World game, which was a decent 2.5D platformer, Pac-Man World 2 transitioned into a complete 3D platformer. This version offered expansive levels for exploration, fitting perfectly within the gaming consoles of the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube era. Pac-Man retained his unique skills from the original game such as his butt stomp and energy balls. However, he now demonstrated these abilities in fully three-dimensional environments. The game’s exceptional level design showcased these skills effectively, providing ample opportunities for enjoyable traversal and platforming challenges.

Similar to its predecessor, Pac-Man World 2 offers a diverse gaming experience. Beyond the regular 3D platforming, it also features homages to various Namco arcade games, showcased through unique levels. These include maze stages reminiscent of the original Pac-Man games and spacecraft sections that echo Galaxian. For enthusiasts, unlockable content includes classic versions of Pac-Man titles like Ms. Pac-Man, Pac-Attack, and naturally, Pac-Man itself.

The second game seemed to build upon the foundations of the original quite nicely, offering expanded capabilities compared to its predecessor. However, this doesn’t imply that the initial game was poor in any way; rather, the follow-up made significant strides in areas that mattered most.

Despite any constructive feedback about the game, it lacks unique elements typically found in 3D platformers. Players who have explored numerous games within this category will recognize familiar themes, as World 2 doesn’t deviate from them at all. It excels in adhering to the genre’s standards, but what it offers is more of the same rather than anything new. However, lacking innovation isn’t necessarily a negative aspect.

It’s clear that the gaming industry has a lot of remakes and remasters these days, some of which might not be necessary according to gamers. The question arises as to why Bandai Namco is bringing back Pac-Man World 2 when they could focus on something new. However, it’s important to preserve games for future generations, and making popular titles like this more accessible isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Fans who found delight in the game Pac-Man World Re-PAC and are eager to give it a spin may find themselves unable to do so through legitimate channels. However, if you own a Steam Deck or one of those high-end Anbernic devices, playing this 3D classic isn’t entirely out of reach.

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2025-04-24 14:12