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Games : Recommended
Ranking:
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Release Date: September 13th, 2016 Movie Release Year: 2016

Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2

Overview -

Pac-Man is one of the most recognizable mascots in gaming and hardly needs an introduction, but the 'Championship Edition' franchise is probably not as well known. It began in 2007 with a game specially created by 'Pac-Man' dev Toru Iwatani for the first World Championship. 'Championship Edition' was followed up in 2010 by 'Pac-Man: Championship Edition DX', a very similar game by Chinese studio Mine Loader Software with a few new mechanics and no input from Iwatani (who has since retired) and a title update upgrading it to 'DX+'. 'Championship Edition 2' is once again developed in-house by series publisher Bandai Namco and is available for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.

OVERALL:
Recommended
Rating Breakdown
VIDEO
AUDIO
Tech Specs & Release Details
Release Date:
September 13th, 2016

Video Review

Ranking:

'Pac-Man' has a sleeker presentation than ever, with more rounded edges and a high degree of translucence. The effects are top-notch in their effervescent, bubbly simplicity. Different backgrounds, models, and camera angles can be selected for each playthrough, a mostly cosmetic change but one that could help some players with visibility or tracking issues (the sleepy ghosts in particular can be hard to distinguish). The framerate holds up even during the most insane of levels.

Audio Review

Ranking:

Bandai Namco kept the audio effects more to the arcade script than the other aspects of the game, with good reason. Most of the sounds still feel like they could be emanating from an eighties wooden cabinet. The music on the other hand has been overhauled to a more modern dance quality, remixed into 'DDR'-like tracks that, like the backgrounds, can be selected by the player. They're not excellent but the fast rhythm adds some ambiance to the mania on the grid.

Final Thoughts

This is not your father's 'Pac-Man'. 'Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2' is faster and busier, and the purity of the original has been sacrificed for variety and a more forgiving difficulty level. That being said, it's still a great score attack game, one that I will be enjoying whenever I'm in need of an hour or so of sparkly, candied arcade goodness.