Pac-Man World Re-Pac

Pac-Man World is back and Re-Pac'd in a new remake of the delightful 1999 adventure for the original PlayStation so let's jump to it.

Pac-Man World Re-Pac is an enjoyable remake of the PS1 original with a charming presentation and gameplay that holds up well, although the price tag is a little much.

PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC brings the cult classic 1999 platformer to modern platforms, complete with a substantial graphical overhaul and fine-tuned mechanics. Although the experience holds up well enough today next to modern platformers, the somewhat barebones nature of the remake may not make it worth returning to for nostalgic fans.

Pac-Man might not be your typical platforming protagonist, but he’s earned his chance to shine – and Pac-Man World Re-Pac certainly gives him that opportunity. This remake of a forgotten gem has “wholesome fun” written all over it thanks to its bright and bold art style, its well-designed levels and its wealth of collectibles waiting to be hoovered up. If you’re a 3D platforming fan, make sure this is on your radar.

For anyone looking for traditional Pac-Man, you’re better off with something like Pac-Man Museum+. However, if you are hungry for some 3D platforming, or just want to relive old times, Pac-Man World Re-Pac should be enough to keep you invested until the credits roll. Sure, it’s not up there with the likes of Mario, but it’s a part of Pac-Man’s own unique history as one of the video game industry’s leading mascots that we’re happy to welcome back with open arms.

Following on from last month's release of Klonoa: Phantasy Reverie Series, Bandai Namco has come back with an update of another one of its PS1 classics: 1999’s Pac-Man World. Sadly, unlike Klonoa, this is a remake of just the first game, rather than a remastered collection including the two PS2 sequels. Thankfully, Pac-Man World Re-Pac stands on its own as a solid platformer and a modernised version of one of the most interesting experiments in Pac-Man history.

As a remake, Pac-Man World Re-Pac definitely ticks plenty of boxes when it comes to transforming an older game into one that fits into the present gaming landscape. The platforming is solid, the presentation is up to snuff, and there is no beating nostalgia sometimes. The game is unlikely to garner a new following save for a curious bunch, and is purely aimed at hardcore Pac-Man fans who are looking for something new yet old to enjoy, yet, that is not such a bad thing after all.

With the lower-key stakes (coupled with a lower-key $30 price point), and a firm consistency with level design, Pac-Man World Re-Pac still kept me interested throughout. I’m not sure Pac-Man World Re-Pac is going to lure in many more fans, but the ones it already had should be happy with this new packaging. It’s a workhorse of a mascot platformer: one that was understandably passed by, but is still worth talking about.

Oh, and on a smaller note, Ms. PAC-MAN from the original was replaced with PAC-MOM in this game, and the very enjoyable CGI cutscenes from the original were chucked out for a style closer to the PAC-MAN Disney cartoon. While I understand why these changes were made, I can’t help but feel a slight tinge of disappointment at losing such a precious intro.

I have to appreciate Bandai Namco’s recent attempts at reviving older IPs from the Namco side of its name. Even though I wasn’t the big fan of the Klonoa remasters, the sole fact Bamco gave that dormant franchise another shot was commendable. I feel like the same can be said about PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC. At its core, it’s not exactly the best of platformers available on modern consoles. But this is a straight up remake of a PS1 cult classic, a way to revive a glorious period of Pac-Man‘...

A competent, if unwarranted, remake of an amiable 90s platformer that most people have long since forgotten – if they’re even aware it existed in the first place.

I suspect that people with fondness for the original Pac-Man World, or even just this specific era of platforming games will be the ones who get the most from RePac. It's a style of game that has been out of fashion for a while, but it's simplicity could still hold some appeal. When you can get lovingly re-created versions of the standard-setting Crash Bandicoot series for the price of this though, the value proposition for a remaster of one fairly short and unremarkable game is hard to swallow. One for the fans.