For those who’re a fan of Pac-Man, you’re in luck. On Could 9, Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs (not the catchiest identify, is it?) hits PC and all main consoles. The web-only multiplayer launch is a battle royale recreation the place 64 gamers battle to outlive throughout interconnected mazes. It’s a chaotic use of the Pac-Man system that followers of the collection ought to get pleasure from.
If all of this sounds oddly acquainted, it’s as a result of the sport initially launched almost 4 years in the past … as a now-lost Google Stadia unique.
Initially launched on November 17, 2020, Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle was touted as certainly one of Stadia’s key exclusives. Like so many different video games, it was almost misplaced to time when Stadia shuttered on January 18, 2023. Because it was a real unique for the service, it appeared like followers would by no means get an opportunity to play it once more. Fortunately, it’s again. And that’s excellent news, as a result of the newly up to date model is a enjoyable multiplayer curiosity that deserved a second probability.
In Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle, 64 gamers chomp via mazes concurrently and battle to be the final Pac standing. That concept could be explored later within the Nintendo Change unique Pac-Man 99 (one other recreation that’s now defunct), however the concept is rather more profitable right here. The massive distinction is that gamers get extra alternatives to work together with each other. At totally different intervals, paths will open that result in rival gamers’ mazes. Gamers can mess with each other, stealing their worthwhile fruits or gobbling up each other’s energy pellets. It’s all a bit extra tense and cutthroat than the comparatively lonely Pac-Man 99.
It’s additionally a bit extra complicated. There’s loads occurring on display screen, and the in-game tutorial solely explains a lot. Energy-ups can seem in mazes occasionally. Some are simple, like an merchandise that freezes ghosts (and every other people within the maze) in place. Others aren’t terribly effectively defined, which might make early battles really feel just a little hectic. Its scoring system might be exhausting to determine too, because it’s not initially clear if gamers must get the very best rating to win or survive. An odd mission system that provides gamers sure duties to finish solely clutters it extra.
Whereas there’s a studying curve right here, Chomp Champs is sweet enjoyable when you get a way of the way it all works. The core Pac-Man gameplay is as tight because it must be and it has a inventive method of ramping up in complexity. Anytime gamers clear a board, the problem rises. The ghost AI will get smarter and the maze turns into trickier to navigate. That infuses some rising stress into battles as the ultimate gamers might want to showcase some severe abilities to outwit each other.
My greatest match got here all the way down to a protracted one-on-one duel the place my rival and I spent a superb 10 minutes battling it out in a single maze. I stored attempting to bait them into corners so I may seize an influence pellet and chomp away certainly one of their lives. It’s ruthless enjoyable, although the endgame can drag as soon as it’s down to 2 equally expert gamers who don’t die simply (power-ups like further lives drag that point out much more). It’s not probably the most elegant model of Pac-Man, nevertheless it’s an important take a look at of endurance for execs.
As a re-release, Chomp Champs doesn’t deliver too many new concepts to the desk. It’s a reasonably stripped-down multiplayer bundle with one core mode, a ranked playlist, and a few cosmetics to purchase with cash earned from enjoying. The brand new model does add crossplay assist, although, which ought to assist it attain a extra constant participant depend than Stadia ever may. Its $20 price ticket does really feel a contact excessive for what’s supplied right here, however there’s some stable multiplayer motion to be discovered right here for many who wish to dive in.
Even when it’s not a revelatory Pac-Man recreation, I’m thrilled to see Mega Tunnel Battle rescued from Stadia jail. Stadia’s sudden shutdown in 2023 created a real preservation disaster for video games like this. Each unique on the platform deserved to make its solution to trendy platforms, however that’s in the end as much as builders to resolve if it’s well worth the sources. Within the case of Mega Tunnel Battle, I’d say the trouble is price it once you’re coping with certainly one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Right here’s hoping that Pac-Man 99 can discover new life someday, too.
Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs launches on Could 9 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Collection X/S, Nintendo Change, and PC.
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