GAME CLEAR No. 86 -- Pac-Man World

Pac-Man World (1999, PlayStation)

Developer: Namco Hometek
Publisher: Namco
Clear Platform: PlayStation, PlayStation 2
Clear Date: 3/19/22

Pac-Man is one of those guys that’s just always sort of there. Namco’s mascot will likely never again occupy the lofty position he attained in the public consciousness with his 1980 debut, but he still seems to get games every couple years of varying quality, and I’d say he deserves at least that much.

Pac-Man World brings a little intrigue to the table as being the official 20th Anniversary game of the franchise. Indeed, that is even acknowledged in-universe as part of the plot. The denizens of Pac-World are excited to celebrate this milestone with the eponymous protagonist, but antagonist and Pac-Man impostor “Toc-Man” is having none of it. He kidnaps Pac-Man’s entire family (including his fucking dog), and it’s up to Pac-Man to save the day.

Pac-Man World takes the form of a 3D mascot platformer at a time when that was all the rage. It’s a shame, too, because it’s a pretty bland one! It’s got a big hub world called Ghost Island from which Pac-Man can enter the various stages of the game. There are five themed worlds with a few stages each, and one of Pac-Man’s family members is imprisoned in each. Pac-Man can jump, of course, but he can also rev up for a dash attack and do the classic butt-bounce/ground pound.

I wish I could tell you what the levels were like, but frankly I already forgot. This game just ain’t memorable. But suffice it to say that if you make it through all of ’em, you get to battle Toc-Man, and if you defeat him you save the day. Yay.

Gonna keep this post short and just say you should play Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness instead. It’s a much cooler modernization of the Pac-Man concept that leans into what made the franchise unique rather than being just another platformer.

Since I beat this game, I’ve grabbed its two PS2-era sequels, and I’m hoping they’ll be a little better!