PAC-MAN 256 Is a port of a free to play mobile game developed by Hipster Whale, the talented studio behind the very addictive Crossy Road.
This particular PAC-MAN title is based around the infamous level 256 glitch in the 1980’s classic, PAC-MAN. The glitch occurred when the player makes it to level 256, where the right-hand side of the screen would turn in to a jumble of letters and numbers.
This is a very unique take on the PAC-MAN formula where you will be challenged to continuously move upwards in a never ending battle with the maze, ghosts, power-ups and the infamous level 256 glitch that is following behind.
The aim of the game, like most PAC-MAN and arcade titles is to chase the highest score possible. There are many ways to increase the score multiplier as such as eating many ghosts in quick succession, as you would expect from a PAC-MAN title. The core mechanics that you would expect from a PAC-MAN game are here and they work well, controlling PAC-MAN feels as tight and responsive as ever.
Hipster Whale evolve some of the original core PAC-MAN gameplay elements; collecting 256 pac-dots in a row will erupt 256 pac-dot chain that explodes the screen in celebration all while eliminating all ghosts on the screen. I found myself obsessively attempting to earn the 256 pac-dot chain as it was both satisfying and rewarding.
Each ghost has their own idiosyncrasies where for example, the pink ghost will chase PAC-MAN if you appear in its line of sight, the orange ghost will continuously move down the screen while the blue ghost will always hug a maze wall and move in a counter-clockwise rotation. Learning how each ghost works is imperative to your success in PAC-MAN 256.
Unlike previous titles in the series, PAC-MAN 256 features an array of power-ups that add new elements of fun, tactics and hilarity as you see a large PAC-MAN stomping around the maze squishing ghosts like a out of control bulldozer.
Power-ups can be that can be upgraded using coins that are earned within the game and not purchased with real money, unlike the mobile counterpart. Upgrading a power-up will make it more powerful; for example, leveling up the Laser power-up will allow the laser to last longer, giving PAC-MAN more protection from those ever pesky ghosts. As well as earning them in game, you will be rewarded with free coin gifts at random intervals after several runs through the game. This makes this version of the game far more generous with the coins than the original mobile game.
On top of the generousness of the in-game currency; upgrade times have been significantly reduced from the mobile game. Within PAC-MAN 256 on mobile devices, it would take anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours to upgrade the power ups. In the PC version of the game, these updates happen instantaneously.
The audio should be commended as it sticks to the classic and iconic PAC-MAN sounds and music that PAC-MAN fans have come to love over the years. It does not feel outdated and in fact feels right at home in this zany take on the franchise.
A local multiplayer mode is also featured in the game where up to 4 players can share the same screen in a frenzy to earn the highest score. Unfortunately, no online multiplayer is available.
As expected, there is not much in the way of graphics options however the game can be played in both windowed and fullscreen with a range of different screen resolutions available to chose from. In-game effects can also be turned on or off.
A option to change the skin of each maze is available and this provided me with many extra hours of enjoyment as I waka-waka’d my way through a office, garden, classic 80’s PAC-MAN and even Crossy Road.
At £3.99, this game includes no micro-transactions, no advertisements and comes with all add-ons that were available for purchase in the games mobile version. If you have any interest in PAC-MAN or are just looking for a quick and fun time killer, I would need to recommend you check out PAC-MAN 256 and its unique take on the classic yellow icon.
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