Retro Game: Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures

Overview

Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures is a radical and bizarre departure from everything the series was known for. Instead of a maze game, this is a unique side-scrolling, point-and-click adventure where you don't directly control the hero. Players act as an unseen guide, trying to influence a moody and often uncooperative Pac-Man to complete a series of everyday tasks that spiral into wacky adventures.

Background

Released by Namco in 1994 for the SNES and Sega Genesis, this game was a bold experiment. It attempted to flesh out Pac-Man as a character with a family (Ms. Pac-Man, Jr. Pac-Man, and Baby Pac-Man), a home, and a personality. The game's design is heavily influenced by traditional animated cartoons, focusing on situational comedy and character animation over high scores and fast action. It remains one of the most unique and divisive entries in the entire franchise.

Gameplay

The gameplay is entirely indirect. Players control a cursor and interact with the world using a slingshot. You can shoot objects in the environment to get Pac-Man's attention or trigger an event, or shoot Pac-Man himself to make him angry or snap him out of a bad mood. Pac-Man has his own AI and a mood meter; he might be happy, sad, angry, or frustrated, and his mood dictates how he will respond to your suggestions. The goal is to guide him through a series of quests, like getting milk for Baby Pac or finding a flower for his wife's birthday. Hidden throughout the game are cartridges that allow players to take a break and play the original, full versions of Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man.