Pac-side is a horror reinterpretation of a classic maze-chase game, putting players in a dark, enclosed world where movement must be quick and choices must be immediate. Instead of controlling a bright character from above, you are now in first-person view, lost inside twisting corridors that echo with footsteps and unsettling sound cues. The only objective is to collect enough pellets scattered around the maze to unlock an exit—but the longer you stay, the more dangerous the space becomes.

A Familiar Maze Turned Hostile

The layout might feel familiar, with long hallways and tight corners, but everything is warped into something more sinister. Each pellet collected triggers a sound that builds tension, as if your progress is being watched. The visuals blur between retro and surreal, with walls occasionally glitching or shifting under pressure. There’s no combat and no HUD to guide you. You’re alone in the dark, one sound at a time, chased by a force that grows more aggressive the closer you get to your goal.

During your run through the maze, you’ll need to:

•         Navigate through narrow passages with no clear map
•         Collect enough pellets to activate the level exit
•         Avoid backtracking into dead ends
•         Use environmental sounds to guess the pursuer’s location
•         Time your final escape before the enemy catches you

Each decision is made under pressure, with mistakes often leading to a fast end.

A Relentless Opponent

The enemy in Pac-side isn’t just dangerous—it’s persistent. Shaped like a twisted echo of the classic Pac-Man figure, it roams the maze with growing speed. It doesn’t appear all at once but instead builds presence slowly through sound. A distant rumble, a sudden red glow at the end of a hallway—these are the only warnings you get. Once spotted, there’s no fighting back. The only option is to run, navigate smartly, and avoid open paths where you can be cornered.

Style And Experience

The game’s low-res aesthetic and minimal lighting give it a haunting atmosphere. There’s barely any color, and the maze feels empty in the worst possible way. Audio design is at the core of the experience: every step, every chomp, and every echo feeds into your growing paranoia. There’s no music—only sound loops and sudden distortions as the monster grows closer. The game’s length is short, but the tension lasts the entire time.

Pac-side reimagines a simple arcade idea into something claustrophobic and unpredictable. With no weapons, no help, and a constantly growing threat, the game becomes a race not just against the enemy but against your own fear. It plays with memory, movement, and awareness—rewarding players who stay calm even when the sound of footsteps is no longer theirs.