Bandai Namco came to Summer Game Fest 2025 with a strong lineup of upcoming titles. From action RPGs, roguelites to a surreal Pac-Man spin-off with swords and mechs, the publisher showed off both expected sequels and surprising genre twists. Here’s a roundup of everything we saw from Bandai Namco at SGF.
Code Vein 2
Developer: Bandai Namco
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC (Steam)
Code Vein 2 presentation at Summer Games Fest was primarily a visual presentation, with small bits of gameplay shown. While I wasn’t able to get the best sense of how the gameplay compares to the original, I did get to learn about the new features and story. The story is set in a new world, following a time-traveling Revenant, who works with you, a Revenant Hunter, to travel back in time 100 years in the past, to attempt and reverse the sealing that destroyed the world. Time travel informs how you traverse the world in the present, with changes in the past showing up in the future to unveil new dungeons. The world is larger and more open, with a motorcycle to explore. While the hardcore action genre has gotten quite crowded since the first game, I’m interested enough in Code Vein 2 that I would like to play it, but I need to feel how the combat plays before I can truly judge it. (James)
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree
Developer: Brownies Inc.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is an isometric roguelite with a gorgeous art style. I got to play a bit of the game, including playing two of the eight characters. You choose two characters to take with you on a run, a primary that you play, and a secondary that assists you with spells. Each character has different attack patterns, including two swords, which lose durability as you fight, forcing you to swap between them.
The combat feels fast and just difficult enough to provide a challenge without feeling brutally punishing. The selection of roguelite upgrades presented to me felt a bit bland, mostly focused on increasing damage numbers, but I was told the demo had a limited selection. The meta progression includes not only upgrading the eight different characters with new skills and passive boosts, but also a sword forging mechanic. While I didn’t get to see it, I was told that you can get new passives for the weapons, increase damage, and sacrifice durability and vice versa, allowing you to tailor the weapons to your playstyle. Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree launches on September 18. (James)
Shadow Labyrinth
Developer: Bandai Namco
Platforms: PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Shadow Labyrinth is a 2D action platformer that’s a darker take on Pac-Man and is an immediate follow-up to the Secret Level Pac-Man episode. I was given 15 minutes to play the hands-on demo, serving as an introduction to the gameplay and world. You play as Swordsman No. 8 and are accompanied by PUCK, a floating yellow orb. Puck aids traversal and combat, like riding on previously inaccessible surfaces and consuming enemies. The Swordsman is outfitted with a sword and a grappling hook, and dash-based movements allow you to navigate through the precise platforming challenges and explore the various biomes.
It’s clear that Shadow Labyrinth pays homage to classic Bandai Namco titles, with one section being Dig-Dug-inspired. Both exploration and combat felt satisfying to play and provided an engaging loop of collecting, unlocking new abilities, and challenging encounters. The demo ended with a boss encounter that led me to transform into a mech and do some heavy damage. I was intrigued by the strange concept and can’t wait to play more. Shadow Labyrinth releases July 18. (Will)
