The objective of PAC-MAN 256 - Endless Maze is to eat as many dots as possible while avoiding the ghosts, which can kill you on contact. Eating power pellets will briefly turn the ghosts blue and vulnerable, allowing you to eat them for extra points. In addition, you can collect power-ups that grant various bonuses, such as speed boosts, laser beams, bombs, invincibility, and more. Some power-ups can also help you clear the maze more efficiently, such as the magnet that attracts dots towards you or the freeze that slows down the ghosts and makes them easier to dodge. Certain power-ups have limited uses and must be recharged by collecting more dots or waiting for a cooldown.

The maze itself is procedural and randomly generated, meaning that each playthrough will be different. However, the basic layout and elements of the maze remain consistent: there are walls that restrict PAC-MAN's movement, corners where he can turn, intersections where he can choose his path, and checkpoints that mark his progress along the maze. The maze is also infinite, which means that PAC-MAN can keep going until he runs out of lives or makes a fatal mistake.

Scoring

The main goal of PAC-MAN 256 - Endless Maze is to score as high as possible, either for personal satisfaction or for bragging rights on the global leaderboards. Points are awarded for several actions in the game, such as eating dots, eating ghosts, collecting power-ups, and reaching new levels. The higher the score, the more stars you will earn, which can unlock new power-ups and mazes. Here are some tips to maximize your score:

1. Eat everything: The most basic way to earn points is to eat all the dots in sight. Each dot is worth 10 points, and they will add up quickly if you move efficiently and don't waste time. Try to create long chains of dots by following a specific path or by using power-ups that attract or multiply dots. Eating fruits and bells can also grant bonus points, but they appear less frequently and are often in harder-to-reach areas.

2. Eat ghosts strategically: Eating ghosts is not only fun but also rewarding, as each ghost is worth 200 points when blue and 1600 points when rainbow-colored. However, you can't eat ghosts all the time, and you shouldn't risk it if you're not confident in your skill or power-ups. To eat ghosts safely, you need to wait until you have collected a power pellet that turns them blue, then chase them and gobble them up before they turn back to normal. You can also eat multiple ghosts in a row for a combo bonus, which increases with each ghost eaten. Be aware that the higher your combo, the faster the ghosts will become, so don't be greedy and retreat if you feel overwhelmed.

3. Collect power-ups wisely: Power-ups can make a big difference in your score and survival, but you don't want to waste them by using them at the wrong time or in the wrong place. Some power-ups are more effective in certain situations, such as the laser beam that can clear a path ahead or the bomb that can destroy nearby obstacles and ghosts. Other power-ups are more useful for maintaining your momentum, such as the speed boost that can make you outrun the ghosts or the shield that can protect you from one hit. Experiment with different power-up combinations and strategies and try to predict which power-ups will spawn next based on your progress and the current maze layout.

4. Reach high levels: As you progress through the maze, the levels and the difficulty will increase. Each level is marked by a checkpoint that restores your health and shows your current score. The higher the level, the more dots and ghosts will spawn, and the more challenging the maze will become. However, the rewards for reaching high levels are also greater, as you will earn extra points, stars, and power-ups. Aim to reach at least level 100 to unlock the most powerful power-ups and to show off your skills.

Power-Ups

PAC-MAN 256 - Endless Maze features over a dozen power-ups that can aid you in your quest. Some power-ups are straightforward, while others require a bit of experimentation to master. Here is a list of all the power-ups and their effects:

- Magnetic Attractor: Collects all the dots in a small radius around you.
- Laser Beam: Shoots a straight beam that destroys any obstacle or ghost in its path.
- Ghost Vacuum: Sucks all nearby ghosts towards you and makes them vulnerable.
- Bomb: Explodes and destroys all nearby obstacles and ghosts.
- Shield: Provides immunity to one hit from a ghost or obstacle.
- Invincibility: Makes you invulnerable to all hazards for a short time.
- Freeze: Slows down all the ghosts in the maze for a short time.
- Speed Boost: Increases your movement speed for a short time.
- Multiply Dots: Doubles all the dots in the maze for a short time.
- Rainbow Power Pellet: Makes all ghosts rainbow-colored and worth extra points.
- Giant Pac-Man: Turns you into a giant PAC-MAN that can eat ghosts instantly.
- Jackpot: Grants a large amount of points and stars instantly.
- Siren: Attracts all nearby ghosts towards a specific point and makes them vulnerable.

Some power-ups have variants that modify their effects or durations. For example, the Magnetic Attractor can become the Mega Magnetic Attractor, which pulls in dots from a larger radius. The Laser Beam can become the Multi-Laser, which shoots three beams at once. The Bomb can become the Super Bomb, which has a larger blast radius. To unlock the variants, you need to collect enough stars and upgrade your power-up machine in the main menu.

Advanced Strategies

Once you have mastered the basics of PAC-MAN 256 - Endless Maze, you can start experimenting with more advanced strategies that can help you score even higher and survive longer. Here are some tips and tricks that can separate the casual players from the hardcore ones:

1. Memorize the maze patterns: Although the maze is randomized, there are certain patterns and obstacles that repeat frequently. For example, there are often long corridors that are ideal for speed boosts or magnet power-ups. There are also dead ends that can trap you if you're not careful. By memorizing these patterns and anticipating them, you can plan your route ahead and avoid unnecessary risks. Keep an eye on the corners and intersections, as they can offer multiple paths and shortcuts that can be exploited with the right power-up.

2. Use the corners to your advantage: The corners in the maze are not just for turning around; they can also be used to hide from the ghosts, especially when you have run out of power pellets or power-ups. By hugging the walls and corners, you can let the ghosts pass by without noticing you, or you can make them collide with each other and temporarily disable them. You can also use the corners to create traps for the ghosts, such as leading them into a dead end and then bombing them or using the giant PAC-MAN power-up.

3. Chain your power-ups: Some power-ups work better together than others, and some can even chain into each other for maximum effect. For example, using the laser beam to clear a path and then collecting the multiply dots power-up can result in a huge score boost. Using the freeze and the speed boost power-ups in quick succession can make you untouchable for a while. Using the ghost vacuum and the bomb power-ups can clear a large area of ghosts and obstacles. Experiment with different combinations and learn which power-ups complement each other.

4. Take risks when you can afford it: PAC-MAN 256 - Endless Maze is a game of risk and reward, and sometimes you need to take calculated risks to survive and score high. For example, if you have collected multiple power pellets and have a good combo going, you might want to chase down a group of ghosts and eat them all for a massive score boost. If you have a shield or invincibility power-up, you might want to charge through a group of ghosts and collect as many dots and power-ups as possible. If you have a lot of lives left, you might want to explore the edges of the maze and search for hidden power-ups or bonuses. Be aware of your surroundings and of your resources, and don't take unnecessary risks that could cost you a life or a high score.

Conclusion

PAC-MAN 256 - Endless Maze is a fun and addictive game that brings the classic PAC-MAN gameplay to a new generation of players. With its colorful graphics, catchy music, and infinite maze, the game offers a fresh take on the old formula while retaining its core mechanics and charm. Whether you're a casual player looking for a quick fix or a hardcore player looking for a challenge, PAC-MAN 256 - Endless Maze has something for everyone. By following the tips and tricks in this guide, you can improve your skill, score higher, and unlock all the content in the game. Good luck and happy munching!