Section 4: Gameplay & Modes
The Ghosts
The four ghosts are not random. Each uses a distinct targeting rule, which is why the game is learnable rather than luck-based:
- Blinky pursues Pac-Man directly, and speeds up as dots are eaten.
- Pinky targets ahead of Pac-Man rather than at him.
- Inky uses both Pac-Man's position and Blinky's, making him the least predictable.
- Clyde chases when far away and retreats when close.
Scatter and Chase
Ghosts alternate between chase and scatter phases on a timer, retreating to their home corners during scatter. Learning these cycles is the foundation of pattern play.
Power Pellets
- Eating one turns the ghosts blue and vulnerable for a limited time.
- Ghosts reverse direction the moment a pellet is eaten.
- An eaten ghost returns to the centre as eyes and regenerates.
- The vulnerable period shortens as levels progress, and eventually stops working altogether.
Fruit
Bonus items appear beneath the ghost house at intervals, worth increasing points by level.