Pac‑Man’s maze was one of those first real “smart” designs that felt a bit like a city map – lots of streets, alleys, and a big central square. The designer, Masahiro Sakurai, built it so you could navigate like a human walking through a maze, not just a robot following straight lines. The right‑angle turns and the central hub let players anticipate paths, feel a sense of control, and have that little “aha!” moment when they spot the perfect route. That human‑friendly feel stuck around because it’s the sweet spot between challenge and playability. Modern puzzle games borrow that shape because it gives players an intuitive feel for movement and strategy, and the layout lends itself to endless variations—think Tetris‑style block drops or matching puzzles where you slide pieces around a maze. The layout’s simplicity and clarity make it a timeless template, like a classic arcade coin that keeps pulling in new players.