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Escape From Castle Matsumoto looks like quite a unique one, and the developers give the Steam Deck some rather high praise. It's releasing with Native Linux support on December 5th.

In the game two shinobis race against each other to recover stolen items and escape a Japanese castle, using your wits and tricks to outsmart your opponent. What makes it interesting is the split-screen mechanic, along with the slick retro pixel-artwork that looks like it was inspired by the classic Spy vs. Spy.

Check out the trailer below:

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In an announcement on Steam the developer said: "Escape From Castle Matsumoto will be 100% Steam Deck compatible, including an official input layout. In fact, Steam Deck will be THE perfect platform for our game."

Could be a good one to keep an eye on!

More about it:

You will need to:

  • thoroughly search the castle to locate and collect all items

  • hinder your opponent's efforts by setting up tricks and obstacles

  • if necessary, challenge your opponent in a direct fight

Use all of your shinobi training to accomplish the mission:

  • ninja's tools: locks and smoke bombs

  • powerful spirits you can summon to guard items and passages

  • defensive remedies to break tricks set up by your opponent

  • martial arts if a direct confrontation becomes inevitable

Play against the CPU or another player, over split-screen or network.

Escape From Castle Matsumoto | Release Date: 4th December 2024

Official links and where to buy from:

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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5 comments

RavenWings a day ago
Looks nice. I never fully understood how to play the old Spy vs. Spy back in the day (I was VERY young when I played it on C64, probaply ~5 years old), but I found it to be very interesting and remember it as something really unique to this day.


Last edited by RavenWings on 31 October 2024 at 5:49 pm UTC
pb a day ago
I enjoyed Spy vs Spy and later Double Agent, so it looks like a game for me, but I doubt I will have anyone to play it with.


Last edited by pb on 31 October 2024 at 6:08 pm UTC
Purple Library Guy about 16 hours ago
When I think Spy vs Spy I think Mad magazine . . . there was a game?
Chrisznix about 6 hours ago
Quoting: Purple Library GuyWhen I think Spy vs Spy I think Mad magazine . . . there was a game?
Yes, it was based on the comic from the Mad Magazine. Even the gameplay was a little bit off, so they did it quite well. :)
wvstolzing about 2 hours ago
Yeah, this triggered the right sort of response from me as well, as a C64 kid.

The trailer did look kind of familiar though; then the youtube video suggestions at the end of the trailer did show the links I vaguely remembered seeing earlier:

Tech demo of the engine, by the same devs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfJmOQcLgB8

There's a ~2yr. old free demo on steam using the same engine:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2128440/Enclosure_3D/

Those are more in an AGI Sierra style, though.
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