Escape From Castle Matsumoto is an arcade game developed by mausimus and Chris "Joker" Femo for PC. Set in the medieval period of Japan, the narrative follows the story of a young shinobi who must retrieve the treasures of the Imperial family stolen by an evil daimyo lord.  

Inspired by the old-school 1980s titles in terms of graphics, Escape From Castle Matsumoto delivers a historical playthrough that focuses on martial arts and heists, allowing players to come up to strategize by utilizing combat playstyles. Although it might have outdated visuals, the game offers action-filled gameplay. 

Bring honor to the clan 

In a bid to take over the crown, an ambitious daimyo lord steals the Imperial family of Japan’s treasures, hiding them in the depths of his castle. You must take the role of a young shinobi here in Escape From Castle Matsumoto, retrieve the stolen treasures, and return them to their rightful owner to bring forth honor to your clan.  

Search thoroughly, though. A shinobi from another clan is on the same mission, trying to take the honor for himself and his clan. Set traps and obstacles on your path to hinder him from finding the items first. If worse comes to worst, engage in a direct battle with the said foe and use functional ninja tools, including locks and smoke bombs.  

Aside from offensive approaches, you can also conjure up spirits as a defensive countermeasure to either guard the passages and your items or break the tricks set in place by the opponent. However, the game can come off as confusing due to inefficiently explained mechanics and scattered game controls, which can be a deterrent to the overall experience for many players. 

Action-packed adventure through medieval Japan 

Escape From Castle Matsumoto offers a thrilling, action-packed journey through medieval Japan, blending martial arts and stealth with old-school arcade gameplay. While the game’s retro visuals and combat mechanics will appeal to fans of classic titles, its confusing mechanics and scattered controls may detract from the experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game’s engaging premise and strategic gameplay provide a fun challenge for those seeking a nostalgic arcade adventure.