Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate review

As a longtime fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and someone who has followed their comic book adventures for decades, I was thrilled to see IDW comics team up with Platinum Games to create Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Having grown up playing their classic videogames, I was excited to see how the world of the Heroes in a Half-Shell would translate into a roguelike dungeon crawler.

IDW Comics has a long-standing tradition of collaborating with video games, making it fitting for their less-acknowledged Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series to receive the same treatment through an engaging action game titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Since the release of Mutants in Manhattan by Platinum Games, this is the first reference to this storyline in gaming. Unfortunately, Mutants in Manhattan did not live up to expectations, marking a rare miss for the developer. Generally, Ninja Turtles video games have been brawlers or platformers. However, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate distinguishes itself by capitalizing on the recent surge in popularity of roguelike dungeon crawlers.

The team openly embraces their sources of inspiration, making it clear that this game is strongly influenced by Supergiant Games’ acclaimed Hades. Despite not explicitly advertising it, the similarities are undeniable. As I began playing, I recognized the format and requirements of the player due to its alignment with the mythological hit. Initially released as a mobile game for iOS, this console version aims to cash in on the increasing popularity of roguelikes and attract fans of one of the most renowned comic book franchises.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate review

Each member of the brave foursome possesses unique skills and weapons. Beyond their basic attacks, there are special gadgets exclusive to each Turtle. You begin your journey with Leonardo, who hurls shuriken stars. Donatello boasts a defensive enhancement. My preferred Tool is Raphael’s chain mechanism, which reels in enemies for retaliation. As you progress from one chamber to the next, cleaning up will grant opportunities to enhance yourself, adjust your Tool setup, or acquire precious Dragon Coins. The fighting system flows smoothly and is simple to grasp. However, I felt that some moves lacked the desired heft and impact, resulting in a somewhat insubstantial experience.

In this situation, Master Splinter, the Turtles’ wise mentor and father figure, has been kidnapped by the wicked Shredder. But don’t worry, they receive a visit from their rat sensei who possesses the power to convert Dragon Coins into extraordinary abilities for them. This is reminiscent of how the Olympians grant Boons in Hades. There are numerous options available, and you get to choose which battle style suits you best and which route you take in customizing your character’s profile.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate review

In a roguelike game, there’s an inherent randomness that comes into play. At times, you may not obtain what you desire, resulting in defeat and the need to start over. As you advance and discover new in-game currency and the capacity to use status-altering Artifacts, the game becomes more intricate and challenging. I won’t give away too much information, but be prepared for a significant increase in complexity and difficulty at a certain stage, making thoughtful decisions about which enhancements and bonuses to acquire even more crucial for progress.

At each level, you encounter a multitude of common adversaries, an aspect of the game that could use more depth. There are only four distinct types: Baxter Stockman’s annoying Mouser robots, the omnipresent Foot ninjas, oversized rats, and the robust Punk Frogs. Although stronger versions of these foes appear throughout the game, the novelty is lacking. You’d find a greater selection of enemies to battle in classic Konami arcade games. In contrast, the bosses are exceptional and unpredictable, featuring diverse environmental and physical upgrades. The rogues’ gallery includes Bebop and Rocksteady, Leatherhead (creator of Punk Frogs, not the Surrey village), Karai, and metal-faced antagonist Shredder.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate review

In simpler terms, the tale doesn’t disrupt the intricately crafted mythological realm inspired by its most significant influence. I was hoping for more opportunities to engage with some of the high-ranking Turtles characters who make occasional appearances as non-playable characters. The graphics can appear blurry at times and fail to impress. Battling bosses can become chaotic, especially when you encounter a particularly insane version accompanied by numerous additional enemies and environmental perils.

As someone who has spent countless hours playing classic Turtles games, I can’t help but be impressed with how well this game executes its cooperative mode. It brings back fond memories of playing with friends on the couch, and now, we can even play together online by just sharing a code. The joy of teaming up with others to navigate through levels is a tradition that has always been dear to me. It’s a simple yet effective feature that adds so much replay value and fun to the game.

In simpler terms, this game is like a less refined version of Hades, featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles instead. It’s not a problem at all, in fact, it’s an enjoyable way to utilize the popular license for fans. Although it could benefit from more diversity and a touch-up, these aspects become insignificant when you play it with a friend for multiple sessions.

2024-07-17 11:46

Read More