TMNT: The Game
by: Average Joe 1 year, 5 months, 1 week, 3 days, 12 hours, 20 minutes ago
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59.99
Ubisoft
The heroes in a half shell make their way to next-gen consoles in TMNT: The Game, which follows the adventures of the four reptilian brothers as they re-discover the meaning of the word “family,” and do battle with foes ranging from street thugs, to the Foot, to ancient monsters out to destroy the World.
The Ryan is on vacation this week so I got his permission to cover for him and review a game I know I’ve been waiting for ever since it was announced.
Today is a big day for TMNT fans as it not only means 3 more days until the highly anticipated film is released, but it also marks the release of the next-gen video game based on the film. Coming from Ubisoft (who took over the license from Konami), TMNT takes players into the World of Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Donatello as they explore the city in search of a mysterious new evil force that threatens to take over.
At first glance it’s not hard to tell this isn’t like any other Turtles game that we’ve seen. Since it’s based on the upcoming film it gives us the chance to see each character on their own, and later on in the game as a unit. The first level takes us to the jungles of Latin America where Leonardo is stalking a group of soldiers who are seemingly up to no good. It’s here where thru Master Splinter’s guidance we learn the mechanics of the game. Fans of Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia titles are in for a treat since the Turtles movements are almost identical to that of the Prince.
That’s a good thing.
My biggest problem with the last series of games from Konami was that they seemingly forgot the whole Ninja element to the Ninja Turtles. The characters moved so stiffly, and only had three attacks total...and blocking? forget about it. This is not the case in TMNT. From the first time Leonardo unsheathes his katannas it’s obvious that the fighting in this game isn’t just a simple button masher like the previous ones, and actually requires skill to pull off the various combos and different fighting styles. Speaking of fighting styles, the developers are to be commended on the amount of attention they put into making each character unique and not just the same Turtle with a different color mask.
True to their original form, each Turtle although similar to his brothers, possess traits that make their fighting style unique to them. For instance Leonardo is very precise, and his combos chain together nicely. Donatello’s weapon (the bo staff) is slower than the rest, but dishes out a fair amount of damage and also allows him to vault across spaces. Michelangelo is extremely quick and once you get him going he spins on his back in an almost ninja-breakdance move that sends enemies flying. Raphael is the strongest of the group and his attacks deal out the most damage, but his sais are limited to up close attacks, however once you get into his combos he’s able to throw them at whoever is in his way.
Just like the emphasis on the new film is about family, so it is true in the game. Although TMNT is only one player (I was majorly disappointed to find this out) it does allow players to call upon all four of the Turtles at any times (as long as you’re not in character specific levels), and utilize the team aspect to pull off maneuvers such as tandem attacks, and moves that let your brothers help fling you across rooftops that are too far for a normal jump...it actually works pretty nicely, and you’re rewarded heavily for working as a family throughout each level.
The game’s story is told thru footage from the film, and some almost cell shaded comic book cutscenes. When playing character specific levels such as Leonardo’s adventures in the jungle, or Raph’s outings as the vigilante known as “The Nightwatcher” the Turtles each relive the level’s events and narrate them to Splinter. It sounds a bit weird, but it actually works nicely.
Visually the game presents an interesting take on the world of the Ninja Turtles. While I wouldn’t quite call it cell shaded, the game definitely has elements that are very close to looking “animated”...this is probably an attempt to keep the game in sync with the film’s CGI look and feel. At certain times I felt the graphics weren’t very next gen, and at other times I thought they looked just fine particularly when playing “Ninja Tag” on the rooftops of New York...that level was impressive, and HUGE. Who knew New York City rooftops could look so glamorous?
Aside from the lack of multiplayer, I would say the game’s biggest flaw comes in the sometimes linear gameplay, and sometimes overly frustrating controls. While the levels are fairly open ended, the game does keep you on a certain path, and takes you to designated areas where an onslaught of enemies will attack you until you dispatch of them and the “area clear” sign flashes on the screen. For those hoping for a lengthy gaming experience, I hate to break it to you but the game can be beaten in just around 4-6 hours...unless you go back and try to earn enough coins to purchase everything, but honestly it’s really not worth it.
Overall TMNT breathes new life into a dying video game franchise, and shows that the Turtles just needed the right company to truly flex their mutated ninja muscle. I wasn’t expected much given the track record of the previous games, but what I got was a surprisingly enjoyable gaming experience featuring my favorite heroes in a half shell. Now, if they could only implement the group aspect from games like X-Men Legends or Ultimate Alliance (allowing players to switch at will while controlling four characters) into the inevitable sequels I would be in heaven.
The dialogue in the game was great to. When Mikey is running around in his “Cowabunga Carl” costume and the thug says “aww look at the little baby in his stupid costume” and Mikey replies with “dude, with a face like that I wouldn’t talk” I actually laughed out loud.
They did implement a lot from the Prince. The only issue I have with the game, not that I’ve finished it yet, but it doesn’t seem to offer to much replay value. Seems pretty straight forward, beat the level quickly while collecting all the coins. The game is indeed fun but to me, not a buyer.
You may be right. The unlockables aren’t that exciting, and the later levels will have you screaming with frustration and just hoping that they’ll end.
It is the best TMNT game to date, however it really didn’t have any solid competition.