If you consider yourself a turtle lover, then you will definitely adore the four heroes in this title. Join them as they take on massive foes fighting for justice and a better world. After running as a beloved classic television show for many years, the Ninja Turtles franchise decided to test the action in gaming. The turn-based video title is the first in the franchise to narrate an original story, and gamers are excited to explore it. Its story only takes on a few elements from the other classic games and films featuring the four Turtles. Here’s everything we know about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown.
What is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown?
It is a turn-based video game whose narrative draws inspiration from the classic film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Strange Scaffold developed this indie title to pay tribute to the acclaimed TMNT franchise. Players will undergo an exciting fictional journey featuring an attractive new narrative.
In this version, Splinter and Shredder are killed, leaving the brothers to forge their paths. Distraught, they find themselves drifting apart. They will face an entire swarm of new enemies and challenges that threaten the sanctity of their once unbreakable bond. Normally, the four brothers tackle missions together, fighting alongside each other. However, Tactical Takedown features solo missions with each hero starring in their mini-campaign. You will enjoy the lives of the ninja brothers from four different scenarios and completely different perspectives.
Story
The story featured in this title follows four impeccable brothers: Leonard, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello. They face a new threat, the Foot Clan and their new powerful leader. It's up to the turtle heroes to stop them before they destroy the city. In the game, they each have their mini-campaign, where they fight against the Foot Clan and their new leader.
Additionally, they face a multitude of new and familiar villains in intense battles. The turtles come with different powerful moves and skill sets that will help ensure their survival in the narrative. Players will embark on an interesting journey, running from the rooftops and crawling in the sewers, fighting crime. Additionally, they will explore a complex playthrough that will leave them yearning for more.
Gameplay
Splinter and Shredder are cast as long-standing rivals in the TMNT films. However, in this title’s storyline, the two are now dead, and the bond between the mutant brothers is quickly crumbling. Players will take on the role of one of the four heroic mutants: Leonard, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello. They will then embark on an intense puzzle-like match featuring grid-based combat. Further, you will have access to 20 action-packed levels divided into several campaigns to tackle and play through. Each hero is cast in their mini-campaign, where they go up against their rivals, the Foot Clan, their new leader, and many other known villains.
Contrary to the traditional beat ‘em up style of most Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games, this one offers a strategic turn-based experience. Battles in the game are to be played in quick sessions set to last only a few minutes. The bit-sized matches lead to the climactic finish, where the brothers come together to defeat the ultimate boss. Its backdrop showcases a captivating graphic novel-inspired art style, with paint splatter, figurines, and diorama set pieces.
Additionally, the ninjas will have different moves and skills that help them navigate the gameplay. Each campaign pinpoints a different Turtle, allowing gamers to immerse themselves in multiple unique experiences from different perspectives and play styles as they battle against the tyrannical Foot Clan in mutating arenas. The arenas evolve with every turn, requiring certain strategic prowess. Movesets and skills are customizable to fit the turtles' playstyles.
Development
The game was developed by Strange Scaffold, the creators of Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator in partnership with Paramount Game Studios. He has manufactured other renowned titles over the past few years, like El Paso, Elsewhere, and I Am Your Beast on multiple gaming platforms across many genres. They announced they would do a first-ever original story and gameplay, setting his title apart from other TMNT games. Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo are once again cast in battle, this time being at odds with the nefarious Foot Clan and other dangerous villains.
It combines humour with the touching narrative of the four turtles on the brink of falling apart. The game features an amazing soundtrack by RJ Lake, which greatly impacts the intensity of every battle. TMNT: Tactical Takedown features more mature themes, with the turtles rising to adulthood and dealing with an entirely new status quo. Furthermore, the developers assured that each of the four heroes will be featured separately instead of how they are normally portrayed as a team.
Trailer
Strange Scaffold, the developer of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown, released a surprise trailer that showcased this game’s tactical, turn-based gameplay. The trailer highlights unique aspects of a graphic novel art style and promises a ground-breaking perspective of the TMNT franchise. Additionally, the game features a surprising twist in its narrative. Two of its main characters, Shredder and Splinter, are dead. The details of the death of the two long-standing enemies are still a mystery. However, this aspect only adds to this storyline's impact on gamers. The combat showcased in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown trailer features only one Turtle at a time. Strange Scaffold confirmed that each Turtle will have a mini-campaign and unique move set to solve their problems.
Release Date and Platforms
TMNT: Tactical Takedown is a new, exciting game featuring an original story. The game was announced at the 2024 PC gaming show. It is set to debut on PC via Steam sometime next year. However, its exact release date is yet to be revealed to gamers. Interested players can wishlist it on Steam as they await its official release into the gaming community.