Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Review - Turtle Loop

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I have seen my fair share of franchises that try to replicate the success of others. But few have managed to do it as effectively and entertainingly as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fates (TMNT: SF). When I first heard about this game, I was skeptical. Another Hades clone, I thought. But boy, was I wrong.

It’s hard to believe, but the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been a fan-favorite franchise since their comic book debut in the ’80s. Their unique blend of mutated teenagers and ninja skills struck a chord with audiences and inspired a flurry of imitators – from mice to sharks. With such a rich history, it’s amusing to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fates follow so closely in the footsteps of Hades, but with a TMNT twist.

Following the customary tale, Master Splinter has been abducted once more, leaving it to Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo to embark on a quest through four challenging levels of roguelike gameplay to secure his release. The adventure commences in the sewers, where you progress from one room to another, eliminating adversaries and amassing power-ups as you advance. Upon defeat, you are returned to your turtles’ den to rejuvenate, purchase a few enhancements, and initiate another attempt.

Originally designed for mobile platforms with advanced features and controller support, Splintered Fates boasts an engaging core gameplay experience that seamlessly transitions to the Nintendo Switch. The quick succession of attacks followed by strategic dodges creates a fast-paced and smooth gaming experience. Towards the end of each run, intense battles can become a thrilling dance as you assess targets and land hits in the brief moments enemies are vulnerable. Your actions gradually build up a potent special attack and an exclusive tool with distinct abilities, such as Michelangelo’s taunt that immobilizes and damages opponents within a local area of effect.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Review - Turtle Loop

Although popular among children, Splintered Fates is not a simple action game. It provides a substantial challenge, with completion time ranging from 40 to 50 minutes based on your skill and power-ups. As a roguelike game, be prepared for several unsuccessful attempts. The game strikes a balance between being difficult enough to keep you engaged, without becoming overly frustrating. If you prefer a more relaxed experience with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, feel free to toggle on easy mode whenever desired.

As I make my way through each closed arena, facing off against wicked ninjas, colossal rats, and laser-shooting robots, I’m rewarded with an assortment of random perks after every encounter. It’s during these moments that the strategic gameplay comes into play. I can opt for short-term advantages, such as attack boosts or periodic lightning strikes against my enemies. However, playing the long game and collecting Dragon or Dreamer Coins might prove more beneficial, as they won’t aid me immediately but will permanently enhance my strength. Making these tough decisions adds an extra layer of excitement, especially when I commit fully to a run and reap the rewards.

Imitation is a genuine form of compliment, and Hades is an impressive game, yet there are aspects where it lags behind, making its shortcomings more noticeable. The static images during narrative segments are acceptable, but they don’t create as lasting an impression as the dynamic ones that depict Zagreus and his companions’ stories. The witty banter during boss battles is enjoyable, yet Leatherhead fails to match the menace of Megaera, despite his massive jaws.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Review - Turtle Loop

As a fan of TMNT Splintered Fates, I must say that this game sets itself apart in the realm of its primary characters, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Each turtle possesses a unique identity, which is brilliantly reflected through their distinct weapons, attack patterns, and special abilities.

As a huge fan of cooperative gaming, I can tell you that nothing beats the thrill of playing with friends, whether we’re connected online or sharing the same couch. The excitement is the same as when I play alone, but with the added bonus of having my buddies by my side. Crashing through a campaign with four turtles is an unforgettable experience – the chaos and carnage are multiplied!

Regrettably, collaborative play on Nintendo Switch highlights the significant difference in power between current mobile devices and its outdated hardware. Occasional lag becomes bothersome in solo mode, but when multiple turtles simultaneously display dazzling assaults, the frame rate plummets noticeably. A cinematic mode limits the frame rate to 30fps, yet this seems redundant as gameplay often falls below that mark. It doesn’t completely mar the experience, but experiencing a poorly-timed dodge and taking damage can be frustrating.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Review - Turtle Loop

In each run, you’ll encounter significant differences. The improvements you gain accumulate, resulting in diverse character builds. For instance, you could create a setup that inflicts harm over time on enemies and another that coats them with damaging ooze. Each level presents a variety of mini-bosses, which you’ll need to face. These adversaries are shuffled, ensuring an ever-changing experience. However, the boss encounters add unpredictability as they employ diverse attacks and strategies. For example, Karai could hurl kunai at you during one battle but switch to launching ground fire assaults in another. Despite the challenges, the variety keeps each run engaging even after numerous attempts, though it can be disheartening when it seems that luck makes every confrontation more difficult.

After achieving your first victory, you’ll find that your progress is boosted even further. To add to the excitement without revealing the finale, I suggest revisiting all the game levels once you’ve reached the end. In these repeat playthroughs, new challenges await: some bosses will have extra difficulty modes accessible through hidden exits, and certain sections may be made more demanding with added modifiers. While this is an optional endeavor, embracing it yields additional rewards in the form of upgrade currencies. As your upgrades accumulate and your power grows, these challenges remain engaging and suitable for your enhanced abilities.

I used to dismiss Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate as just a Hades copycat. But my previous assessment undervalues the enjoyment of an excellently crafted game adaptation. Although its art and narrative don’t reach Hades’ greatness, it’s a thrill to smash enemies as one of the beloved turtles, and sharing this experience with friends adds to the excitement. Despite some technical hiccups, Splintered Fate is an entertaining ride, providing diverse challenges that keep each run unique.

2024-07-17 02:09

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Review – Turtle Loop

Read More

Minority Mindset