TMNT: Tactical Takedown Review – A Bite-Sized Saturday Morning Romp

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Currently, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are experiencing a remarkable resurgence in video game popularity. In recent times, we’ve been treated to fantastic releases like the Cowabunga Collection, the retro-style brawler Shredder’s Revenge, and the Hades-inspired roguelike Splintered Fate. It’s been a while since the turtles were as prevalent in games as they are now, but this time around, game developers have been more daring with their experimental approaches. A perfect example is TMNT: Tactical Takedown, a grid-based strategy game that manages to feel both nostalgic and innovative for these iconic characters. Despite some limitations in scope, the brief experience is thoroughly enjoyable.

The comic book style of Tactical Takedown has a fresh, vibrant appearance that brings back memories of classic Saturday morning cartoons. The turtles’ beaks have the same rounded shape as those you used to sketch in your geometry class Trapper Keeper. However, this narrative unfolds beyond the original series, where Splinter and Shredder are no longer alive, leaving the turtles grappling with their own paths and coping with loss. The blend of nostalgic aesthetics and a fresh storyline gives the impression that it’s carrying on from the previous continuity while offering something new and intriguing.

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The game’s fundamental system centers around a unique restriction – you can only control one turtle at a time during battles against hordes of Foot Clan minions. Typically, your objectives involve surviving for a specific number of turns or defeating designated enemies. The levels, similar to many strategy games, are presented as isometric grids, but the single-character rule emphasizes decision-making and crowd management. Despite being outnumbered, you’re always the superior force. Each level is tailored to suit a particular turtle, which aligns with the story: Donatello’s adventures unfold in the sewers, Raphael’s on rooftops, and so forth. Although most differences are cosmetic, some are more significant. For instance, moving across Raphael’s rooftop stages requires you to jump from one edge to another, while Donatello’s sewer levels contain harmful purple toxic waste.

The power sets of the turtles are skillfully distinguished based on their distinct personalities, a remarkable feat considering they all must be capable of battling waves of enemies independently. Michelangelo exhibits agility with his abilities primarily focused on leaping over foes to inflict damage and keep them airborne. Raphael, by contrast, is fiercely aggressive, receiving an additional action point every time he knocks out an adversary. Leonardo may have limited reach but is a powerhouse; each enemy he knocks out grants him a stack of “Radical” energy, making his next attack more potent. My favorite among them, both in the cartoon and this game, is Donatello, who has extended reach due to his bo staff and possesses a stun bomb that electrifies a portion of the floor, making it dangerous ground for enemies. Paired with his kunai, which can immobilize an enemy, he is the most defensive fighter, capable of turning the battlefield hazardous and then forcing enemies to remain stationary.

In contrast to typical tactics games where battlefields remain constant, this TMNT version introduces a dynamic element by causing the stages to transform over time. As the game progresses, new sections of the battlefield appear while others disappear, creating an ever-changing battleground. If you’re in a dangerous zone when it changes, you’ll be eliminated immediately, forcing you to stay on your toes and keep moving. Furthermore, hazards like vehicles driving across the field can cause damage, and occasionally you can push enemies off the edges of stages.

This is a strategy game that carries an energetic vibe reminiscent of old-school arcade brawlers, complete with a giant exclamation like “GO!” flashing on-screen as parts of a level are about to change. The stages designed for Leonardo, primarily set within subway tunnels, serve as the epitome of this style. In the game, you’ll find yourself engaging in fights at station benches, then observing a subway car arriving, entering it, and feeling the train vanish as the station disappears behind you.

The narrative revolves around the turtles’ growing irritation towards one another, yet manages to resonate without becoming overly dramatic. It delves deeply into their interpersonal dynamics, highlighting that beneath their squabbles, they genuinely care for each other. Moreover, it effectively portrays the characters themselves, such as how Raphael, despite his tough exterior, is actually quite soft-hearted towards his siblings.

The narrative of the squabbling siblings uniting against a city danger is typical yet skillfully executed, but the gameplay aspect fell short in comparison. In the instances where the turtles team up, it’s still just controlling one character. Tactical Takedown creatively and emotionally portrays this concept, but it feels like a misdirection from what the game had been leading us to believe. Perhaps this is due to its limited scale, as I was anticipating crafting intricate strategies that would benefit from knowing each turtle’s unique abilities. Instead, I found myself controlling more of a super-powered combination character.

In a similar fashion, customizing loadouts seems incompletely developed. During the game, you can buy additional skills for the turtles from the store using points earned from campaign missions. However, the shop is not prominently displayed in the campaign menu, making it easy to overlook it during your mission progress. As a result, I purchased a few abilities but primarily completed the campaign using the default kits. The lack of necessity to modify my strategy or experiment with new skills was evident because the missions could be accomplished without utilizing the shop at all. While each turtle has a handful of options that suggest additional strategic depth, these choices did not feel crucial.

Experience the nostalgic rush as you take a seat on your floor, engrossed in the 1990s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV show on your screen, and that’s the vibe when playing TMNT: Tactical Takedown. All the iconic aspects are present, providing an enjoyable journey throughout, but you can feel the undercurrent of something far more magnificent yet to come. The game is a fantastic blend of innovative ideas, but it seems to be pushing against its own boundaries. However, this serves as a promising foundation for what I fervently hope will lead to further adventures with the Turtles.

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2025-05-22 16:10