What a joy it has been to review two TMNT games in a matter of weeks. While Splintered Fate is much different, it provided a fresh take on playing as Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown takes on the turn-based tactics genre. Strange Scaffold has done a fantastic job of doing something new we haven’t seen with the heroes in a half shell. While it could have done with having more depth, it’s still a lot of fun and has a great story that sees the turtles in ways we’ve not seen them before.
After both Shredder and Splinter have passed, the turtles have gone their separate ways until an old threat rears its head once more. This leaves you playing as each turtle individually. There’s dialogue before and after levels to flesh out the story, and as a huge fan I loved it. As for the gameplay, Strange Scaffold has made a stripped back and simplified turn-based game that keeps things moving fast. Each action passes quickly and aims for efficiency and speed rather than deeply thought out decisions.
Each turtle has the same number of action points and health, however, movesets are completely different. I liked how each one acted within their personalities and individual skills. Mikey relies on speed and a touch of flamboyancy while Donnie uses his traps to level the playing field. Leo builds on his talents his blades to methodically takedown enemies and Raph’s brutish qualities provide quick and devastating attacks. Whatever the situation, you’re always getting a different way to play through the streets and sewers of New York.
Everything takes place on an almost tabletop like board. Characters look like board game pieces that change positions based on which attack is played. The environments are simple in design, but still offer the right amount of detail. One of the coolest elements of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is the way parts of the environment crumbles away. The need to constantly move can leave you feeling nervous. It’s a cool concept that works well within the confines of its swift and punchy gameplay.
One of the best ways to wipe out enemies is by kicking them off the board. It’s a godsend when you don’t wipe out every enemy in a single turn. New foot soldiers and other enemies spawn. Sometimes you’re faced with an overwhelming number of them. Being able to yeet them off the board gives you a welcoming out. There are also environmental dangers that can do damage to both you and your enemies. On the streets for example, cars will drive past and can wipe out a range of Mousers, but stay on a highlighted spot until the next turn and it’s you that’s going to die.
While Tactical Takedown encourages quick gameplay, checking out the stats of enemies and the effects of an attack seems backwards. Having to enter an ‘inspect’ menu to see these slowed down its pace. You do start to become familiar to what does what, but it could have been clearer. It’s not a huge drawback, but having better visual clues wouldn’t have gone a miss. Still, the speed of turns and combat is more than enjoyable and never a chore.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is a great turn-based game that aims for speedy combat than methodical planning. It works with the fighting style the turtles are know for, and with each one having a distinct style, you’re never bored of playing as the same one. It has a great story outside of the usual ‘huge threat to New York,’ and the writing for the guys feels familiar, but the emotional undertones work so well. Strange Scaffold has done a great job with the subject material, all while adding some great ideas as they so often do.
