TMNT: Tactical Takedown – A Bold Fusion of Beat-‘Em-Up Action and Turn-Based Tactics

While TMNT has seen plenty of spinoffs across a myriad of genres, the heart and soul of the franchise is its beat-’em-up style combat. The four turtle brothers hit the streets and the sewers and manhandle any enemies that get in their way. Tactical Takedown is an entry that works to keep that heart intact- fans will feel the true essence of the brand bleed through, while still introducing an entirely different facelift that will refresh long-term fans and newbies alike.

According to the official Steam page of the game, “Splinter and Shredder are dead. Help the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tackle deadly new threats and the approach of adulthood in this fast-paced turn-based beat-em-up!” They continue to fill fans in on the details of the game as well:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is the first-ever turn-based TMNT video game. Inspired by the classic cartoon, you’ll experience a bold new approach to the world of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Splinter and Shredder are dead, and as the Turtles approach adulthood, they’re not just growing up… they’re growing apart.

Battle the Foot Clan as a powerful new leader takes control in action-packed campaigns that showcase each Turtle individually. Carve through enemies in 20 constantly-mutating levels that grow, shrink, and add new threats with each turn, inspired by classic TMNT games! Rack up points for high scores while experiencing a powerful original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story from acclaimed indie studio Strange Scaffold. This is the next step for Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael–and you can experience it with flying, slashing figurines in graphic novel-inspired splendor.

Features

• 20 action-packed levels, divided into campaigns focusing on individual characters.

• A unique take on the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the minds at Strange Scaffold (Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, I Am Your Beast).

• Innovative turn-based beat-em-up combat, complete with mutating arenas.

• Gorgeous graphic novel-inspired art style, with paint splatter, figurines, and diorama setpieces.

• Customizable movesets to shape each Turtles’ playstyle

• Thumping multi-genre soundtrack from award-winning composer RJ Lake (Unbeatable, El Paso, Elsewhere).

Strange Scaffold is the studio behind games like Clickolding and El Paso, Elsewhere, and chose to take on a licensing opportunity for TMNT as their next big release. Game Informer magazine got a chance to play the game and described their experience.

“After spending hours with the game, I’m still surprised by how well it all works. It all starts with giving your character several action points per turn, rather than just one or two. This allows you to defeat one enemy before beating up the next and strategically position yourself for either the enemies’ turns or your next turn. On top of that, the levels change as you take turns, with older parts falling away and newer sections popping up, forcing you to maintain forward momentum as you dash through the stages.”

The reality is, TMNT Tactical Takedown is a unique entry into the strategy genre, and that is a phenomenal accomplishment within a category as deep as this one. Playing as a single turtle, each map forces players to learn each style uniquely. The game is not necessarily challenging, but it requires understanding how the side-scrolling elements play in as maps shift and transition underneath you, and each brother has a unique playstyle that requires understanding how it fits into the larger scheme. Narrative was key for the team as well, and that plays out throughout the game, which maintains the feeling of the TMNT IP.

Final Thoughts

The mix seems strange, but so far it appears that Strange Scaffold has nailed the blend perfectly, and may be one of the better TMNT games released in recent memory. Of course, tactical turn-based combat is not necessarily for everyone, but the stacked actions and narrative premise, combined with a unique map set-up, ought to allow players of many different genres to enjoy the strategy required to be successful and still feel the essence of the franchise permeate every element. There is already a demo available for TMNT: Tactical Takedown, and the full game releases May 22 for Steam (PC).