The newest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game, Tactical Takedown by developer Strange Scaffold, takes the Turtles to a turn-based tactics genre.
In the game, players control a single Turtle across 20 levels battling against the Foot Clan's goons, with each Turtle having a set amount of hearts and lives per level.
Strategic gameplay is key as players must mow down enemies quickly and maintain distance to survive.
Each Turtle has unique abilities; for example, Donatello controls the battlefield while Leonardo gains buffs on KOs.
Players can earn scores at the end of each level and currency to purchase additional abilities for the Turtles.
The main antagonist in Tactical Takedown is Karai, leading the Foot Clan, with both Shredder and Master Splinter dead in this continuity.
Surprisingly, the game features emotional moments, reflecting on Splinter's influence and the bond between the Turtles.
The game offers a short playtime of around five hours, with levels taking 15 to 20 minutes each, preventing gameplay from becoming stale.
Tactical Takedown is praised for trying something new with the TMNT franchise and successfully combining enjoyable combat with a heartfelt story.
While Shredder’s Revenge is well-regarded, Tactical Takedown offers a fresh take on the Turtles that appeals to both hardcore fans and newcomers.
The game balances bite-sized gameplay for short sessions and bingeable potential for players engrossed in the story and combat.