TMNT: Tactical Takedown – A Fresh, Turn-Based Take on the Turtleverse

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back in a whole new way with TMNT: Tactical Takedown, a turn-based tactics game developed by Strange Scaffold. Ditching the classic beat 'em up formula, this title offers a surprisingly engaging and strategic experience for both longtime fans and newcomers. But does this bold experiment truly capture the essence of the heroes in a half shell?

Unlike previous TMNT games where you'd be button-mashing your way through hordes of enemies, Tactical Takedown forces you to think strategically. Battles unfold on small grid-based maps where you control one Turtle at a time. The objective? Clear out the Foot Clan and reach the end of each level. It sounds simple, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

One of the game's most innovative features is its dynamic level design. Sections of the map appear and disappear, forcing you to stay on the move, similar to a classic beat 'em up. As one review noted, "Having levels change every few turns means I had to keep moving forward... And you can even take advantage of the levels changing by kicking back enemies into the red areas." This constant shifting keeps you engaged and demands quick thinking.

Each Turtle brings a unique combat style to the table. Donnie excels at map control with electric traps and freezing knives, while Raph focuses on chaining attacks to boost his power. This variation ensures the levels remain fresh and allows for puzzle-like scenarios to play out during combat.

While the gameplay is solid, the narrative also deserves praise. While a bit on the short side, the story delves into the brothers dealing with the death of Splinter and Shredder, and the importance of leaning on each other. As one reviewer puts it, "The writing in Tactical Takedown is quick and snappy, and while the narrative isn’t overly complex, there’s some genuinely nice characterization for each Turtle."

Of course, the game isn't without its flaws. Some criticize the levels as being too simple and the combat animations as being stiff. However, given the title's budget price and clear objective, these may be easy to pass over for the target audience.

TMNT: Tactical Takedown is available now on Steam for PC. This bite-sized strategy game will take the player through a narrative that sees the four turtles growing ever closer as the game progresses.

Are you ready to guide your favorite Turtle through this strategic challenge? What do you think of this new direction for TMNT games? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

• PC
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• TMNT