Mewbies have been unleashed in NYC
By Paul Hunter
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed is the latest addition to the hit franchise, developed by A Heartful of Games and published by Outright Games. It takes place following the events of the recent animated film, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, after the turtles have been accepted into society and got their dream of attending high school.
I've been playing the Ninja Turtles video games all the way back since the NES days in the late 1980s. Over the years, the games have spanned various genres, from classic beat-'em-ups to side-scrolling platformers. This latest game blends nostalgia gameplay mechanics with contemporary visuals, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Let's hop into New York City to see all that this latest Turtles game has to offer.
In Mutants Unleashed, the story picks up with the turtles celebrating their recent victory over the crime boss Superfly, and his gang of mutant. The turtles’ triumph sets the stage for a new adventure, as they must now face a fresh wave of mutants and villains that emerge in the aftermath. This setup not only provides a sense of continuity for those who watched the recent movie, but also heightens the stakes for our heroes.
One of the standout elements of the story is, as you might expect, the camaraderie among the turtles. Each character has their signature personality, including Leonardo, the disciplined leader, who often contrasts with Michelangelo's carefree attitude. Donatello’s tech-savvy nature and Raphael’s fiery temperament also add depth and humour to the group dynamic.
As you progress through the game, missions often involve rescuing civilians, battling familiar foes, and uncovering the mysteries behind the new villains. The storytelling is enhanced by high-quality cutscenes that provide context and showcase our heroes in action. The game also introduces new characters and allies, most importantly the Mewbies that range from friends to foes, expanding the lore of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe.
Best of all, the humour that the franchise is known for shines through in the dialogue and scenarios. The witty banter between the turtles keeps the tone light-hearted, even during intense battles. The story kept me laughing from beginning through to the end, just like I'd hope for from a Ninja Turtles game.
TMNT: Mutants Unleashed offers an exciting gameplay experience that captures the essence of the beloved franchise with fast-paced 3D beat-'em-up combat. You can take control of your favourite turtle with each having unique abilities and fighting styles, which adds depth and replayability to the combat system.
Mutants Unleashed offers a co-operative mode where you can team up with friends or AI-controlled characters to take on missions together. As you might expect co-operative gameplay enhances the fun, as you can combine your turtles’ abilities for powerful combos and tackle bosses as a team.
Looking more closely at the combat mechanics, it's quite fluid and responsive. You can execute a variety of attacks, including light and heavy strikes, as well as devastating special moves. Each turtle has a unique special ability that can turn the tide of battle, like Leonardo’s precision strikes that can deal significant damage, or Michelangelo’s agility that allows for quick dodges and counterattacks.
As you progress, you earn experience points that allow you to unlock new skills and abilities. The skill tree system is well-designed, offering a range of upgrades that cater to different playstyles. You can focus on enhancing your turtle’s combat skills or improving their defensive capabilities to build out your turtle exactly to your liking. The skill trees add good replayability as you can play through the campaign with different turtles while maxing out their skills.
Mutants Unleashed features a vibrant visual style that captures the essence of the recent animated film. The game is set in a colourful, lively version of New York City, filled with detailed environments that reflect the turtles' world, including bustling streets to the dark sewers, which are all designed with care.
The turtle character models are well-crafted, showcasing the unique traits of each. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael are instantly recognisable, with their distinct colours and personalities and their animations are smooth and fluid, both during platforming segments and during combat scenarios.
I really enjoyed the visual special effects during battles. When you unleash a special move, the screen is filled with dynamic effects from explosions to energy blasts and other effects that create a sense of impact.
Turning our attention to the game's soundtrack, it's upbeat and catchy, complementing the fast-paced action. Each level has its own unique track, which helps set the mood and makes each area feel distinct. The sound effects are equally impressive, with satisfying punches, kicks, and special abilities that have weight to them.
Voice acting is another big highlight of the game. The turtles are voiced by the same talented actors who brought them to life in the Mutant Mayhem film. The light-hearted and playful banter between the turtles really helps you connect with the turtles and brings an air of familiarity for fans who've watched the recent animated shows and movie.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Developer: A Heartful of Games
Publisher: Outright Games
Genre: Platformer, Beat 'Em Up
Modes: ingle-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed is the latest addition to the hit franchise, developed by A Heartful of Games and published by Outright Games. It takes place following the events of the recent animated film, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, after the turtles have been accepted into society and got their dream of attending high school.
I've been playing the Ninja Turtles video games all the way back since the NES days in the late 1980s. Over the years, the games have spanned various genres, from classic beat-'em-ups to side-scrolling platformers. This latest game blends nostalgia gameplay mechanics with contemporary visuals, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Let's hop into New York City to see all that this latest Turtles game has to offer.
In Mutants Unleashed, the story picks up with the turtles celebrating their recent victory over the crime boss Superfly, and his gang of mutant. The turtles’ triumph sets the stage for a new adventure, as they must now face a fresh wave of mutants and villains that emerge in the aftermath. This setup not only provides a sense of continuity for those who watched the recent movie, but also heightens the stakes for our heroes.
One of the standout elements of the story is, as you might expect, the camaraderie among the turtles. Each character has their signature personality, including Leonardo, the disciplined leader, who often contrasts with Michelangelo's carefree attitude. Donatello’s tech-savvy nature and Raphael’s fiery temperament also add depth and humour to the group dynamic.
As you progress through the game, missions often involve rescuing civilians, battling familiar foes, and uncovering the mysteries behind the new villains. The storytelling is enhanced by high-quality cutscenes that provide context and showcase our heroes in action. The game also introduces new characters and allies, most importantly the Mewbies that range from friends to foes, expanding the lore of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe.
Best of all, the humour that the franchise is known for shines through in the dialogue and scenarios. The witty banter between the turtles keeps the tone light-hearted, even during intense battles. The story kept me laughing from beginning through to the end, just like I'd hope for from a Ninja Turtles game.
TMNT: Mutants Unleashed offers an exciting gameplay experience that captures the essence of the beloved franchise with fast-paced 3D beat-'em-up combat. You can take control of your favourite turtle with each having unique abilities and fighting styles, which adds depth and replayability to the combat system.
Mutants Unleashed offers a co-operative mode where you can team up with friends or AI-controlled characters to take on missions together. As you might expect co-operative gameplay enhances the fun, as you can combine your turtles’ abilities for powerful combos and tackle bosses as a team.
Looking more closely at the combat mechanics, it's quite fluid and responsive. You can execute a variety of attacks, including light and heavy strikes, as well as devastating special moves. Each turtle has a unique special ability that can turn the tide of battle, like Leonardo’s precision strikes that can deal significant damage, or Michelangelo’s agility that allows for quick dodges and counterattacks.
As you progress, you earn experience points that allow you to unlock new skills and abilities. The skill tree system is well-designed, offering a range of upgrades that cater to different playstyles. You can focus on enhancing your turtle’s combat skills or improving their defensive capabilities to build out your turtle exactly to your liking. The skill trees add good replayability as you can play through the campaign with different turtles while maxing out their skills.
Mutants Unleashed features a vibrant visual style that captures the essence of the recent animated film. The game is set in a colourful, lively version of New York City, filled with detailed environments that reflect the turtles' world, including bustling streets to the dark sewers, which are all designed with care.
The turtle character models are well-crafted, showcasing the unique traits of each. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael are instantly recognisable, with their distinct colours and personalities and their animations are smooth and fluid, both during platforming segments and during combat scenarios.
I really enjoyed the visual special effects during battles. When you unleash a special move, the screen is filled with dynamic effects from explosions to energy blasts and other effects that create a sense of impact.
Turning our attention to the game's soundtrack, it's upbeat and catchy, complementing the fast-paced action. Each level has its own unique track, which helps set the mood and makes each area feel distinct. The sound effects are equally impressive, with satisfying punches, kicks, and special abilities that have weight to them.
Voice acting is another big highlight of the game. The turtles are voiced by the same talented actors who brought them to life in the Mutant Mayhem film. The light-hearted and playful banter between the turtles really helps you connect with the turtles and brings an air of familiarity for fans who've watched the recent animated shows and movie.
The Verdict
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the franchise, blending classic beat-'em-up gameplay with modern visuals. The game draws inspiration from the recent animated film, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, which helps create a familiar yet fresh atmosphere. The vibrant graphics and engaging character designs capture the essence of the turtles, and the co-operative gameplay let's you enjoy the entire experience with family and friends. If you are a fan of the Ninja Turtles, you won't want to miss this thrilling adventure.Final Score: 8/10 - Great
TMNT: Mutants Unleashed details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: A Heartful of Games
Publisher: Outright Games
Genre: Platformer, Beat 'Em Up
Modes: ingle-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.