Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (PS4)
2022 is becoming quite the year for fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. With the upcoming release of Konami’s TMNT back catalogue Cowabunga Collection coming later this year, there is a new TMNT in town to stake its claim amongst today’s generation. Coming from the aptly named Tribute Games, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is indeed a tribute to the treasured original cartoon universe, and to the genre it has always served best: the scrolling beat-em-up. Between Tribute and publisher Dotemu, who also released the bold yet excellent Streets of Rage 4 a couple of years ago, they certainly understand the formula to ‘Go Straight’.
Let’s get something else straight here right off the bat:
Streets of Rage 4 and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge hail from the
same genre yet are very different experiences. SOR4 is the
clinical, finesse-driven fighter, whereas TMNT:SR is more akin to a
madcap brawl in a carpark. And that’s no criticism, either. I’ve always
found it amusing that in a franchise with the word ‘ninja’ in the title
there is very little ninjitsu involved. Instead, four mutant teenagers
showcase their weaponry and fighting skills for all to see, and often in
public. Teenage Mutant Martial Arts Turtles just doesn’t roll off the
tongue, does it?
The premise of TMNT: SR is simple: pick from up to seven heroes
and prepare to kick robot foot soldiers around multiple locations straight
out of the 1980’s series, from the Channel 5 News building to
Dimension X itself. What’s that you say? SEVEN heroes? You read it
right, as we finally get our hands on Master Splinter,
Casey Jones and…. April o’Neil? Turns out not only is she
now a bad-ass fighter equipped with a, er, microphone, but she is also
the super quick fighter option we didn’t know we always needed. Splinter
ranks at the other end of the speed scale, but boasts more powerful
attacks, whereas each of the turtle team continue to vary in speed,
reach and power as they did in one of its predecessors,
Turtles in Time.
For those familiar with the treasured time travel based
SNES fighter, the fighting fundamentals are much the same here in
TMNT: SR, but with some totally excellent upgrades (sorry). In
addition to the simple button-tap combos as well as jump, run and slide
attacks is a lengthy dodge roll that allows you to close screen-wide gaps in
an instant, along with the ability to chain into lunging attacks and
further combo heaven. This form of recovery really is a game-changer for
the genre, evolving away from the shackles of 30+ years ago without
diminishing the genre’s legacy. The ability to take on several enemies at
once, from both the front and back can be spectacularly pleasing to
execute. For the solo players who find themselves a little overwhelmed by
the numbers can clear the way with a simple tap of the triangle button,
activating a wide-ranging special attack either on the ground or from
above. It adds a bit of a fantastical effect the series hasn’t seen before
whilst firmly cementing the wacky cartoon aesthetics.
Just like Turtles in Time, Shredder’s Revenge remains true to its
cartoon universe. Each character is uniquely animated, and more
cartoon-like than ever before; aside from the distinct turtle-team
expressions and weapon animations, the bad guys are larger than life and
more menacing in view than ever before. Foot Soldiers are often
seen hilariously badly blending into the various stages, pushing shopping
trollies in the mall, eating an ice lolly at the fair, even playing
Gameboy in the mall arcade. Even the various locations are bursting
with animated life, both to accompany the story or offering excellent fan
service in the form of pleasing cameos. The retro aesthetic is a perfect
fit, and quite frankly absolutely gorgeous to see in action.
Taking a leaf out of
Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game's book, an
overworld map tracks the level progression in story mode, as well as
multiple unlockable secrets as you locate the aforementioned character
cameos. Finding all of them grants extra points to level up your
character, meaning stronger attacks and earning extra special gauges.
Moving around a Turtle van icon like a token around a 1980’s TMNT-universe
board game is another nice touch and sure-fire fan pleaser. Once you’ve
properly cut your teeth on story mode, the only alternative mode on offer
is arcade mode, which is the same game, same stages, albeit a much steeper
difficulty level and the expectation to plough through in a single
sitting. Unless you’ve got yourselves a decent online group together of at
least four (you can have up to six) this can become quite an eventual
chore, and chances are you’ve completed Story mode already, so you have
already seen it all before.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is, on all technical levels, the best Turtles beat 'em up ever made. It looks excellent, sounds fantastic, and for fans hits all the right nostalgic spots. Its endless combat capabilities will keep you compelled throughout, and its animation and fabulous soundtrack will keep the entertainment coming until the action eventually dries up. Multiplayer will keep the experience going, but a lack of alternative modes will dry things up for some a lot quicker than others. Even so, this is one cowabunga party you should not miss.
★★★★★
