As a long-time fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I was thrilled to get my hands on Splintered Fates for the Nintendo Switch. Having played the mobile release on Apple Arcade at launch, I was excited to see how the game would hold up on a more powerful platform.
As a huge fan, I can’t help but marvel at the versatility of the TMNT in video games. They started as a revolutionary indie comic series and have since grown into a blockbuster IP, capable of fitting seamlessly into various genres while still delivering an enjoyable experience. From Konami’s classic brawlers to platform fighters and now roguelikes, the brotherly team of distinct yet similar, color-coded turtles continues to be the go-to ensemble for multiplayer fun. With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, we have another great addition to their adventures. Having been recently released from Apple Arcade’s confines, it offers a solid and inspiring take on the source material.
The boys are back in town (for like the third time in two years)
Many games recently released on Nintendo Switch, including Splintered Fate, have initially been exclusive to Apple Arcade. While Apple Arcade has its merits, it appears that several lesser-known yet worthy games are now receiving more attention and recognition. Splintered Fate is one such game that is definitely worth checking out, even if it doesn’t offer a revolutionary gaming experience or demand an immediate play. For Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans, the past few months have been particularly satisfying with the release of Shredder’s Revenge and its DLC, as well as the budget-friendly adaptation of Wrath of the Mutants.
As a huge fan of Splintered Fate, I can tell you that this game isn’t like others tied to historical events or popular media franchises such as IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Although Tom Waltz and Kevin Michael Johnson, the talented writers behind the acclaimed IDW comics, have left their mark on this project through loose references, it’s not a direct comic adaptation. Instead, Splintered Fate boasts its unique house style that sets it apart from the competition. The characters’ voices shine through both in the text and voiceovers, giving the game a refined polish rather than a rushed cash-grab feel.
Cowabunga, pizza, ninjas, cheating death, and etcetera
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have seen their fair share of action games, but Splintered Fate might be their first experience with a roguelike game. This title takes cues from Hades, a modern classic in the making. Essentially, players will face off against a series of combat arenas, where encounters are fast-paced and require careful attention to area of effect indicators signaling danger. Following each battle, you’ll have the opportunity to select an upgrade – ranging from lists of elemental or status effect enhancements, to more straightforward choices like healing or special currency for later use on permanent upgrades.
In addition to the standard game mechanics, the narrative includes a layer of self-aware commentary. Characters acknowledge that they are engaged in a repeating cycle and that many battles are rematches. The turtles and their enemies exchange banter throughout these encounters, although the possibilities for change are more limited than in Hades. This perspective adds depth to the experience of roguelike games as the story unfolds, and with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ vibrant personalities, there is ample opportunity for creative expression.
Engaging with the game loop is an enjoyable experience due to the vast array of upgrades and powers you can obtain during each playthrough. On every run, you’ll encounter various abilities, boosts, enhancements, and quirks that allow you to customize your character’s build further. The powers you choose affect not only your current gameplay but also the unique abilities of the specific Turtle you control. While you may prefer a certain strategy (like Michelangelo with Ooze/poison), there are numerous possibilities for experimentation. However, acquiring permanent upgrades necessitates multiple currencies, and as they become more powerful, higher-tier challenges and boss fights become increasingly necessary to unlock their full potential. In essence, the game encourages continuous growth and self-testing instead of becoming complacent.
Pump the brakes a little, dang
At certain points in the game, the challenges it presents may hinder your progress, particularly when the difficulty level increases significantly. Despite investing a considerable amount of Dragon Coins, your Turtles transform into formidable, destructive forces. However, Splintered Fates counters this by cluttering the screen with irrelevant distractions. For instance, Mousers may emit laser beams that span the entire screen, ninjas could leave trails of fire in their wake, and Punk Frogs might unleash multiple poison areas of effect simultaneously. It’s all part of the experience! Additionally, some adversaries possess rapid attacks, making it difficult to react, especially during chaotic situations.
During gameplay, your evasive maneuver is restricted by a cooldown, leaving you vulnerable at times with no safe place to hide while recharging. Taking unnecessary damage becomes an inevitable part of the challenge, which can be frustrating after investing time in enhancements and improving skills. The power imbalance isn’t explicitly clear-cut, but it can feel that way when you’re pinned against a wall and think, “I guess this is it for me.” Fortunately, there’s an extensive pool of upgrades to help mitigate these situations. It’s satisfying to make progress and successfully navigate tough rooms, even if they prove annoying later on. Additionally, there’s an adjustable difficulty setting available.
As a long-time mobile gamer who has recently had the opportunity to try out a popular modern game on the Nintendo Switch, I must admit that I have encountered some performance hiccups during my playtime. Given that we’re talking about porting an advanced mobile game to the comparatively older hardware of the Switch, it comes as no surprise. The game does come with a performance toggle, which generally holds up well but at the expense of some clarity.
As a gamer, I might say: While it’s true that Hades comes to mind when looking at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, the two aren’t exactly interchangeable. Sure, they share some similarities as action roguelikes. But what sets Splintered Fate apart is its unique features that Hades doesn’t offer. For instance, it has co-op gameplay which is a big plus for me and my friends. And even though it might seem simpler than Hades at first glance, the specific goal of Splintered Fate makes it an engaging experience. It’s not just about mindless fun; there’s a solid structure that keeps me coming back for more. Plus, the cooperative gaming vibes you get from playing as the TMNT adds to the excitement. The game never feels cheap or sloppy, and even when I’ve won several loops, I still find myself drawn to it. Spinning around with Mikey, my favorite turtle, doesn’t feel old yet. It’s a fresh take on the roguelike genre that keeps me hooked.
On July 16, 2024, you can get your hands on “TMNT: Splintered Fate” for the Nintendo Switch. This game was previously made accessible on iOS through Apple Arcade. For the purpose of this critique, a Nintendo Switch code was given to me by the publisher.
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2024-07-16 16:29