Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown review: Separation anxiety

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It’s quite intriguing and unexpected to witness indie developers collaborating with major brands on game projects lately. For instance, partnerships between Fairy Tail and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have surfaced across four distinct games. Such combinations may seem odd, but life can be unpredictable at times. The most recent example is “TMNT: Tactical Takedown,” a game developed by Strange Scaffold that they describe as a “turn-based brawler.” Although it’s an unusual combination, after playing it from start to finish, I struggle to find another fitting description.

Turtle tropes

As a gamer, if I want to give my TMNT project an edge and make it stand out, one effective approach is by creating a shocking twist. In this case, the wise old rat sensei, Splinter, has met his end. The turtles are devastated, each dealing with their grief in their own way. While they’re busy addressing separate issues (or struggling with personal problems like Leo’s public downfall), chaos erupts at the sewer lair. The Foot Clan, led by a new, enigmatic figure (it seems to be Karai once again), are on the move, swiping relics related to the Shredder (who, sadly, is no more).

Initially, the narrative of Tactical Takedown felt somewhat disappointing. However, it deserves praise for being lighthearted with quick, humorous exchanges within a story that spans around five hours. Unfortunately, as someone who has consumed numerous stories about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dealing with personal issues and not working together harmoniously only to reunite as brothers again, I’ve become rather tired of this pattern, even as a long-time fan. However, there is an intriguing twist near the end that cleverly addresses a familiar and overused TMNT story trope in a way that feels fresh and directly relevant to the game. This unexpected resolution left me genuinely excited, which was a pleasant surprise indeed. I’m looking forward to it!

Trust me, it actually makes sense

As a devoted gamer, I must say that despite the hurdles I face while writing about it, Tactical Takedown is simply extraordinary! The blend of turn-based gameplay and beat-em-up action is spot on, evoking memories of Metal Slug Tactics by seamlessly adapting an arcade-style foundation into a strategic system. It’s quite unusual to find such a combination, but when it works this well, it becomes utterly captivating.

This game has a knack for understanding and speaking the language of brawlers, even though it presents itself as plastic figures moving on a grid-based battlefield. Watching it in action makes all the pieces fall into place, and once you grasp the intricacies of the combat mechanics, it’s both impressive and enjoyable to play. And let me tell you, it’s an absolute blast to play!

As a thrill-seeking gamer, I find myself immersed in a breathtaking dance of survival, strategy, and fluidity. The triumph of advancing a stage is not merely about reaching the finish line, but enduring the final twist. Unlike traditional tactical games, each stage isn’t confined to a static board; instead, it evolves, with chunks of terrain dropping from the sky as time progresses, urging continuous movement as the landscape crumbles and vanishes into nothingness behind me. At times, I see the exhilarating word “GO!” floating in mid-air. It’s like navigating through screens in a brawler stage, mowing down seemingly endless hordes of opponents. What makes it even more exciting is the ability to trap enemies on collapsing platforms or, reminiscent of Turtles in Time, simply knock them out of bounds, eliminating them instantly. And if that wasn’t enough, there are unexpected elements like warning signs on the ground followed by a car hurtling through the air! It seems they’ve thought of everything, truly remarkable.

As a gamer diving into the world of Turtles, I’ve come to realize that mobility is key because, as our narrative unfolds, our beloved Turtles are scattered far and wide. Their reasons for being apart vary from unforeseen circumstances to their stubborn nature, refusing to reunite. Unlike most tactical games where you control a team, each level in this game puts me in the shoes of one character, battling hordes of enemies. The gameplay also emphasizes the beat-em-up feel and integrates moving across the stage with combo-like mechanics that keep the action flowing. The climax, which I alluded to earlier while discussing the storyline, is quite a surprise. Yet, despite its structural differences from other tactical games, Tactical Takedown offers ample opportunities for strategic thinking to ensure your brain cells don’t starve!

Turtle Power, Cowabunga, Shell pun, etc.

Each Turtle possesses unique skills, and every gaming kit harmoniously encourages continuous movement and inflicting damage throughout the game. Mikey employs his skateboard to leap over adversaries while dealing damage en route, Donatello scatters gadgets all around and manipulates space with his staff, Raphael engages in close combat to generate additional turns, and Leo is exceptionally powerful but struggling under the weight of self-imposed stress. However, he’s nearing exhaustion and cannot bear the strain any longer.

The overall experience, encompassing what I detailed in the last two sections, is tangible and immersive. I completed the entire game within a few sessions, making me feel as if I was playing a classic Konami beat-em-up with a fresh twist. However, this game can be overly clever at times, and some advanced skills you can acquire seem unnecessary. But overall, it’s quite intelligent!

The game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown caught me off guard in a delightful way. It wasn’t just about my enjoyment, but the ingenious way Strange Scaffold implemented an idea that seemed odd on paper, yet executed brilliantly. I never would have imagined what a turn-based brawling game could be, but now I fully grasp the concept. As someone who prefers hands-on combat over strategic command, this tactical approach stimulated the best parts of my brain and kept me engaged until the end credits. Plus, the ending song is fantastic!

On May 22nd, 2025, you can get your hands on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown for PC gaming. The code for this game, intended for review purposes, has been supplied by the publisher.

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2025-05-22 16:28