Go Ninja Go Ninja Go!

You know you're dealing with a legendary franchise when you only require initials to name your game. TMNT™ (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) needs little introduction as a franchise to their millions of fans. This is no mere extension of the series, however, as both the game and the movie it's based on look to reinvent everyone's favorite mutated franchise.

Break dance fighting!

Refocused
The Ninja Turtles are well accustomed to changing with the times. The original graphic novels were gritty, black-and-white affairs that told tales of revenge and brotherhood, whereas the cartoon obviously took a more light-hearted, kid-friendly approach.

What is noticeable from the start of the new TMNT game is the fusion of these two approaches. The look and feel of the game as well as its story is more graphic novel than cartoon, but the wildly unique and often humorous personalities of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo are fully intact.

Hybrid Gameplay
The team at Ubisoft Montreal has embraced the acrobatic nature of our turtle heroes and highlighted it as a key gameplay mechanic. You'll run, jump, shimmy, slide, and generally athletically navigate your environment as quickly as possible. To push the action forward, the emphasis is placed on speed, and you are rewarded with new content based partly on how quickly you finish levels.

New acrobatic ninja techniques.

Of course, our heroes are ninjas, so we can't overlook the action portion of the game. Like the platform elements, it's the turtle's speed and athleticism that's highlighted. Using an in-depth combo system, you can string together incredibly lengthy combinations, and provided you don't get hit, build up your power meter to unleash a slow-motion mode to cause devastating damage.

Unique Personalities
Ubisoft Montreal also understood that each character is unique, not only in their fighting styles, but also in personality and motivation as well. These differences are not only a major focus of the ongoing story, but they're also used to differentiate the play-style, allowing you to feel the difference when you switch between turtles.

Combating the new Foot Clan.

Whether it's Raphael's ability to scale walls with his sais or Donatello's pole-vaulting ability, each turtle has their own unique skills. What's more, each level's story is tailored to the abilities of one of the turtles. In one level Leonardo, the team's leader, goes off to the jungle to search for an artifact, while Raphael protects the city, Donatello invents a new technology, and Michelangelo makes money with his crazy antics.

Behind the Scenes

Of course, the TMNT game is based on the upcoming Warner Brothers computer animated movie of the same name, and its connection to the film is built in. Not only does it follow the same basic story, but as you succeed in the game, you can unlock behind the scenes artwork and even video clips of the movie.

TMNT represents a fresh start for the franchise, and by embracing the wit and humor the turtles are known for, as well as the more serious tone of the original graphic novels, TMNT is set to both re-imagine the four ninja brothers, and revitalize them as well.

Article by Ryan Treit