Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutants Unleashed Review (PlayStation 5)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed offers a mixed bag of experiences for players. The game boasts decent graphics and a manageable download size of 10.39GB, making it accessible for most players. It includes both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions, which is a nice touch for those with multiple consoles. The game settings are quite comprehensive, allowing adjustments for friendly fire, lock-on indicators, player indicators, slow-motion moves, and text speed. Additionally, it supports single and local two-player co-op, which adds to its replayability. The game features three save slots that display game progress, and the hand-drawn style cutscenes are a visual treat, perfectly capturing the essence of the latest Turtles movie. The 3D fighting adventure gameplay is engaging, with an opening tutorial section and pop-ups to guide players. The atmosphere and look of the movie are nailed, and the fully-voiced characters add depth to the experience.

However, the game is not without its flaws. One major issue is the lack of real camera control, which often results in the scenery obstructing the view. Conversations have awkward pauses that detract from the overall atmosphere, and the inability to skip all cutscenes or interactions can be frustrating. Leveling up is a slow and tedious process, as players must individually select each Turtle and carefully manage their experience points. The controls cannot be remapped, and there is no online co-op, which limits multiplayer options. The game is slow-paced, particularly in the story sections, and there is no way to view the controls outside of the moves list. Damage feedback is exaggerated, making players feel like they are close to death after every hit.

Despite these drawbacks, the game has several redeeming qualities. Players can choose which Turtle to play as in each level and call in others for assistance. In-game interactions are enhanced with text speech bubbles, and the health bar system, along with collectible pizzas, adds a layer of strategy. Increasing bonds with other characters unlock upgrades and special missions, and the Turtles’ lair offers a free-roam area for interactions and skill tree management. Cheat codes can be entered into the PC in the lair, and the world map level selection shows missions, friends, and activities with time limits, allowing for flexible gameplay. Tokens can be spent on arcade fortunes, and the game is particularly well-suited for younger gamers due to its streamlined gameplay loop and optional depth. Fast travel points, memorable locations, and decent loading times further enhance the experience. Environmental hazards add an extra challenge, and the game is a great fit for fans looking to expand the movie story and immerse themselves in the Turtles’ universe.

In summary, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed is a game with both strengths and weaknesses. Its engaging gameplay, visual style, and connection to the latest Turtles movie make it appealing, especially for younger players and fans of the franchise. However, issues with camera control, pacing, and certain gameplay mechanics may detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the game offers enough depth and variety to keep players entertained and invested in the Turtles’ adventures.