The iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back in Mutants Unleashed, an action-packed brawler developed by AHEARTFULOFGAMES and published by Outright Games. While the franchise is often associated with kid-friendly fare, this new entry looks ready to appeal to a wider audience, including older fans of the Turtles. We got a hands-on look at the game during Gamescom and came away with some promising impressions of how it builds on both its source material and its deep brawling mechanics.
What We Know
In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed, players take on the role of the four turtle brothers – Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello – on a mission to rid New York City of a new menace. After a series of mysterious ooze shipments have spread across the city, strange mutants called “Mewbies” have emerged. While not all Mewbies are hostile, their sudden appearance has thrown the city into chaos, and the Turtles are tasked with restoring order. With the help of familiar allies like April O’Neil and Splinter, players will take on various missions that range from battling these mutants to helping citizens and even delivering pizzas.
The game offers single-player and couch co-op modes, allowing players to team up and tackle the action together. Each turtle has unique abilities and fighting styles, adding variety to the gameplay. Alongside the brawling, there are exploration elements where players can navigate between city streets and the Turtles’ home in the sewers. The game is heavily inspired by original cartoons as well as the recent TMNT movie, continuing its story while adding new gameplay elements like graffiti collection and pizza delivery missions.
What We Saw
At Gamescom, we met with Outright Games for a hands-on session with an advanced build of Mutants Unleashed. We were free to select any of the four Turtles, which allowed us to explore both combat mechanics and some of the more lighthearted aspects of the game. We spent time battling Mewbies and interacting with New York’s various districts, getting a good feel for the gameplay.
What We Thought
Our time with Mutants Unleashed showed that the game has much more depth than we initially expected, especially in terms of its brawling mechanics. While the game is accessible to younger audiences, it doesn’t shy away from complexity, making it appealing to longtime fans of the franchise who might be looking for more mature gameplay. Each Turtle has a distinct fighting style that feels true to their personality, giving you different tactical options, especially when playing together. The controls are responsive, and the combo system feels satisfying, with enough depth to keep more experienced players engaged.
Visually, the game does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the Turtles, especially if you’re a fan of their recent cinematic outings. The characters feel like they’ve leaped off the screen, with animations and designs that stay true to the source material. The environments, whether in the bustling streets of New York or the underground lair of the Turtles, are colorful and detailed, offering plenty of fan service. There are tons of little nods to the franchise that longtime fans will appreciate, from graffiti referencing past TMNT villains to character interactions that feel ripped straight from the comics or cartoons.
However, not everything is perfect. While the co-op gameplay is fun, we noticed that some of the objectives outside of combat, like delivering pizzas, could get repetitive over time. It’s a quirky and thematic addition, but it doesn’t add much to the overall experience, which is at its best when you’re knee-deep in a brawl. The exploration elements are fun, but the city itself can sometimes feel a bit empty outside of the main mission zones. Still, with the game’s art style and the Turtles’ charm, it’s hard not to enjoy even the more laid-back moments.
Overall, Mutants Unleashed seems poised to be a hit with fans of the franchise, offering something for both younger gamers and those who have been following the Turtles since the 80s. The combat feels deep enough to stay engaging over multiple playthroughs, especially with the addition of co-op, and the game’s dedication to honoring the TMNT legacy should leave fans feeling satisfied.
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