The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has been making waves in the video game world lately. With a diverse range of titles like the roguelike TMNT: Splintered Fate, beat-'em-ups like TMNT Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants and TMNT: Mutants Unleashed, and the mysterious upcoming PS5 game TMNT: The Last Ronin, it's clear that this beloved franchise is thriving in the gaming arena. However, one unexpected development was the announcement of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles strategy game from Strange Scaffold, a studio known for its indie favorites such as Clickolding, I Am Your Beast, and El Paso, Elsewhere.

Uniting Turn-Based Tactics and Beat-'Em-Up in a Ninja Turtles Game

Unique Movesets and Super Moves

As the name Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown suggests, it's a turn-based strategy game that incorporates the classic beat-'em-up elements. The usual turtle foursome - Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo - each have their own mini-campaign. In these campaigns, players get to wield unique movesets and utilize super moves to turn the tide against opponents in strategic, turn-based battles. These movesets add a layer of depth and variety to the gameplay, making each turtle's combat style distinct. For example, Leonardo's moves might focus on precision and quick strikes, while Raphael's could be more powerful and aggressive. The super moves, on the other hand, are powerful abilities that can turn the tide of a battle in an instant. They add a sense of excitement and urgency to the gameplay, as players need to time their use carefully to gain the upper hand.

These quick-play sessions that feel meaningful are perfect for gamers who want to enjoy a fast-paced gaming experience. The fast-paced encounters only take minutes to complete, allowing players to jump in and out of the game easily. However, as players progress through the game, they will eventually face a dramatic finale where the Turtles must unite against evil forces. This adds a sense of narrative and progression to the game, making it more than just a simple beat-'em-up or strategy game.

Collaboration with Paramount Game Studios

Strange Scaffold is working closely with Paramount Game Studios on this project. As Doug Rosen, SVP of Games & Emerging Media at Paramount, said via the press release, "Working with Xalavier Nelson Jr. and his team at Strange Scaffold has been an incredible experience. From our first conversation, it was clear Xalavier's vision for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown would exceed our expectations." This collaboration brings together the creative talents of both studios, resulting in a game that is sure to be a unique and exciting addition to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.

Xalavier Nelson Jr. himself expressed his gratitude for the collaboration and the trust placed in his team. As he put it (via the PR), "I will be forever grateful to Doug Rosen and the team at Paramount for their collaboration, and putting their trust in our team to make an original take on the world that soars. I get to make a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game where the very first lines of dialogue establish that Shredder and Splinter are dead. Who else can say that?" This shows the creative freedom and vision that the team has for the game, and how they are looking to break away from the traditional TMNT storylines.

Release on PCs via Steam in 2025

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is set to hit PCs via Steam in 2025. This gives fans of the franchise and strategy game enthusiasts alike something to look forward to. The game's unique combination of turn-based tactics and beat-'em-up elements, along with its engaging story and gameplay, make it a must-play for fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and strategy games in general.

With its release on Steam, the game will be accessible to a wide audience of gamers. It will allow players to experience the world of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in a new and exciting way, combining the strategic thinking of turn-based games with the action-packed combat of beat-'em-ups. This is sure to be a game that will stand out in the crowded world of video games and become a favorite among fans of the franchise.