Even from a brief, 15-minute vertical slice of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City, I was left feeling optimistic about what can potentially be one of the most immersive TMNT games yet.
Developed by Cortopia Studios, the minds behind both the VR game Gorn titles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City transports players into the rich and vibrant comic book world of the Ninja Turtles. My time with the brief demo gave me access to the opening act of the game, which doubles as the tutorial, in which the player can get accustomed to the four distinct turtles.
Despite the game still feeling a little underdeveloped, particularly in how it lacks the oomph or feedback loop associated with a good fight, the turtles’ weapons feel solid. From Leonardo’s iconic dual blades, which can be equipped with the hilt facing up or down, to Michelangelo’s nunchucks, which offer a wide range of movement and let players slap around Foot Ninja grunts with ease, each turtle feels well-realized. Don’s bō staff is likely the most unique weapon in the game, requiring players to grip both ends and almost paddle it around the screen to whip enemies effectively.
The demo begins in the sewers, moves to the rooftops, and ends in a warehouse where all four turtles converge. The first sections guide players as they learn how to play while giving insight into the mechanics. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City features a strong dose of stealth, allowing players to dispatch enemies by sneaking up to them or sprinting into a dash and kicking them, Kamen Rider style, into submission.
Other mechanics include typical VR grab-and-push actions to run up walls and climb. These feel solid and suit the urban-jungle theme of New York City. As for enemies and story, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City appears to take place sometime after the fall of Shredder. The turtles are in vacation mode until April fills them in on what seems to be remnants of the Foot Clan trying to secure some of Shredder’s gear from a warehouse. Graphically, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City looks fantastic on the Meta Quest 3. It features a distinct cel-shaded, comic-book aesthetic that works well for modern Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles media.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City seems to take place sometime after the fall of Shredder.”
In particular, the game’s aesthetic reminded me of the early-2000s take on the turtles, which had a slightly more mature edge than some of the more recent iterations of the franchise. If I had a minor concern, it would be the design of the Foot Clan grunts. I may be unfamiliar with this version, but they look a little more like a knockoff Spider-Man than threatening ninjas. I hope the full game adds some variation to the enemy designs. Even so, for such an early look, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City is already shaping up to be promising.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City changes up the combat and parkour-based gameplay by introducing a simple but well-implemented hacking minigame. As Donatello, players move prisms to refract light along the correct path, which opens the door. Players can switch between turtles by interacting with an arcade machine, a small but welcome nod to the classic beat-’em-up TMNT games of the past.
Outside of taking on hordes of Foot Ninja, the demo for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City ends with an encounter featuring a Foot kunoichi, likely the character Karai. It is a fresh pick for a TMNT game and a strong fit for a VR title that emphasizes weapons-based combat.
“With no definitive release date set, I wish Cortopia Studios the best, as even this early build of the game oozes promise, like the leaky spill of neon green slime on a couple of hapless baby turtles.”
Outside the brief introductory level, the early build of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City, I had access to let me explore the turtle lair. It was easily the highlight of my experience. The area features a fully modelled and well-realized take on the TMNT homestead, complete with small nods to each of the turtles, making it a fun space to explore and enjoy.
With no definitive release date set, I wish Cortopia Studios the best. Even this early build of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City oozes promise, much like a leaky spill of neon-green slime on a pair of hapless baby turtles.
