I’m not usually one for roguelike games. In fact, I’ve only really dabbled in the critically acclaimed game Hades. However, if there was ever going to be a licence that tempts into the roguelike genre once and for all, it’s going to be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Fans of the TMNT comics may also be pleased to know that authors Tom Waltz and Kevin Michael John have written the story for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate.

Check out the TMNT: Splintered Fate trailer below!

Developed and published by the brilliantly named Super Evil Megacorp, Splintered Fate has a story fans of the franchise should enjoy. Master Splinter has been kidnapped and taken through what appears to be a portal to another dimension (typical TMNT stuff). With the aid of April O’Neil and friends, brothers Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michaelangelo embark on a quest to save their master. The maniacal Shredder and his Foot Clan may or may not be involved.

From its art style and gameplay, there’s little denying that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate isn't inspired by Hades, and that’s ok. It doesn't matter what form of entertainment it is, rarely is a new release truly original and just about everything is inspired by another piece of art. That being said, Super Evil Megacorp does have some ideas of its own with Splintered Fate.

Splintered Fate is a fast-flowing action game that requires more than just button-mashing to progress. You’ll need to utilise well-timed dodges, make use of your power-ups, be strategic and not go in all katanas blazing. I quickly learned this lesson 20 minutes into the game and was immediately sent back to the Turtle Lair to recoup and go again. I would encourage you to select different abilities for each run, especially if you’re not making good progress as there seems to be an ideal build for each chapter.

Super Evil Megacorp

You will fail a lot in this game and it will be disheartening at first, but do not let that put you off. This game isn't overly difficult but as with most games of this genre, when you die, you restart from the very beginning. Thankfully at least, Splintered Fate does have permanent upgrades, so it still feels like you’re making progress, even when defeated. What’s more, you are also offered two difficulty choices on your first run, normal and easy, which can be switched on the fly during gameplay.

When you’re sent back to the lair, you can upgrade your abilities for your next run and swap turtle characters, each with their skills and abilities. When your new run starts, power pick-ups, and enemies will be randomised including sub-bosses but from what I can tell, much of the environments remain pretty much the same. Yet, it’s when you die that you’ll start to feel more immersed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate as it embeds a desire not to be defeated, harnessing the heroic attitudes of the brotherly quartet.

The biggest trump up its sleeve is that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate includes multiplayer, both online and couch co-op. It feels like couch co-op is a dying form of multiplayer nowadays with the main form of delivery being online in recent years. So it’s nice to have the option of gathering three friends for four-player fun. Game progression, however, will be tied to the host player.

Super Evil Megacorp

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate also has a feature that caught me by surprise, albeit a welcome one. At times, due to the limitations of the Nintendo Switch, there will be the occasional framerate stutter. I don’t have the means to test exact framerates, nor does it inform you of the maximum framerate this game can achieve but there is a cinematic mode that caps the framerate at 30fps and increases the image quality. However, the uncapped framerate wasn't off-putting and I prefer not to activate the cinematic mode, but it's a nice choice to have nonetheless.

All in all, combined with its snazzy visuals that look delightful in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch and the surprisingly good performances of actors for every character, this game is a treat. While it doesn't do much to evolve the genre, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is a blast the moment you fire up the game and you’ll be a lean, mean fighting machine in no time.

Pros: Fun gameplay loop, lush visuals, good voice acting

Cons: Does not do much to evolve the genre

For fans of: Hades, Transistor

Score: 8/10: Excellent

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is out now on Nintendo Switch. A code for review was supplied by the publisher. Find a complete guide to GAMINGbible's review scores here.