Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City for the Meta Quest transcends mere superhero combat; it’s an innovative way to socialize and enjoy time with pals.
Considering the current state of the gaming sector, it continually astonishes me when a hidden treasure emerges and captivates my attention. It’s even more remarkable that this has occurred multiple times this year, with TMNT: Empire City being the latest instance of developers succeeding amidst a particularly challenging climate.
However, given the reputation of Cortopia Studios, this shouldn’t be overly surprising. The company has a track record of creating titles like Wands Alliances, Down the Rabbit Hole, Escaping Wonderland, and GORN 2, and it’s fantastic to see them applying their expertise to an intellectual property that holds a special place in my heart: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
I’ve cherished the turtles since my childhood, and the plethora of outstanding beat-em-up games that have emerged from the franchise over the years is nothing short of iconic. This recent installment delivers the action in first-person through a Meta Quest headset, allowing you to team up with three other friends — each representing a classic Ninja Turtle — to vanquish the Footclan once and for all following the demise of the Shredder, and there’s more here than you could have ever wished for!
Smells like teen spirit
Following an exceptionally engaging introduction showcasing all four turtles and their abilities, you discover that the Shredder has been killed, but a new antagonist aims to revive him in an even more formidable form, plunging New York City into chaos. As portals to another dimension emerge and the Footclan begins to invade, you awaken safely in the sewer-based Turtles’ Lair alongside Master Splinter, April O’Neil, and even Casey Jones.
From the beginning to the finish, the experience feels like a dynamic comic book. The visual aesthetics amplify this sensation, featuring bold cel-shaded outlines, deep shadows, and beautifully hand-painted textures. The game is remarkably interactive overall, packed with collectibles to discover, numerous optional side quests and activities to tackle, minigames to enjoy with friends, and plenty of objects to pick up and experiment with.
In numerous respects, this resembles a TMNT rendition of the latest PlayStation Spider-Man games. You have a sizable New York City to navigate, complete with distinct neighborhoods and sections, underground sewer systems, buildings to enter for quest completion, spontaneous crimes and tasks that arise around the city as you explore, as well as countless ways to parkour and flaunt your ninja prowess.
Like any well-designed modern open-world game — particularly in VR — you can scale virtually anything in sight. Reaching for building sides, ledges, steel beams, light poles, etc., will highlight where to grab with a white indicator. This mechanic feels fitting for a Ninja Turtle, as you need to reach specific points to climb, not just plain rock faces, yet there are ample ways to scale a building for an improved vantage point.
TMNT: Empire City favors players who tackle scenarios with a stealthy mindset, but you can always charge in and unleash chaos if you prefer the classic beat-em-up gameplay. True to expectation, each Turtle wields its unique weapon and abilities, complemented by plenty of humor and personality.
Combat is gratifying and immersive, although somewhat simple at the outset, with challenges ramping up and becoming more diverse as you advance through the game. You’ll also encounter numerous small puzzles along your journey. Locked doors might call for a keycard or a conveniently situated computer to hack, or perhaps even a power junction box that you need to rewire (through a fun laser puzzle).
You’ll discover plenty of debris scattered around. Plastic components, electronic scraps, and other items can be utilized in Donnie’s workshop back in the Turtle Lair to craft upgrades and items. You can carry several items in your pouch and players can equip two upgrades from a list of unlockables that best fit the mission. There’s a wealth of content, rewarding those who enjoy exploration, which is fantastic to see in a game like this.
The new hangout
When I initially teamed up with a friend in TMNT: Empire City, we exchanged high-fives and quickly realized how enjoyable it is to inhabit the role of a Ninja Turtle. The Turtle Lair is adorned in a way that feels authentic. Each Turtle’s room reflects their distinctive personalities. There’s even a chessboard in the living room with pieces you must locate throughout the game, ultimately leading to a board you can use to play with friends.
Dashing and climbing through the city with companions is a blast, and between the minigames and tactical planning for your next strike, there’s no lack of activities.