Cowabunga! Get ready to dive into the sewers, because Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City is bringing the radical action of the heroes in a half-shell to VR headsets next year! This is the first-ever Turtles game in VR. I had a chance to check out a 15-minute demo on the Quest, and let me tell you, it's shaping up to be a bodacious beat 'em up experience.
In TMNT: Empire City, you'll team up with all four iconic Turtles – Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo – each wielding their signature weapons: katanas, sai, bo staff, and nunchaku. The game stays true to its roots; you won't be brutally taking down enemies, but rather knocking them out as you explore the levels, either solo or with up to three friends in co-op mode.
Beyond the combat, there's a good helping of adventure-style gameplay. You'll solve puzzles, hunt for specific items, and scavenge for crafting materials to upgrade your sewer lair. Each Turtle gets their own upgrades, adding a layer of depth to the gameplay. You'll also have a handy smartwatch displaying your health, real-world time, and a map to navigate NYC-inspired levels. I got a sneak peek at tunnels leading to Chinatown, the Lower East Side, and a 'Port' area.
The demo perfectly captures the essence of the '90s sidescroller games, making it feel definitively Turtles. You can jump, kick, dash, and zoom around, battling the dreaded Foot Clan.
But here's where it gets controversial... The melee combat isn't physics-based, but there's a block, parry, and strike system. However, it needs some refinement before it feels completely reliable. You can play strategically, blocking and parrying before striking, or, as I did, you can just slice and dice without a care.
It's hard to say how combat will ultimately play out, but it has the potential to be a great experience if more challenging enemies can prevent players from exploiting the system. Some enemies have unblockable moves, like the demo's boss, which could make combat more tactical.
The 15-minute demo was heavily focused on tutorials, but it's promising. I'm eager to see more of the story and experience the multiplayer with a full team of four.
The game has absolutely nailed the Turtles' aesthetic and vibe. The cel-shaded visuals are consistently cool, making it feel like it jumped straight out of the comic books. The voice acting is spot-on, perfectly capturing the spirit of the '90s cartoons.
While the launch date for TMNT: Empire City is still a mystery, you can add it to your wishlist on the Horizon Store, Pico Store, and Steam.
What do you think? Are you excited about a VR Turtles game? Do you prefer strategic combat or button-mashing action? Let me know in the comments!
