Activision has officially announced their first TMNT video game title, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Our of the Shadows." And what a curious entry into the TMNT video game library this is. Check out the first trailer:
As of right now, the game will only be available as a download from Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, and Stream on PCs. Gameplay will feature 4-player online co-op as the Turtles fight the Foot Clan through New York City.
"Out of the Shadows" is supposedly "inspired by" the Nickelodeon cartoon series, but it obviously doesn't take its visual cues from the series. No, instead of using the awesome designs from that series, they've opted to design the Turtles to look like horrible, badly-proportioned fan art. I can appreciate them wanting to go for a more realistic look than the cartoon series has to offer - that allows them to appeal to a broader, older audience - but these Turtles look like crap.
I remember when Nickelodeon first bought the TMNT and my biggest fear was that they would totally reinvent the characters so that they didn't at all resemble the Turtles that I had adored for 20 years. Then when we got the first look at the designs for the CGI cartoon series, I was incredibly relieved. And now that we've finally seen the series it's awesome and amazing. And the IDW comic book has been similarly impressive. All seemed to be good (with the looming possible exception of the upcoming movie). With all the good coming out of Nickelodeon, the sudden appearance of these craptacular Turtles is quite curious, indeed.
We'll just have to wait and see how this plays out.
Oddly enough, I love all 3 styles. The IDW comics and the Nickelodeon cartoon exceeded my expectations and I love them, but I also like this attempt at making them look like real turtles to do something different.
ReplyDeleteNow, don't get me wrong. I acknowledge that they are ugly as hell, but I think it's really cool.
What would be even cooler is if all the Activision games had different styles (think, Legend of Zelda, how the styles and Link are always different). I'd be down with that. Though I do want one with the 2012 show's style at some point. Hoping for a classic-style beat-em up on 3DS.
Ugh, I do NOT like the turtles having nostrils. I was really looking forward to a new game based on the new series. Well, Activision has a 3 game deal right? Maybe the next one. (not to say I won't get this game too, it IS TMNT after all)
ReplyDeleteHmm... maybe they know something about the new movie that we don't. Perhaps this is the Michael Bay TMNT movie look?
ReplyDeleteThe bodies look ok. The faces look weird.
ReplyDeleteI would love a TMNT game that took its visual style from the new toy line. Imagine if the faces on the turtles in this game looked more like the first wave of action figures. That would be badass.
Sayonara.
The look utterly stupid. And Activision doesn't have a good track record when it comes to movie/tv/comic based videogames so I won't hold my breath.
ReplyDeleteComic book games that Activision has done
Delete1.Spider-Man ( very good)
2.Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro(Pretty good)
3.Spider-Man the movie game(good)
4.Spider-Man 2: the movie game was consider one of the best movie/superhero game.
5.Ultimate Spider-Man very good
6.X-Men Legends: good game
7.X-Men Legends 2: another good game.
8. X-Men Origins: Wolverine: not the greatest but still fun
9.Spider-Man web of shadows: Good
10.Marvel Ultimate Alliance: good
11.Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Solid from what I hear.
12.Spider-Man shattered dimensions: good
13. The Amazing Spider-Man: good
Now to the no so good
1.X2: Wolverine's revenge
2. X-Men Destiny
3.X-Men 3 game
4. Spider-Man friend or foe
5. Spider-Man 3 the Movie game: For the PS2 and Wii
The meh
1.Spider-Man 3 the movie game
2.Spider-Man Edge of Time.
Every week I watch TMNT, I want to play the episode. They didn't have to worry about character design, level design, a story... all they had to do was let me play the show. Escape a wave of rats getting to the Rat King, pilot Metalhead against an army of Kraang, team up with your friends to take on Dogpound and when they get to the bosses, turn down the lights, take out the Turtles pupils and switch to ass-kicking mode.
ReplyDeletesigh...
I dont have any info to back up my guess, but here goes my speculation... I think their models and this game in general are based off the movie due out next year. I imagine that the popularity of the new tv show, and the fact that the movie has gone through multiple changes has made activision want to push this game out asap. im guessing the movie changed enough so that this game wont be a typical movie game as they originally planned. also the new cartoon is doing so well that hopefully they want to switch focus to a game featuring those turtles... or the IDW turtles which is awesome as well. sorry for the wall of text :D
ReplyDeleteI think you may be right, I think it was either based originally on the comics or the aforementioned movie and they are shoe-horning it into the new show's franchise. Interestingly the game has a PEGI 16 rating here in England.
Deletethe Pegi 16 rating kind of got me more excited, I wish they'd make a Turtles game for the older fans, something dark, gritty and prefferably with a little blood, this game probably wont be like that but the fact that it wasn't rated E was good enough for me, Have no idea what it's rated here in the States though doesn't say but it warns that it may be innapropriate for children so who knows?
DeleteI wouldn't mind a TMNT game based off the new series as long as it isn't like the 3 Konami PS2 games that had short levels, followed the episodes and had horrible platforming. I would like a game with the new series' art style, character models and an original story, no episode adaptions, make a solid beat em' up with some ninja platforming. I also don't think these turtles look THAT bad, maybe Raph but the look could grow on me like the "boxy" new Nickelodeon turtles which I didnt like at first.
ReplyDeleteIf they were going going for a more realistic look why not go with the 1990 Live action movie look? That would be awesome.
I can't wait to see more on this game, been dying for a good Turtle game since Turtles in Time on the SNES back in 1992 haha.
Wow, those designs are hideous. A new game is always good news, but this definitely lowers my expectations.
ReplyDelete