TMNT Shredder's Revenge: Still A Beat Em Up Masterpiece

 

(Image Source: Nintendo.Com)

When this game was announced I was beyond excited, I love "TMNT IV Turtles In Time", and the beat em up genre as a whole. So seeing this filled me with nostalgia, wonder, and pure joy, Following every trailer just built that excitement until it was finally given a date, and when I played it, it surpassed all expectations. This was a game that lived up the hype and I am so glad it did. 

This game is over a year old and it is still amazing. Since at the time of this post there is a new turtles film hitting the big screen, I decided to revisit this game, and see if the hype was still there. Spoilers the hype for this game is alive and well, so well that DLC is on the way that I and many others are excited for. I fired up my copy on PS5, and I was flying solo for this run. This would be my fourth time playing through the game all the way through. I have played handfuls levels with friends, whole playthroughs with friends, and a couple on my own, so I have experienced it every way. 

This game is a title that is amazing shared or solo, and that is a tough act to balance, but this game pulls it off well. The game was just as fun as it was when I first booted it up, the music amazing, the presentation fantastic, and the gameplay, a fun, nostalgic love letter from start screen to credits. The game was still a blast, the stages were the perfect length, the bonuses being loving nods to the series and the characters full of personality. Each stage brought a mile wide smile to my face, and though I like some more then others, there wasn't a stage that dragged down the entire experience. 

The gameplay feels like an arcade game was made today, specials, throws, light and heavy attacks on the air and on the ground, make the gameplay well rounded and an all around blast. The game can all be beaten in one sitting and has that run time that makes it replayable and welcomes multiple visits with different characters. Each one standing out with their own attributes that fit the player's styles and preferences like a glove. The combat blends well and the enemy variety is also great, each needing a different technique to overcome. 

The bosses are fun challenges full of charm, references and as much personality as the playable characters. Standing in your way and providing a bump in difficulty but not a full on spike. A fun break to end each stage. The game has in game challenges and achievements as well to encourage multiple trips, adding a nice fun twist on a stage instead of just repeated visits.  My personal favorite being the ride stages, some of the fun, high octane, arcade style gameplay, but just different enough to stand out and be so memorable, with some of the best music in the game.

And the music, the music is incredible, there is not a single weak track in this game, and each one stands on their own. Bringing the high energy, matching the setting and stage, as well as being a good listen on their own. The few tracks that have lyrics are also a treat, fantastic listens as well. The environments are beautiful and the sprite work incredible, the animations on this game just add more layers to the outstanding personality this game has. The stages look perfect, the game plays incredibly well, and the music all bind together to make an unforgettable experience. 

This game is as great now as it was then, and will still be great. Looking back this game was not overhyped or was viewed as super good only for flaws to show later. This game is still excellent, every single aspect, even if you are not a fan of the series, this a great game with great music, a must play.