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TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANTS IN MANHATTAN
review | XBOX ONE
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Publisher: Activision.
Developer: PlatinumGames. Released: May 2016. Genre: Hack 'n' Slash. Other versions: X360; PS4; PS3; PC. Posted 18th July 2025. By Shane Battams © 2025 |
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While many fond memories have stemmed from Konami’s arcade classics, notably Turtles in Time, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have endured a rougher run in the video game space in more recent times. Weak-sauce attempts at revivals, pointless Nickelodeon shovelware and mediocre movie tie-ins mean the joys of the golden era coin-ops seem ever more distant. However, when it was announced that nostalgia freaks and top-quality action developer PlatinumGames was making Mutants in Manhattan, there was genuine hope for fans once again. Yet again, however, despite online co-op and some decent ideas, fans will be left feeling sicker than if they’d gorged on week-old pizza.
Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael return as the quartet look to take down series veterans such as Rocksteady, Bebop and the Shredder. Each mission follows a similar structure: you complete a series of sub-missions to fill a meter, which then allows you to proceed with a boss fight to end the level. Each mission ranks you based on speed and performance, as well as awarding bonuses for feats. The missions are randomly determined, varying based on the level you choose. Bosses have multiple health meters and require a good deal of damage to take down. All in all, nine stages run you through a tour of villains from the turtles’ past and present. Pretty standard stuff so far, but the problems begin when you delve deeper.
Despite providing AI and online co-op, this disappointing Turtles outing overlooks local multiplayer
The design also flounders. Levels follow the same principle, as you’re placed into bigger stages with objectives to complete before you confront a boss, bar a couple which take place in sewers that present a more linear progression. Unfortunately, missions preceding bosses are an utter bore, be it escorting gold back to the bank or disposing of dangerous weaponry. You can try to sneak between objectives and perform takedowns, but this repetitive design otherwise wears thin long before you reach the end. Bosses themselves are on the same difficulty level as the rest of the game, though you do get the odd chance of a bonus boss spawning with another, which can up the challenge. For example, a fight with Bebop in the opening stage can see Rocksteady join in, depending on your score and the difficulty. But it’s still not enough to prevent burnout.
Mutants in Manhattan wears out its welcome quickly, and it ends not long after that: you can breeze through the game in six hours or less. There’s the option to level-up abilities using points earned in combat, upgrade charms which add bonuses such as improved drop rates from enemies or faster cooldowns on abilities, or hunt for collectables. These are randomly generated though, meaning you could collect three distinct collectables and have them all turn out the same. You can tackle the game in co-op too, as while solo allows you to pick one of the turtles, the rest can be filled with either AI or online partners, with local play sadly non-existent. You can switch freely between turtles when playing solo, but co-op alleviates the tedium somewhat. However, it’s still really poor value for money.
Mutants in Manhattan wears out its welcome quickly, and it ends not long after that: you can breeze through the game in six hours or less. There’s the option to level-up abilities using points earned in combat, upgrade charms which add bonuses such as improved drop rates from enemies or faster cooldowns on abilities, or hunt for collectables. These are randomly generated though, meaning you could collect three distinct collectables and have them all turn out the same. You can tackle the game in co-op too, as while solo allows you to pick one of the turtles, the rest can be filled with either AI or online partners, with local play sadly non-existent. You can switch freely between turtles when playing solo, but co-op alleviates the tedium somewhat. However, it’s still really poor value for money.
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It's also quite a cheap-looking game, closer resembling an upscaled 360 game. Platinum opts for a cel-shaded look, but it lacks refinement or detail, environments are used and reused between chapters, and despite some decent weather effects in some areas, it’s not very impressive. Though fast frame rates aren’t always essential, the locked 30FPS leaves Mutants looking very slow compared to competing games. The audio is infuriating, with the same four-second music loop being repeated at the end of every cut-scene, uninspired music and canned dialogue that becomes maddening before you’ve even completed the opening chapter.
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TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan is very disappointing. When you consider the developer’s pedigree, this rushed action game falls completely flat next to both competing games and Platinum’s other projects. Rote design leaves levels blending together, shallow combat becomes dull incredibly quickly, and the short runtime means it’s a borderline rip-off. Fans of the heroes in a half-shell would be better off replaying Turtles in Time, cartoon enthusiasts should stick with Transformers Devastation, and even Platinum fans will find this a difficult game to stomach.
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VERDICT"Mutants in Manhattan is a rushed, short and shallow action game which falls completely flat next to competing games. Even fans of Platinum will find this a difficult game to stomach." OVERALL: 4/10 |
OTHER TURTLES ACTION GAMES REVIEWED
TMHT: The Hyperstone Heist (1993, Mega Drive)
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TMNT (2007, Game Boy Advance)
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