Why TMNT: The Last Ronin Could Be The Next Big AAA Game

TMNT: The Last Ronin has finally brought the franchise into the realm of AAA gaming. Despite the recent success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, the franchise has gotten mostly mediocre games at best. Given how the graphic novel of the same name was a massive success, I believe that the game can be an easy home run if the potential is delivered.

What Is TMNT: The Last Ronin About?

The story of TMNT: The Last Ronin, written by co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, takes place in a dark future where three of the four mutant turtles and their master, Splinter, have been slain by the grandson of The Shredder, Oroku Hiroto. The last standing turtle will not rest until he has avenged his family and killed Hiroto. The focus on a dark and gritty story has been a popular demand from the fans for a long time and this is where The Last Ronin can fulfill that demand. 

The Failed Potential Of The Previous Titles

One of the many problems the previous games faced was more focus on quantity rather than quality. The combat, at times, can get boring and needs to be fleshed out for a player to try different moves on enemies. The choice to play between the four turtles was fine but could get monotonous despite playing in co-op. Overall, the experience wasn’t rewarding enough and didn’t leave much of a lasting impact on the player.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love playing with friends in co-op like in Shredder’s Revenge or Turtles in Time. Personally, the joy of taking the last pizza for heath recovery before your friends do, or competing for the high score will be timeless. However, I also believe that the single-player experience that TMNT: The Last Ronin will bring will be a breath of fresh air that fans will wholeheartedly welcome.

The Reveal Trailer Accurately Sets The Dark Tone 

The monochrome trailer featured four extinguished candles, symbolizing the demise of three turtles and establishing a somber atmosphere. Following the title card, the trailer showcased concept art, revealing the Last Ronin’s authentic comic-inspired attire. Armed with a drawn katana and the other turtles’ weapons strapped to his back, he confronts futuristic Foot clan soldiers, offering players a glimpse of the game’s thrilling visuals.

TMNT: The Last Ronin’s Gameplay Can Be Intense

In TMNT: The Last Ronin, the last surviving turtle wields all four weapons, honoring his fallen brothers. This in return cleverly keeps Ronin’s identity a secret, making it a perfect fit for a game. Unlike other TMNT titles, this single-player adventure focuses on one turtle, a departure from the co-op modes that allowed players to team up as their favorite heroes.

In both the graphic novel and the game, Ronin’s story takes center stage. Flashbacks of the other turtles’ final days provide a natural opportunity for tutorials on each weapon type, seamlessly integrated into the narrative. Ghostly appearances by the other turtles will allow fans to interact with their beloved characters and experience the unique combat styles of all four turtles, despite the main focus being on one of them.

Last but not least, focus on stealth is more crucial than ever. Hiding in the shadows, escaping from multiple foot soldiers when there are no other options left will certainly get a player’s heartbeat racing. Hence, these experiences can be easily fleshed out with the game’s potential M rating so there’s no holding back the dev team to deliver the story they desire.

Chance To Add Easter Eggs From Previous Iterations

There’s plenty of source material from the comics to use as a reference and this in return can be used to find hidden bonuses. Similar to how AAA games like Marvel’s Spider-Man allow players to interact with different items, TMNT: The Last Ronin can take cues from this, and whenever the players visit the lair or places from New York City, they can explore freely and test their knowledge of any hidden references they find.

Call me a nerd but I love exploring everything in games I really enjoy. Seeing how the devs put so much time and effort into respecting the source material escalates my respect for them. It feels like they’re just like us who love the series they’re developing and trying their best to bring out a great product for fans to enjoy and remember for a long time. 

This is the same feeling I hope TMNT: The Last Ronin brings in all of us. Every time, gaming doesn’t have to be about action. At times, it’s worth kicking back and diving deep into the exploration of your game’s environment. Just like how Marvel’s Spider-Man did it, here’s hoping that The Last Ronin can deliver on the same scale.

In conclusion, fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have every reason to be excited about the upcoming game, as it draws inspiration from acclaimed stories and award-winning games like God of War. If done justice, this can be our cowabunga moment and even bring newcomers to the franchise since TMNT: The Last Ronin can be their perfect introduction to it.