Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a free-to-play (F2P) game which gives users the opportunity to collect some of the most well known characters in the TMNT universe, as to which they can build a team to battle PVP and AI generated opponents. The game was published by Ludia and is available in the Amazon, Android and iOS app store.

Users can collect various villains and variations of the Ninja Turtles from the original characters in the 80s cartoon, modern-day movie iterations and the current Nickelodeon spin off. With a roster of over several dozen characters to collect, users have a vast array of characters from the TMNT universe to choose from.

Features and Benefits

Gameplay wise, as is the case with most collect-a hero F2P games, the concept is relatively straightforward. Users start out with the characters Karai and Leonardo as to which they immediately start their first mission. Combat consists of a turn-base approach and missions typically consist of fighting a wave of enemies, until they experience a boss encounter during the final wave. The characters themselves have basic attack moves and their own unique special moves that can be upgraded as the player levels up and gains experience. Some missions are challenge oriented and give the users special upgrades and materials for completing a specific tasks. Players have access to a PVP game mode, tournaments, campaign mode and special events which change on occasion such as a Halloween or summer related special event for example. The gameplay remains consistent regardless of what game mode a player chooses. However, players get to see different background themes and different villains, based on the game mode that they're playing.

Graphically, the developers did an excellent job. Characters are highly animated and look visually appealing. However, in the same breath, its visuals aren't particularly graphically demanding. So low-mid range smartphone owners should have no problem accessing the title. Watching the characters execute different attacks is always entertaining. Meanwhile, the game's background ranges from basic back alleys, to intricately detailed environments that are filled with various lights and activities occurring in the backdrop. The interface of the game is filled with an abundance of information, but looks visually appealing and features an abundance of satisfying particle effects.

Audio wise, they did an okay job. The game features various soundtracks from the franchise that fans are sure to recognize. However, in a disappointing turn of events, sound effects are practically non-existent. Meaning, while the soundtrack runs in the background, whenever a player attacks or gets attacked, there is no sound notification. The soundtrack just keeps playing. As such, attacking and defending feels much less immersive than it would have been, had the developers included combat related sound effects such as a sound effect for attacking or a sound effect for using a specialty. On a technical level, the app is able to run smoothly on a wide variety of devices: from low-to-high range smartphones and tablets. But, many users have reported that the app is relatively unstable, especially when it comes to participating in tournaments. And while stability issues are usually ironed out within a few months after an app's release, many players have reported that this is a consistent problem that never got addressed.

Pros

• Codes inside the packaging of physical TMNT action figures can be used for in-game rewards.
• Users are able to get free card packs every few hours. Card packs contain pizza (in-game energy), mutagen (in-game currency) and DNA (requirement for character progression).
• Turn based tactical gameplay flows well.
• Large roster of characters from different iterations of TMNT from the original cartoons of the 80s, to characters that were recently introduced in the 2014 movie.

Cons

• In order for users to unlock a character, they need DNA. DNA requirements per character ranges from 5-70. Even though users can purchase card packs, some characters can only be unlocked by purchasing a 'chance' to get a certain amount of said character's DNA. The amount of DNA you get is random. As such, users could spend hundreds of dollars, only to get multiple DNA pieces for different characters they don't want.
• Card packs give you the opportunity to fully unlock a character. However, prices range from $9.99 - $49.99 for one character.
• Enemy levels go up pretty fast. As users progress, the game's difficulty becomes so profound that you're essentially pushed into spending real cash to move forward. Lack of in-game sound effects, makes combat feels non-immersive and unsatisfying. Still plagued with stability bugs, years after its release.

Conclusion

Like many free-to-play titles, it's monetization model leaves much to be desired. Players are able to easily progress through the first few levels. But, as enemies become harder and harder to defeat, users can only progress by spending an abundance of hours grinding for the resources they need or to make a purchase. While users are able to purchase card packs for specific characters, the most rarest and popular characters can only be collected via 'chance' based purchases which is akin to gambling. But, in the same breath if you're a fan of the current iteration on Nickelodeon or a long time fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle franchise, Legends has all the right stuff that you've been waiting for. It's turn based gameplay and RPG elements gives it great replayability. Fans of the series will also love the various iterations of characters that they can collect and free card packs that are given every few hours.