I was always the Donatello of our group. Whenever I played Ninja Turtles as a child, I’d immediately dismantle a broom, wielding the handle as my signature bo staff to transform into the intellectual, purple-clad hero. My friends and I would embark on elaborate missions to infiltrate Shredder’s lair and rescue April—who was often played by a friend who begrudgingly accepted the role despite secretly wanting to be a Turtle herself. We would inevitably save the day and toast our victory with imaginary pizza. It was pure magic.
<p>Even as an adult, my fascination with the franchise hasn’t waned; I’ve continued to collect figures, devour the comics, and dive into every new video game. However, that profound sense of <em>becoming</em> a Turtle—the total suspension of disbelief found in childhood play—felt like a relic of the past. That was until I played <em>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City</em>. For the first time in decades, that long-lost immersion returned.</p>
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<p>Crafted by Cortopia Studios, <em>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City</em> stands as the premier VR experience for the series, and it delivers a genuinely unique adventure. The narrative centers on a splintering Foot Clan following the Shredder’s defeat, with two factions—one led by the enigmatic <a href="https://turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/Mashima" target="_blank">Mashima</a> in New York and the other by the iconic Karai—vying for supremacy. Karai serves as a tenuous ally, and her true motives remain deliciously ambiguous: is she seeking peace, or merely manipulating you to seize the throne?</p>
<p>Supporting four-player co-op, the game casts you and your squad as the Turtles, tasked with disrupting Foot operations across Chinatown and the Lower East Side. You’ll dismantle their technology, uncover clandestine plots in urban warehouses, and face off against heavy-hitters like Bebop and Rocksteady.</p>
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<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Cortopia Studios/Beyond Frames Entertainment</small>
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<p>The stealth mechanics were a revelation—an element I hadn’t realized was missing from classic titles. While the nostalgic side-scrollers focused primarily on visceral combat, <em>Empire City</em> encourages genuine ninja maneuvering, having you skulk through alleyways and traverse rooftops to gain the upper hand. It is a vital layer to the experience that bolsters the feeling of being a true martial artist.</p>
<p>Of course, the pinnacle of the experience is inhabiting the turtles themselves. Looking down at your own bulky, green hands is surreal, and mastering the distinct handling of each brother's weaponry is immensely satisfying. Despite my allegiance to Donatello, I gravitated toward Michelangelo; his nunchucks proved more forgiving for my amateurish VR combat skills, allowing for a fluid, fast-paced fighting style.</p>
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<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Cortopia Studios/Beyond Frames Entertainment</small>
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<p>Any minor frustrations I encountered were merely personal hurdles with VR navigation—specifically, staying aware of enemies flanking me in the heat of battle. However, the game largely permits you to explore at your own leisure. Beyond the mission objectives, you are free to climb fire escapes and overlook the city, though the real highlight is the sewer lair.</p>
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<p>The lair serves as your hub, where you can toggle between characters, consult Splinter, and receive guidance from April, who functions essentially like Oracle in the <em>Batman: Arkham</em> series. The attention to detail here is breathtaking; each bedroom is a masterclass in characterization, contrasting Donatello’s cluttered workshop with Leonardo’s serene, minimalist meditation space. Creative director Ace St. Germain’s deep appreciation for the source material shines through every corner of this environment.</p>
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<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Cortopia Studios/Beyond Frames Entertainment</small>
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<p>For a lifelong fan, the narrative nods are incredibly rewarding. The story expertly weaves threads from the seminal 1992 “City at War” arc and the modern IDW comic series. The visual presentation mirrors the IDW aesthetic, influenced by legendary artists like Mateus Santolouco and Sophie Campbell, with hand-drawn flourishes that breathe life into the urban setting.</p>
<p><em>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City</em> is a love letter to the franchise. It understands precisely what fans crave: the iconic weapons, the sleek ninja action, the gritty New York backdrop, and the beloved characters. It nails the fundamentals, and when you're finished fighting the good fight, you can simply hang out in the sewers and enjoy a digital slice of pizza. It may not satisfy actual hunger, but for those of us who grew up wielding broom handles in our living rooms, it satisfies something far more enduring.</p>
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<p><em>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City is available now on Meta Quest, Steam VR, and Pico. This review was conducted on Meta Quest using a pre-release code provided by Cortopia Studios.</em></p>Source: Polygon
