Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of The Shadows Review
    Featured

    VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (Xbox Live Arcade)

    RodrigoBy RodrigoAugust 31, 2013Updated:January 1, 20141 Comment5 Mins Read

    There are few things everyone can agree on. Welsh corgis are cute, black licorice tastes weird (even if you like it), and the Ninja Turtles are awesome. Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo and Raphael have been kicking robot, ninja, mutant and alien butt for the better part of three decades. This, however, puts a lot of pressure on a Ninja Turtles video game. Especially considering that the TMNT franchise has spawned a dozen games, many of which are very highly regarded.

     Does Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows for Xbox Live Arcade stand its ground? Or does it fail to be totally radical?

    TMNTOutOfTheShadows_XBLATeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Out of the Shadows
    Publisher: Activision Publishing
    Licensor: Nickelodeon
    Developer: Red Fly Studio
    Platform: Xbox LIVE® Arcade, PlayStation®Network & Windows-PC
    Players: 1-4 players: Story Mode (1-4 players online, 1-2 players local), Challenge Mode (single
    player), Arcade Mode (1-4 players local)
    ESRB Rating: T for Teen
    Release Date: XBLA & Steam – August 28, 2013; PSN – September 24, 2013

    GAMEPLAY AND CONTROLS: STUFF I LIKED

     

    SUMMARY

    Pros
    Good graphics, good action, good customization.
    Cons

    Complicated story, sometimes difficult to navigate, story starts out complicated.

    Overall Rating: ★★★½☆

    READER RATING!

    [ratings]

    OOTS is very easy to play by simply mashing buttons, something I see as a definite plus. As you advance through the game the potential options available to you increase in complexity, which allows hardcore gamers to customize their experience, while more casual players can continue to mash away. I greatly enjoyed the ability to switch between turtles, even in the middle of a fight. Once you get more comfortable with the game this actually allows you to combo different moves from different turtles together. The character options as you level up are very complex, allowing for deep customization of each character. The characters are extremely mobile, you can roll under doors, climb up fences, slide down banisters, flip over ledges all without losing the game’s momentum.

     GAMEPLAY AND CONTROLS: STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE

     Some of my issues with the game are closely related to the the stuff I liked. For example that mobility is great, but it was very frustrating to clear the enemies in an area and then have no indication of how to move forward; the game never gives you any sort of arrow, map or similar guideline. I spent a good 15 minutes doing backflips in an alley until I realized I was supposed to climb up a bus. Add to that the fact that sometimes your turtle brothers will get in your way and block the exit and you have a recipe for me switching over to netflix instead.

     The character customization is cool, but you have to manage four different characters. I often found myself overwhelmed and couldn’t remember which stats I had bumped on which turtle. This, I’m sure, goes away with time and experience, but as a very casual player I often found myself trying to keep the turtles as similar as possible. Which, I think, is the opposite of what I should have been doing.

     GRAPHICS AND SOUND

     Sound effects and music are great, it’s exactly what you’d hope for in a modern action game. The only sound problem is that sometimes the music’s a little too loud and it’s hard to hear the dialogue. Also sometimes the “banter dialogue” will continue over a cut scene, which leaves us with Leonardo loudly extolling the virtues of leadership while Donatello is desperately trying to tell me which security console I should be interacting with.

    TMNTOutOfTheShadows_Screenshot4

    The look of the game is very cool. It’s a little dark, but you can always see where your turtle is. The animation is fast and well done, and aside from some hand-drawn still cut scenes the game’s look is very tight. It is strange to think that these are supposed to be the same turtles from the current Nickelodeon show. They look a thousand times more realistic. This isn’t really a problem though, since the look of the game world is internally consistent.

     STORY

     The first character you get to play is April O’Neil. Something I was very happy about. Of course that happiness ended as she gets immediately kidnapped by ninjas.

    Then we flash back to earlier and actually start the game. This was somewhat weird for me since I kept forgetting about the flashback, and got confused every time April called in with a tutorialesque tip. On top of that the story itself is somewhat complicated; The Foot is dealing with the Purple Dragons and the Krangs are maybe fighting with both of them? It all gets straightened out later, but it’s difficult to follow at first.

    That said the dialogue of the characters is fantastic, in fact I really want to watch more of the Nickelodeon show if the turtles’ interactions are even half as funny as they are in the game.

    THE VERDICT: IT’S OK.

    All around this is a fun action game, it allows for customization and will appeal to old pros and new kids alike. Aside from a few potentially frustrating map-based snags there is not much wrong with it. The dialogue between the turtles shines (especially if you turn the music down) and really gives you a feel for the character’s personalities.

    I’m giving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows three out of five stars. A fine game and a decent addition to your Ninja Turtles games collection.

    Rating: ★★★☆☆

    April april o'neil donatello game Games krang leonardo Major Spoilers michaelangelo ninja turtle spoilers ninja turtles raphael Review shredder splinter spoilers Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles teenage mutant ninja turtles: out of the shadows tmnt Video Game Video Games
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleGAMING: Magic at PAX Prime
    Next Article MOVIES: Bradley Cooper cast as Rocket Raccoon
    Rodrigo
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Nobody really knows what Rodrigo's deal is. He is a perpetual enigma, an unknown quantity, the X factor. He's the new kid in school, the unlisted number, the person all your friends talk about, but you've never met. How can one person be so mysterious, you ask? THAT IS ALSO TOTALLY A MYSTERY! You can try to keep tabs on him on twitter by following @fearsomecritter, but that probably won't help.

    Related Posts

    One World Under Doom #4 Review

    Read More

    Major Spoilers Podcast #1126: MORE TURTLES!

    Read More

    Geek History Lesson – Will Mission Impossible the Final Reckoning be the Final Installment? with DJ Wooldridge

    Read More

    1 Comment

    1. Alan on September 1, 2013 5:20 pm

      Just finished the campaign. I agree, it is very “ok”. The character customization was a nice addition, though I focused all my points into one turtle (wasn’t going to play anyone other than Ralph anyways).

      The game really shines when you unlock the Arcade Mode. It takes the combat controls and stuffs them into a traditional side scrolling turtle game, nostalgia abounds. I can’t wait to get someone over and try it in multi-player mode.

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    6.0
    May 15, 2025

    One World Under Doom #4 Review

    6.7
    May 13, 2025

    Absolute Green Lantern #2 Review

    8.0
    May 11, 2025

    Storm #8 Review

    6.3
    May 11, 2025

    Retro Review: Daredevil #131 (March 1976)

    6.0
    May 9, 2025

    Blood and Thunder #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Luis Dantas on Storm #8 Review
    • Michael Kenchington on PREVIEW: Giant-Size Wacky Races #1
    • derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: To (Almost) Everything, There Is a Season!
    • wiley on COMICS PORTAL: ‘Mouse Guard’ Is Back!
    • Elfo_oscuro on So You Want To Read Comics: Alternate History Edition
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT