The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are currently enjoying a video game renaissance. Over the past year, the heroes in a half-shell have had old adventures brought back throughThe Cowabunga Collection, released a new beat ‘em up calledShredder’s Revenge, and made various cameos likeShredder’s release as a playable character inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This week Paramount revealed a video game adaptation of theTMNT: The Last Ronincomic book series, one of the darkest and most mature takes on theNinja Turtlesfranchise. Given the comic’s unique story,The Last Roninalready has one big advantage over pastTMNTgames.
TMNT: The Last Roninfollows Michelangelo, the lone survivor of an extermination plot by the Foot Clan, in one dark possible future. Now a master of his craft and those of his fallen brothers Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello, Michelangelo seeks to avenge their deaths, along with those of Master Splinter and Casey Jones. He decides to attack the Foot Compound head-on and defeat its current leader, Oroku Hiroto, with the story spanning five comic issues and a follow-up series in 2023,The Last Ronin: The Lost Years. Compared to otherTurtlesadaptations,The Last Roninpromises to give its singular protagonist more depth and gameplay options.
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The Last Ronin’s Protagonist Should Have Much Deeper Gameplay
The Last Ronincomic series killed off three of the four Ninja Turtlesprior to the main story, and it’s likely the video game adaptation will also take place 16 years after - once Michelangelo has completed his transformation into the titular Last Ronin. In doing so, this video game title offers a unique gameplay opportunity. Players will control a single Ninja Turtle who wields the full TMNT arsenal, rather than splitting their time between four distinct characters.
TMNT: The Last Roninis said to be taking major inspiration from modernGod of Wartitles, leading many to believe it will feature a similarly complex combat system. LikeGod of War,The Last Ronincan offer the opportunity to build skills in all combat types, with options on where to invest in upgrades for a preferred play style across different weapons. The ability to switch between tools and chain certain skills could allowThe Last Roninto excel in areas where otherTMNTgames have fallen short or grown stale, with gameplay that matches the title’s more mature tone.
The Last Ronin Game May Still Feature Other Playable Characters
Paramount’s Senior Vice President for Games and Emerging Media Doug Rosen told Polygon thatThe Last Roningame adaptation will be anambitious, AAA title. He also hinted that other characters could be playable in flashback sequences, while still adhering to the title’s single-player focus. These scenes would likely take place during the Foot Clan’s extermination attempt, possibly depicting the deaths of Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello alongside their mentor and closest friends on-screen.
TMNT: The Last Roninhas yet to be given a release window, with Rosen suggesting it may be a few years away. Regardless, fans have long been interested in a more mature gaming take on the Turtles via sources likeRocksteady Studios’ long-rumoredTMNTtitle- thoughThe Last Roninis currently in development by an unnamed studio. Those interested inTMNT’s most mature and complex comic story yet likely have some time to wait before they hear more, butThe Last Ronin’s AAA ambitions andGod of Warinfluences provide hope that when it does arrive, it will give this unique adaptation the respect it rightfully deserves.
TMNT: The Last Roninis currently in development.
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