TMNT: Out of the Shadows brings back grittiness and sophisticated fighting

~~voltron80~~ · 03-21-2013, 01:45 PM

http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/21/412...-sophisticated
(note from me there's some new turtles pics within the story turtles they look better but still have that realistic appearance)

By TRACEY LIEN

When Red Fly Studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows releases this summer, players will be able to experience a grittier take on the Turtles and an in-depth fighting system that hasn't been seen in any TMNT game before it, according to lead designer Chris Frechette.

In an interview with Polygon, Frechette demoed a pre-alpha build of Out of the Shadows and walked us through Red Fly's take on the TMNT universe.

"I wanted to make a Turtles game that a 30-year old gamer who grew up watching TMNT would relish and say, 'This is what I remember, this is awesome," Frechette says. "The game is inspired by the Nickelodeon cartoon (which is currently in its first season on television) but it's basically our take on this fiction and this new incarnation of the Turtles: What would it look like in a realistic, more gritty setting?"

Frechette says that when Activision approached the studio to work on the licensed gamed, the team at Red Fly saw an opportunity to make the Turtles game they'd always wanted to play. As avid TMNT fans themselves, they didn't want to carelessly throw together a licensed game: they wanted to create something that did the brand justice.

RED FLY WANTED TO PLAY ON ONE OF THE BIGGEST STRENGTHS OF THE BRAND: THE TURTLES THEMSELVES.

According to Frechette, the studio approached the game with the intention of bringing out the personalities of each turtle through their fighting styles. Rather than have four turtles that look the same, act the same and play the same, Red Fly wanted to play on one of the biggest strengths of the brand: the Turtles themselves.

"They each have different physiques — Donnie's the tallest, Mikey's the smallest, Raph's kind of the brute, Leo's a bit of an all-rounder — and we've gone a step further by bringing their personalities into combat," he says. "For example, Donatello is the slowest of the turtles, but he's got the the most reach, so when he's twirling his staff he can hit multiple enemies. He's great for composed players and his style actually has a bit of a kung fu influence to it."

Every character has a different move set, with each turtle having up to 70 unique attacks. The timing of a attack will also determine how it is executed, and whether a player is attacked from the front or behind will determine how a defensive move is pulled off.

Frechette cites Batman: Arkham Asylum as a source of inspiration. He says the team incorporated some elements of Arkham's battle system of balancing offense with defense and the timing of attacking and counter-attacking. The studio also looked to more traditional fighting games for inspiration, particularly for counter-attacks and special attacks.

"It could have been so easy to give them all the same moves," Frechette says. "But since they don't have your typical classes like a tank or a paladin, they don't necessarily have roles. They're all ninjas. They can all hold their own. It's more about how they hold their own."

Frechette says that by giving each turtle a "unique flavor," when the four characters play together it brings an interesting dynamic to the battles. The game allows for up to four-player co-op, and when there are fewer than four players the AI will take control of the remaining Turtles. In single-player mode, players can swap between Turtles using the D-Pad. Every character can be utilized in the team, and when all the Turtles are working together they can chain combos and finishing moves.

"THEY'RE ALL NINJAS. THEY CAN ALL HOLD THEIR OWN. IT'S MORE ABOUT HOW THEY HOLD THEIR OWN."

"For example, I could launch a guy into the air and now you go after him and slam him down," Frechette says. "So there's push and pull, like I'm giving you an opportunity to do something awesome, and we're working together as a team with a unified goal. It was a lot of fun to plan and design."

Frechette says it's important for all four Turtles to be present in the campaign mode because that's when they're at their best. They fight together, taunt together and perform special team attacks together (at one point, players can connect with Raphael to perform the bowling ball maneuver seen in the original movie). Players won't get the best result if they button mash – there's a sophistication to the fighting system and, once they understand the system, the rest will flow like kung fu.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is a downloadable title coming to Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this summer. The game's official trailer can be viewed above.

Digital Ghost · 03-21-2013, 01:51 PM

I'm beyond excited for this game... nostrils or no nostrils. Just to kick shell with some dromers is gonna' be great.

Shreddhead · 03-21-2013, 02:04 PM

This interview has really bolstered my already high expectations. The different fighting techniques between characters is exactly what i was hoping for. Plus now we find out you can chain attacks with multiple characters and even do specials! Hell, i was excited to see the Tatsu finisher in the trailer, but now we even get the Raph bowling ball attack from the first movie, amazing!
The more i hear about this game, the more it seems to be made by true turtle fans and i cannot wait to get my hands on the finished product

Anyone still think these designs suck? Because I sure dont.

Spoiler:

TMNT is cooler than MOTU · 03-21-2013, 02:13 PM

Bay and Liebesman, take note. THIS is how you bring the Turtles into the real world.

Nameless · 03-21-2013, 03:18 PM

Awesome that looks great. and thank you TMNT is cooler than MOTU for the new Desktop background haha.

ryukenden · 03-21-2013, 05:28 PM

An Arkhamized Ninja Turtles game?! Can't wait! Of course it would take up a full night to download but it will be waiting for me to play the next morning.

Totally agree that each Turtle can hold their own. I just hope there are Predator segments that the Arkham games had. Make full use of what ninja are supposed to be best at, Stealth!

*Redeemer* · 03-21-2013, 05:48 PM

really like the design and the interview gives me high hopes for this game, but hopefully its just not all talk!!!!!

Peanut · 03-22-2013, 01:37 PM

He looks like Jar Jar Binks...

*snake* · 03-22-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut

He looks like Jar Jar Binks...

Oh god.... I agree, this will be terrible!
ALSO: can ya spoiler your pictures tmntiscoolerthenmotu?

Tuxedo Moroboshi · 03-22-2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut

He looks like Jar Jar Binks...

I'm not seeing the similarity, outside of the texture of their skin (and considering Jar Jar Binks' skin seemed kinda reptilian like, anyway, that's kinda something that's hard to avoid with... well, reptiles).

*BabyTurtles* · 03-23-2013, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut

He looks like Jar Jar Binks...

I still don't see it XD Jar Jar has eyeballs coming out of his head XD

**Jester** · 03-23-2013, 12:38 AM

It's totally the mouth....it's like Mikey's screaming Jar-Jar.

*zkarlette* · 03-23-2013, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMNT is cooler than MOTU

Bay and Liebesman, take note. THIS is how you bring the Turtles into the real world.

What are you doing giving them ideas like that? Mike does look like Jar Jar,and overall they all look pretty weird,borderline creepy even.

*TheBlueTurtle1* · 03-23-2013, 07:48 AM

will there be skins? eg nick, classic 80s?

*Refractive Reflections* · 03-23-2013, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

It's totally the mouth....it's like Mikey's screaming Jar-Jar.

I totally agree Jester!

From the top or middle of the nose down to the rest of the face, its almost like a copy and paste job of Jar Jar Binks.

the fixer · 03-23-2013, 09:33 AM

Guys, what have you done?
Uh oh... Here come the Episode I haters...

*Refractive Reflections* · 03-23-2013, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the fixer

Guys, what have you done?
Uh oh... Here come the Episode I haters...

Honestly, I never even watched Star Wars Episode I and seeing that Mikey picture and the trailer made me think of Jar Jar Binks.

...And that's saying a lot...at least in my head. LOL

Shreddhead · 03-23-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLS

Honestly, I never even watched Star Wars Episode I and seeing that Mikey picture and the trailer made me think of Jar Jar Binks.

...And that's saying a lot...at least in my head. LOL

I get reminded of movies I've never seen all the time

*Refractive Reflections* · 03-23-2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shreddhead

I get reminded of movies I've never seen all the time

Well when the television splashes numerous commercials for the movie, and others make a big deal about the movie itself, and the news reports of some critics stating there is racist subtext behind the character... how could one not remember it?

At least from a pop culture standpoint.

Shreddhead · 03-23-2013, 11:43 AM

Ya maaaaaybe I can see a little binks in the mouth area. The teeth may have something to do with it. When I first saw the mike image I thought it looked like he was photo bombing the other turtles. Hopefully he's just making a wacky face here

03-21-2013, 01:45 PM	#1
~~voltron80~~ Banned Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 241	TMNT: Out of the Shadows brings back grittiness and sophisticated fighting http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/21/412...-sophisticated (note from me there's some new turtles pics within the story turtles they look better but still have that realistic appearance) By TRACEY LIEN When Red Fly Studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows releases this summer, players will be able to experience a grittier take on the Turtles and an in-depth fighting system that hasn't been seen in any TMNT game before it, according to lead designer Chris Frechette. In an interview with Polygon, Frechette demoed a pre-alpha build of Out of the Shadows and walked us through Red Fly's take on the TMNT universe. "I wanted to make a Turtles game that a 30-year old gamer who grew up watching TMNT would relish and say, 'This is what I remember, this is awesome," Frechette says. "The game is inspired by the Nickelodeon cartoon (which is currently in its first season on television) but it's basically our take on this fiction and this new incarnation of the Turtles: What would it look like in a realistic, more gritty setting?" Frechette says that when Activision approached the studio to work on the licensed gamed, the team at Red Fly saw an opportunity to make the Turtles game they'd always wanted to play. As avid TMNT fans themselves, they didn't want to carelessly throw together a licensed game: they wanted to create something that did the brand justice. RED FLY WANTED TO PLAY ON ONE OF THE BIGGEST STRENGTHS OF THE BRAND: THE TURTLES THEMSELVES. According to Frechette, the studio approached the game with the intention of bringing out the personalities of each turtle through their fighting styles. Rather than have four turtles that look the same, act the same and play the same, Red Fly wanted to play on one of the biggest strengths of the brand: the Turtles themselves. "They each have different physiques — Donnie's the tallest, Mikey's the smallest, Raph's kind of the brute, Leo's a bit of an all-rounder — and we've gone a step further by bringing their personalities into combat," he says. "For example, Donatello is the slowest of the turtles, but he's got the the most reach, so when he's twirling his staff he can hit multiple enemies. He's great for composed players and his style actually has a bit of a kung fu influence to it." Every character has a different move set, with each turtle having up to 70 unique attacks. The timing of a attack will also determine how it is executed, and whether a player is attacked from the front or behind will determine how a defensive move is pulled off. Frechette cites Batman: Arkham Asylum as a source of inspiration. He says the team incorporated some elements of Arkham's battle system of balancing offense with defense and the timing of attacking and counter-attacking. The studio also looked to more traditional fighting games for inspiration, particularly for counter-attacks and special attacks. "It could have been so easy to give them all the same moves," Frechette says. "But since they don't have your typical classes like a tank or a paladin, they don't necessarily have roles. They're all ninjas. They can all hold their own. It's more about how they hold their own." Frechette says that by giving each turtle a "unique flavor," when the four characters play together it brings an interesting dynamic to the battles. The game allows for up to four-player co-op, and when there are fewer than four players the AI will take control of the remaining Turtles. In single-player mode, players can swap between Turtles using the D-Pad. Every character can be utilized in the team, and when all the Turtles are working together they can chain combos and finishing moves. "THEY'RE ALL NINJAS. THEY CAN ALL HOLD THEIR OWN. IT'S MORE ABOUT HOW THEY HOLD THEIR OWN." "For example, I could launch a guy into the air and now you go after him and slam him down," Frechette says. "So there's push and pull, like I'm giving you an opportunity to do something awesome, and we're working together as a team with a unified goal. It was a lot of fun to plan and design." Frechette says it's important for all four Turtles to be present in the campaign mode because that's when they're at their best. They fight together, taunt together and perform special team attacks together (at one point, players can connect with Raphael to perform the bowling ball maneuver seen in the original movie). Players won't get the best result if they button mash – there's a sophistication to the fighting system and, once they understand the system, the rest will flow like kung fu. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is a downloadable title coming to Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this summer. The game's official trailer can be viewed above. Last edited by voltron80; 03-21-2013 at 01:50 PM.

03-21-2013, 01:51 PM	#2
Digital Ghost Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: The lab Posts: 1,163	I'm beyond excited for this game... nostrils or no nostrils. Just to kick shell with some dromers is gonna' be great. __________________ Instagram

03-21-2013, 02:04 PM	#3
Shreddhead Mad Scientist Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,470	This interview has really bolstered my already high expectations. The different fighting techniques between characters is exactly what i was hoping for. Plus now we find out you can chain attacks with multiple characters and even do specials! Hell, i was excited to see the Tatsu finisher in the trailer, but now we even get the Raph bowling ball attack from the first movie, amazing! The more i hear about this game, the more it seems to be made by true turtle fans and i cannot wait to get my hands on the finished product Anyone still think these designs suck? Because I sure dont. Spoiler: __________________ Last edited by Shreddhead; 03-21-2013 at 02:10 PM.

03-21-2013, 02:13 PM	#4
TMNT is cooler than MOTU Stone Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Southern CA Posts: 858	Bay and Liebesman, take note. THIS is how you bring the Turtles into the real world. __________________ Thank you for getting rid of Hamato Yoshi, Michael Bay and Co.! He was suuuuuper unnecessary.

03-21-2013, 05:48 PM	#7
Redeemer Technodrome Technician Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: third earth Posts: 4,737	really like the design and the interview gives me high hopes for this game, but hopefully its just not all talk!!!!! __________________ GT:Reedeamer *THE TECHNODROME REDESIGN 2015* http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=51594

03-21-2013, 03:18 PM	#5
Nameless Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,042	Awesome that looks great. and thank you TMNT is cooler than MOTU for the new Desktop background haha.

03-21-2013, 05:28 PM	#6
ryukenden Hench Mutant Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 383	An Arkhamized Ninja Turtles game?! Can't wait! Of course it would take up a full night to download but it will be waiting for me to play the next morning. Totally agree that each Turtle can hold their own. I just hope there are Predator segments that the Arkham games had. Make full use of what ninja are supposed to be best at, Stealth!

03-22-2013, 01:37 PM	#8
Peanut Second Gear Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The New World Posts: 15,422	He looks like Jar Jar Binks...

03-23-2013, 12:38 AM	#12
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	It's totally the mouth....it's like Mikey's screaming Jar-Jar. __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

03-23-2013, 07:48 AM	#14
TheBlueTurtle1 Foot Elite Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Posts: 2,892	will there be skins? eg nick, classic 80s? __________________ http://jandmdev.deviantart.com/ (My Brother and I have a dev page, I am J, brother is M)

03-23-2013, 09:33 AM	#16
the fixer Hench Mutant Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: BELGIUM Posts: 395	Guys, what have you done? Uh oh... Here come the Episode I haters...

03-23-2013, 11:43 AM	#20
Shreddhead Mad Scientist Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,470	Ya maaaaaybe I can see a little binks in the mouth area. The teeth may have something to do with it. When I first saw the mike image I thought it looked like he was photo bombing the other turtles. Hopefully he's just making a wacky face here __________________