Dumping more money into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time in the arcades gave players another chance to take down Shredder. Dumping more money into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder\u2019s Revenge gives players a new expansion called Dimension Shellshock<\/strong>. It\u2019s a dramatically more appealing deal, and while it\u2019s an excellent reminder of Shredder\u2019s Revenge\u2019s stunning art and soundtrack, it\u2019s also a little shallow.<\/p>\n
Dimension Shellshock is underwhelming because it\u2019s not that deep of a roguelite. Being dropped into a bunch of combat challenges isn\u2019t much different from the combat-heavy campaign, but the bigger issue is that it lacks the hooks that a decent roguelite needs.\u00a0<\/p>\nBebop, Rocksteady, and Shredder are strong power-ups that can make some waves a breeze.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Characters can be leveled up for better stats and each has a few palette swaps that unlock after certain conditions are met. Higher stats make the runs progressively easier, but the tame skins aren\u2019t that great of an incentive, especially because most can take multiple hours to unlock for each character. And since the skins are underwhelming, the loop mostly becomes about playing more to get better at playing more. There aren\u2019t even achievements or trophies to chase.<\/p>\n
Even though this mode points out its control-related inconsistencies \u2014 it still needs an aerial evade and recovery move, as well as a dodge that shifts players vertically \u2014 there is an intrinsic reward to playing Shredder\u2019s Revenge and hacking away at the Foot Clan\u2019s finest. But the stunted nature of its underwhelming extrinsic rewards is what makes it lose value as a roguelite and wave-based survival mode. Levels cycle in in different orders and the annoyingly vague perks change from wave to wave, but the runs themselves don\u2019t evolve much. Brawlers are prone to feeling repetitive and better roguelite mechanics would keep that repetition from sinking in.\u00a0<\/p>\nThe comic stages are the most visually striking.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
It\u2019s ironic that it doesn\u2019t dangle better carrots in front of players since the rabbit samurai Miyamoto Usagi is one of the new playable characters alongside the Foot Clan\u2019s own ninja Karai. Karai is quick with her elementally charged attacks and plays mostly like the other characters, albeit with wildly different effects that give her her own identity. Usagi, on the other hand, is much more unique. His ability to double jump and continue his combos in the air gives him more utility and demonstrates that everyone in the cast should have had their own one-of-a-kind traits. Both can also be played in the main campaign, which is a fitting bonus.<\/p>\n
The levels in Dimension Shellshock aren\u2019t pulled from the campaign at all, but have the same stellar art design that made the base experience such a visual treat. The apocalyptic, Japan-centric, and futuristic stages are brimming with color and detail and have their own brand-new enemies, yet are outclassed by the 8-bit and comic stages. These inventive worlds stick out from the others and efficiently use their simple color palettes to create backgrounds with more striking contrasts. Shredder\u2019s Revenge leverages its history well and doesn\u2019t use nostalgia as a crutch, and these backgrounds are a fitting distillation of that since they are inspired by the past, but glorious in their own right.<\/p>\n
TMNT: Shredder\u2019s Revenge: Dimension Shellshock DLC Review: The final verdict<\/h2>\n
Dimension Shellshock has most of the same strengths as the base game, but a few more shortcomings, as well. The new mode\u2019s roguelite elements lack variety, and its loops aren\u2019t deep or rewarding enough to warrant multiple runs. The gorgeous pixel art and expressive animation don\u2019t get old, but its survival mode is almost as two-dimensional as its sprites.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tInventive new backgrounds with beautiful art and obscure references.\t\t\t<\/li>\n
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\t\t\t\tThe details of each perk aren’t explained well until after they’re picked\t\t\t<\/li>\n
Disclaimer: This TMNT: Shredder\u2019s Revenge: Dimension Shellshock DLC review is based on a PS5 copy provided by the publisher. Played on version 1.008.000.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n
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