‘TMNT: Rooftop Run’ Review (iOS)

Manufacturer: Nickleodeon
Specs: Requires iOS 4.3 or later (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad).
RRP: £1.49
Rating: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run is, like Cannibalt, Inspector Gadget, Jetpack Joy and Mini Ninjas before it, yet another endless runner game for iOS. This time allowing players to assume the role of their favourite Turtle, Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo, as they outrun the Kraang’s tractor beam, fighting their way across the rooftops of New York in an attempt to save the city from ultimate destruction, battling enemies with Ninjutsu combat along the way. As enemies are defeated, players earn coins that can be redeemed for the usual power ups, weapons and gear.

Players also need to collect energy orbs to fill the Energy Meter and keep the Kraang away, run out of energy and its game over. However once the Energy Meter is filled, the game enters “Turtle Time” – a fantastic special combat mode where game play is slowed down, and players must tap in rapid succession, a la rhythm gaming, striking multiple enemies simultaneously in a thrilling fight sequence to increase coin collection.

Game features include:

• Battle hoards of enemies from the Foot Clan, Kraang, and Dimension X
• Activate Turtle Time to fight up close in a slow-motion combat sequence
• Outfit the Turtles in exclusive Cyber and Stealth gear
• Upgrade with weapons, gadgets and boosts like the Laserbot and Turtle Saver
• Unlock and play as the Turtles’ formidable canine foe Dogpound
• Earn rewards from the pizza time mini-game
• Epic Boss Battles

Besides the run, players can visit a Turtle Lair to unlock characters, purchase power ups and upgrade their Turtle’s weapons and gear.  New gear influences coin collection rates, energy meter drainage and refills, builds players’ resistance to certain obstacles and enables them to fast-forward to any section of the game already played, gaining additional coins.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run doesn’t offer anything new to the genre, however there’s a lot of fun to be had in the “Turtle Time” mode, enough to make me want to see more of this type of “combat” game rather than more titles like Rooftop Run. But if you like endless runner games you’ll enjoy this iteration of the now very-familiar sub-genre. Plus kids that love the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will lap it up.

Available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run is available on the App Store now for £1.49.