Andre Calvert’s Most Disappointing Games of 2016

Facebooktwitterredditpinteresttumblrmail
Andre Calvert's Most Disappointing Game of 2016

Disappointing Games of 2016

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan (PC)
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Activision

How can someone possibly be ‘disappointed’ in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game these days, given the low expectations due to previous recent failed attempts at making a good TMNT game since Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time? That is a fair question and assumption for someone to have, but my disappointment is largely due to the developer, Platinum Games. When the unexpected trailer first came out I was rightfully hesitant (Our Trailer Impressions), but given the history of Platinum Games, particularly with the recent success of Bayonetta 2, I was excited at the possibility of a good TMNT game. I decided to give Platinum Games the benefit of the doubt and purchased it day one because I liked what I was seeing in the trailer.

This game is a disappointment because the level designs are clearly unfinished and rushed, the questing system is poorly implemented, the online multiplayer is almost non-existent, and the biggest crime of all, the blatant lie that the game was going to be in 60 FPS when it was locked at 30 FPS. The beginning levels in the game aren’t that badly designed, but a few levels in it is quite apparent that the game was rushed with due to the repeated use of structures, terrain, etc… It was as if the beginning of levels were created alright, but then the developers decided to copy/paste the rest of the level with repeated structures/terrain with not much effort. The questing system has quests randomly popping up out of nowhere with enemies scattered all over the place, contributing to the laziness that is the level design. The lack of a sustainable online multiplayer community is partially due to the game receiving poor reviews, but the release price was also relatively high scaring away potential buyers from taking the chance on a franchise that has not had much success lately. I can’t blame them.

Last but not least, the cherry on top, Platinum Games lied that the game had 60 FPS when it was locked at 30 FPS. They had claimed the game had to lose local co-op in order to make the game 60 FPS. So not only does the game not have local co-op, which is bad enough for a TMNT game, but no 60 FPS! In this current gaming generation, especially for PC players, 60 FPS is a pretty big deal, and lying to PC players that your game is 60 FPS when it is locked at 30 FPS is simply unforgivable. I believe the likely scenario of why this game was such a flop was because it was rushed due to the close release of the unwanted Michael Bay TMNT movie sequel. I know this is an extremely negative outlook of the game, and the game does actually get a lot right, but unfortunately the negatives are too big to ignore. For Platinum Games this is extremely disappointing because they have squandered a lot of the goodwill they acquired from Bayonetta 2. No longer will they be given the benefit of the doubt in the future.

 

Sorry I have no more entries for disappointing games of 2016, as I have managed to avoid being disappointed this year. Phew!

GameReviewPad © 2018
Privacy Policy