REVIEW
Written byDethyanFrom the archive
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate makes its strongest case through the way its characters and powers change the feel of a run. The Turtles are not just four skins over the same moveset: each has a distinct style of play, and choosing one gives the action its own character before the first power is even selected. That difference matters in a roguelike, where a familiar room can feel fresh when your approach to it changes.
The powers add another layer of choice. Their combinations can turn a run into a build that feels coherent, surprising, and genuinely fun to use. I like that the appeal is not simply collecting stronger abilities; it is finding synergies and seeing how they reshape what a character can do. That variety gives each run room to develop its own identity, and gives the cast more reason to exist as separate choices. The pleasure is in assembling a setup that clicks, then leaning into it as the challenge grows.
Co-op is where Splintered Fate works best. Sharing the run makes the action more lively, and the different character styles and builds give a group more to play off than simply fighting beside one another. That does not mean the solo experience is a fallback. Plenty of roguelikes become much less appealing alone, but this one remains enjoyable solo; co-op elevates it rather than rescuing it. That distinction is important. You can choose the pace and company that suit you without feeling that the game only functions in a group.
The fight against Shredder is a particular highlight: extremely entertaining and properly challenging. It is the kind of encounter that makes the run feel like it has built toward something, demanding attention while still being enjoyable in the moment. I came away liking the challenge, not merely relieved to have it over. For a game built around repeated runs, having a boss fight that lands as both a test and a good time is a substantial strength.
There is a straightforward pleasure to the whole package: pick a Turtle, build around the powers that appear, and see how far that combination can take you. Its strongest qualities reinforce each other. Distinct characters make runs feel different; selectable powers make those differences more flexible; and co-op gives the experimentation extra energy. None of that requires the game to reinvent the roguelike. It needs to make its choices enjoyable, and Splintered Fate does that well.
I recommend Splintered Fate. Its character variety and satisfying power synergies give the runs real appeal, while the excellent co-op makes a strong experience even better. Solo is still fun, and the Shredder fight is a memorable challenge. If you want a roguelike whose best moments come from finding a build that works and sharing the resulting mayhem, this is an easy recommendation.
— Dethyan / Noobsnoplay