Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City – A New Ninja Adventure in VR

On May 29, 2025, the gaming world was shaken with excitement: Cortopia Studios announced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City, a VR game set in the beloved TMNT universe. Marking the first-ever virtual reality title for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, this new game is set to launch in 2026 on Meta Quest and Steam VR platforms. Developed by Stockholm-based Cortopia Studios, the game brings Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo into the VR realm, promising fans an unforgettable experience. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Empire City’s gameplay mechanics, story, features, and its potential impact on the VR gaming industry.

The TMNT Journey in Video Games

Since their creation by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in 1984, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have become an iconic part of pop culture. Beginning with comic books, their adventures expanded into animated series, films, and video games, reaching a broad fanbase. TMNT’s video game history boasts a rich legacy dating back to the late 1980s:

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989): An action-platformer for the NES, notorious for its difficulty.
• Turtles in Time (1991): A legendary arcade beat ’em up and one of the franchise’s classics.
• TMNT (2003): A 3D action game based on the 2003 animated series.
• TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan (2016): A third-person action game developed by PlatinumGames.

While the quality and success of these games varied, they solidified TMNT’s presence in the gaming world. Empire City, however, raises the bar as the series’ first VR game. Thanks to its first-person perspective and immersive VR technology, players will feel closer to the turtles’ world than ever before.

Game Overview

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City is a first-person action-adventure VR game developed by Cortopia Studios. While the publisher hasn’t been announced yet, the game is expected to release in 2026 on Meta Quest and Steam VR. Cortopia is known for its previous VR titles like Wands and Down the Rabbit Hole, which raises high expectations for the quality of Empire City.

The game is set in the iconic streets and sewers of New York City. After Shredder’s defeat, the Foot Clan launches a new plan to take over the city. Players can choose from the four turtles to battle this emerging threat. A four-player co-op mode allows friends to team up, bringing the TMNT spirit of camaraderie into virtual reality.

Gameplay Mechanics

Empire City leverages VR technology to its fullest with immersive and interactive gameplay features. Here are some of the standout mechanics:

First-Person Perspective
The game puts players directly in the shell of the turtles, offering a unique perspective compared to the third-person view used in most previous TMNT games. Thanks to VR’s immersive nature, players will feel like true ninjas while slashing enemies with Leonardo’s katana or performing acrobatic moves with Michelangelo’s nunchucks.

Turtle Abilities
Each turtle comes with distinct weapons and skills that offer diverse gameplay styles:

• Leonardo: The leader, excels in strategic combat with his dual katanas.
• Raphael: Hot-headed and effective in close combat using his sais.
• Donatello: The tech genius, fights with a bo staff and gadgets.
• Michelangelo: Fun-loving and agile, known for his swift moves with nunchucks.

These differences allow players to select a turtle that suits their preferred playstyle—whether strategic, aggressive, or agile.

Parkour Mechanics
To capture the spirit of ninjas, Empire City features parkour-based movement. Players can leap across rooftops, swing from poles, and perform acrobatics in the sewers. Cortopia has designed this system specifically for VR, integrating players’ physical motions into the gameplay for a smooth and thrilling traversal experience.

Combat System
Combat is powered by VR-specific motion controls. Players wield the turtles’ weapons with their hands to fight enemies. For example, using Raphael’s sais requires physical arm movements, making the combat more immersive and physically engaging. Enemies include Foot Clan ninjas, robots, and other threats.

Four-Player Co-op Mode
Teamwork is a core TMNT value, and Empire City reflects this with its four-player co-op mode. Players can join forces with friends to complete missions and battle the Foot Clan together. This multiplayer feature enhances replayability and adds a social dimension to the VR experience.

Story and Setting

Empire City unfolds in iconic New York settings. Following Shredder’s defeat, the Foot Clan regroups under a new leader to take over the city. Players must step up as the turtles to protect the city from chaos. The story is enriched with both new characters and familiar faces, though further plot details remain under wraps.

The game’s environments—city streets, rooftops, and underground sewers—are designed with a comic book-inspired visual style that stays true to TMNT roots. The colorful and dynamic world offers ample space for both combat and exploration.

Development and Cortopia Studios

Founded in Stockholm in 2016, Cortopia Studios focuses exclusively on VR games. Known for delivering competitive multiplayer with Wands and narrative adventures with Down the Rabbit Hole, Cortopia is now taking on its most ambitious project yet with Empire City. Development began in early 2024, with close collaboration between the studio and TMNT IP holders to ensure faithfulness to the franchise.

Cortopia’s CEO shared his excitement:
“The turtles were a part of our childhood. Stepping into their world through VR will be a unique experience for fans.”

Lead designer added:
“The game will capture the essence of TMNT—action, humor, and brotherhood—to meet fan expectations.”

Visuals and Art Style

The reveal trailer released on May 29, 2025, showcased the visual direction of Empire City. The game uses cel-shaded, comic-inspired graphics that pay homage to the original TMNT aesthetic. The bold and colorful art style strikes a balance between modern and nostalgic.

The turtles’ signature colors (blue, red, purple, orange) and weapons are prominently featured in their character designs. Environments range from towering skyscrapers to shadowy sewers, all richly detailed. The trailer highlights rooftop chases, combat with Foot Clan ninjas, and dynamic acrobatics, all of which convey the game’s fast-paced, action-heavy tone.

System Requirements

Empire City is built to support various VR systems. The PC VR system requirements are as follows:

Minimum Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD Radeon R9 290
• Storage: 20 GB available space
• VR Support: SteamVR or Meta Quest

Recommended Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD RX Vega 56
• Storage: 20 GB available space
• VR Support: SteamVR or Meta Quest

For Meta Quest users, the game will be compatible with Quest 2 and newer devices, ensuring accessibility to a wide audience.

VR Technology and Gameplay Experience

VR has revolutionized gaming by delivering deeply immersive experiences. In action-adventure games like Empire City, VR enhances player engagement by translating physical movements directly into gameplay. Swinging Leonardo’s katana with your arms feels significantly more impactful than simply pressing a button on a controller.