Let’s get the apparent out of the best way first — Temtem is blatantly impressed by Pokémon. In reality, the sport does not even attempt to fake to be something however a redressed Pokémon sport. Most of the core mechanics current in Temtem are similar to those who kind the premise in over twenty years’ value of mainline Pokémon video games; the world is stuffed with mysterious creatures possessing unimaginable talents; the folks of this world seize and tame these creatures to enhance life and society; Temtem Tamers love to check their expertise towards different Tamers in intense Temtem battles.
For those who consider that enjoying a Pokémon sport with out the Pokémon themselves — which elicit visceral, overwhelming emotions of nostalgia and mawkish attachment in thousands and thousands of individuals — sounds dreadfully droll, you would be simply understood. Nonetheless, Temtem is not only a Pokémon clone — it is a cross-platform, massively multiplayer on-line (MMO), modernized reimagining of that legendary franchise. As of Sept. 6, 2022, it is formally out there as a full-fledged online game on Xbox Sequence X|S, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Swap. I spent a while with Temtem on Xbox to resolve whether or not it is value enjoying, particularly for Pokémon followers, and I firmly consider it’s.
Doomed to be in comparison with a beloved franchise
Temtem wears its inspirations on its sleeve, and boldly makes an attempt to perform what many have didn’t do previously — break into the distinctive monster-catching RPG style that Pokémon has dominated since its creation over twenty years in the past. Due to this, the sport is predictably doomed to be continually in comparison with the behemoth with which it is competing, however that does not imply success is unattainable for Temtem.
Temtem is ready in a world populated by a various ecosystem of Temtems, highly effective creatures that possess unbelievable talents. These Temtems are an integral a part of society, dwelling alongside people. Temtem Tamers, those that seize wild Temtems and help with researching these still-mysterious creatures, usually get pleasure from participating in pleasant battles with different Tamers. These battles pit Temtem towards Temtem, with a large arsenal of Skills, Methods, Varieties, and Statuses affecting the end result of each encounter. Sound acquainted to date?
In some ways, Temtem feels similar to core Pokémon video games.
You play as an bold Temtem Tamer simply beginning out in a small, little-known village. You occur to know a pleasant, educated Temtem professor that items you your first starter Temtem, and you’ve got an aggressive rival that refuses to allow you to pull forward. You will discover the world of Temtem, often called the Airborne Archipelago, to find and seize new Temtems, strengthen and enhance your squad of lovable critters, and deal with difficult Dojos to show your expertise and data. I do know what you are pondering, and also you’re proper — aside from tweaked phrases and completely different names, this sounds similar to virtually each flagship Pokémon sport for the reason that starting of the sequence.
That being mentioned, it isn’t honest to fully write off Temtem solely due to these similarities. Temtem retains numerous what does not have to be up to date within the style, however tweaks numerous different facets of the expertise to make Temtem extra interesting to those that grew up with Pokémon and could also be desirous about a sport that grows up with them. Shortly after Temtem entered early entry, our personal Rebecca Spear wrote that “Temtem comes nearer to the actual world than Pokémon ever has.”
The world of Temtem feels extra mature, and is not afraid to introduce extra “grownup” topics akin to references to medication and alcohol, gentle swearing, LGBTQIA+ identities, and mundane conflicts and frustrations; the connection between folks and Temtems is not all the time good and flawless as is recommended in Pokémon. Temtem additionally encourages gamers to be whomever they need, with loads of customization choices to personalize your character (together with having the ability to select your most well-liked pronouns). Pokémon makes some extent of avoiding or dragging its ft on improved inclusivity, and stays to this present day decidedly “child-like” regardless of its hardcore endgame loop.
Temtem additional separates itself from fixed comparisons to Pokémon by delivering a contemporary and thrilling expertise that feels thorough and cleverly designed. Pokémon’s core methods, particularly battling, hardly really feel “contemporary” after years with little greater than throwaway “gimmicks” that solely final for a technology as updates, however Temtem makes its best competitor really feel much more outdated as compared.
A contemporary expertise and an developed battle system
I used to be genuinely caught off guard by the depth of battling in Temtem, which does not copy instantly from Pokémon and makes a number of seemingly minor updates that lead to large adjustments to the expertise. Sure, your Temtems nonetheless possess Varieties, that are kind of efficient towards different Varieties. Sure, your Temtems are characterised by Skills and stats that notate their effectiveness in battle. Sure, your Temtems can study as much as 4 Methods, with every Approach divided by Kind, energy, harm kind, and extra. Sure, battles are turn-based, counting on velocity stats and Approach precedence to resolve which Temtems transfer first. All of that is true, however Temtem makes two colossal adjustments that pressure gamers to method these battles otherwise.
For one, double battles are the default in Temtem. This implies you will all the time ship out your first two Temtem as a substitute of only one, and you may usually be up towards two Temtem directly. This forces you to consider carefully about how your Temtems pair with one another. Temtems have Synergy, which might relate to having two Temtems of comparable Kind on the sector for elevated harm, particular Methods gaining energy and even further results relying in your Temtem’s associate, and sure Skills solely working or having a larger impact when paired with a Temtem of a sure Kind. Contemplating how efficient every Temtem in your squad is when paired with one other Temtem could make the distinction between a powerful victory and a crippling loss.
Battling in Temtem feels extra strategic and difficult than in Pokémon.
Secondly, Temtem dramatically alters the move of battle with the introduction of Stamina and tiered strikes. The previous replaces the “PP” of strikes in Pokémon, with every Temtem having a certain quantity of Stamina that slowly replenishes over time. Each Approach requires Stamina to drag off, with extra highly effective strikes sometimes requiring extra. In case your Temtem exhausts its Stamina, it’s going to turn out to be broken from overexertion and will likely be unable to maneuver for a flip whereas it recovers. Gamers have to observe the Stamina of their Temtem rigorously, and should even resolve to have their Temtems relaxation for a flip to get well as a substitute of risking harm from overexertion.
On high of this, some Methods have to be “charged up” and cannot be used instantly in a battle. Methods can take anyplace from one to 4 turns to be prepared to make use of, with essentially the most highly effective Methods usually requiring gamers to attend. With this mechanic and Stamina, gamers are unable to spam essentially the most highly effective Methods in battle continually, and should as a substitute strategize when and the right way to use their Temtems to the best impact.
There are many different tweaks as effectively, akin to extra nuanced and predictable Standing results, diminished reliance on luck-based “RNG,” and alterations to Temtem’s model of IVs and EVs from Pokémon (referred to as SVs and TVs). It is the 2 adjustments above, nonetheless, that make battling in Temtem extra strategic and difficult than Pokémon, and lead to a virtually limitless variety of prospects for combos and techniques past merely establishing essentially the most highly effective creatures and strikes you’ll be able to.
It is easy to give attention to the core gameplay mechanic of Temtem — the extreme double battles — however Temtem does a lot else to attract gamers in and maintain them hooked. For one, that is an MMO. That signifies that, when you’re exploring the Airborne Archipelago, you are doing so alongside a whole bunch of different gamers in real-time. You may see their favourite Temtems, work together with them via Emotes and extra, and talk via a number of textual content chat channels which are all the time out there. Temtem is always-online and might even be performed fully with pals in co-op.
You discover Temtem alongside a whole bunch of different gamers in real-time.
Cross-platform, cross-progression multiplayer is significant in Temtem — make the most of the sturdy buying and selling system and a fluctuating in-game economic system; construct friendships and search assist from different gamers, and even invite gamers to their very own custom-made homes (and go to different gamers’ homes in flip); staff up with fellow gamers in social Golf equipment and have interaction in intense Dojo Wars for unique rewards. Temtem can also be a “Sport-as-a-Service,” with three-month Seasons that present distinctive in-game rewards, weekly challenges, and extra to enchantment to long-term gamers.
Temtem boasts a full-length marketing campaign that may be performed solo or in on-line co-op, in addition to a bustling endgame loop that caters to hardcore and aggressive gamers with a plethora of sport modes and replayable content material. Every thing that appeals to essentially the most invested Pokémon gamers — akin to a well-rounded breeding system to create the proper Temtem and the attract of uncommon, alternatively-colored Luma Temtems — is all right here, however with an improved battling system that depends extra on meticulous technique than luck and brute pressure.
A worthwhile addition to a near-monopolized style
There may be a lot to debate in Temtem, and all of it culminates in a monster-collection RPG journey that feels extra fashionable and mature than the franchise from which it attracts inspiration. I used to be actually excited to take a look at Temtem when it lastly exited early entry and arrived on extra platforms, however I wasn’t ready to be so fully sucked into every part it gives. Temtem is decidedly addictive, and I hope it continues to evolve and develop over time because it turns into out there to all-new swimming pools of potential gamers.
I’ve but to complete Temtem (and it’ll, sadly, have to attend till I’ve extra free time), however I am already bought on what it delivers and the methods wherein it units itself aside from Pokémon. I want we might see Temtems exist on the earth much like newer Pokémon video games moderately than merely your major Temtem companion loyally following you round, and I want battles felt extra like a dynamic a part of the in-game world much like Legends: Arceus, however these are minor complaints after I lastly have a correct, full, and considerate “not-a-Pokémon” sport on Xbox.
The Temtems I’ve encountered are effectively designed and memorable, the sport seems to be wonderful, and the animations are stunning and accompanied by full-sounding audio. Not being restricted to a single platform feels wonderful, and it is nice to see what number of gamers fill the world round me whereas I play. I am even having fun with Temtem sufficient that I have not discovered myself lacking the a whole bunch of traditional Pokémon which are immediately recognizable by thousands and thousands internationally — if that does not promote you on Temtem, I am unsure what is going to. It’s going to be attention-grabbing to see how Temtem compares to the Swap-exclusive Pokémon Scarlet and Violet releasing later this 12 months, however gamers on different platforms are left with out that choice.
Temtem was formally launched on Sept. 6, 2022, for Xbox Sequence X|S, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Swap. For these wanting a extra mature, difficult, and fashionable cross-platform addition to the style traditionally dominated by Pokémon, Temtem is completely one of many greatest video games on Xbox.
