It is common knowledge that Pokemon is one of the sagas that dominates the video game market. However, its exclusivity only allows Nintendo users to access it. This is how various companies seek to make similar products for PC/consoles. This time we are going to analyze Temtem, from Crema.
temtem It is available for PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox X|S.
This story sounds familiar to me…
Do you remember how Pokemon starts? Well, that’s the same way it goes temtem.
We wake up in our bed on that BIG day –yes, that day where we leave the nest to become tamers– and head to the laboratory of Professor Oak –well, not Oak–, who is going to give us a choice between three different initial creatures ( the most difficult decision of any infant). From there begins our adventure of wanting to be the best, better than anyone else.
In the middle of our mission to become the best tamer of all time, we will run into the Belsoto Clan – the Spanish version of Team Rocket –, an evil organization that we must defeat at different points in the game.
The reality is that, as I mentioned previously, temtem shares the same foundation as Pokemon. In this aspect, its developers did not decide to risk in the least, something that, unfortunately, is often repeated in titles “inspired” by the Japanese saga. There is no innovation; the structure and development are a shameless “copy & paste”.
A little twist
The foundations of temtem in terms of their gameplay they are quite similar to those of Pokemon. That is to say: defeat and catch temtens, go through the various islands (in this case six), defeat the Belsoto Clan and defeat the leaders of the different dojos in order to become the best tamer of all. We have the classic tall grass that is full of temtems, tamers that challenge us to a battle as soon as they see us. Also with the typical centers to heal our wounded temtems. Each of the items seen in Pokemon is replicated, with other names and colors, here.
But, not everything is so equal. It should be noted that the developers were encouraged to give their product a twist. For example, most of the battles we face will be double. That is, two of our bugs against two of our enemy’s. This is because in temtem the synergy of the characters is important: there are powers that are enhanced depending on the partner you have.
In temtem stamina (the energy of our little monsters for their attack) is also present. Each hit you make will remove a certain amount of stamina from your temtem. If you have little and decide to attack anyway, you will automatically hurt yourself, in addition to having to rest yes or yes in the next turn.
Another instance where they decided to go outside of the Pokemon norm is in evolution. It is not at a fixed level, but occurs after a certain number of levels after capturing the temtem.
More importance to PvP
Another point where Temtem seeks to differentiate itself from Pokemon is in PvP, giving more importance to battles against other people. Once the main story is over, the title of Cream invites us to get to work putting together a perfect team. For this we have hatcheries, where we must work hard to create the supreme temtem.
Continuing with the PvP line, temtem It also has a system similar to that of guilds (in the best MMO style). These teams can compete against each other in special events that take place week after week. The grand prize? Conquer a special dojo.
Cooperative mode: the great attraction
There is something that the Pokemon saga owes its followers for several years: a cooperative mode (it is estimated that we will have this added in Scarlet and Purple). temtem He came precisely to fill that hole, that empty space. The addition of a cooperative mode is not a minor detail at all. In fact, I dare to say that it is the great attraction of the title.
While there are marked differences between Pokemon and temtem, I think the main one lies precisely in the possibility of playing it together with friends. A new world that Nintendo, until now, never gave us.
The only negative aspect that I found with this game mode is that at times it does not accompany the characters well: the lack of a split screen is felt. If you are in a house (along with the other player) and the other person decides to leave, it automatically takes you out of that area as well.
They can never be as beautiful as… CHIKORITA
As a person who grew up with Pokemon – and who at 4 years old thought she was going to become a trainer – I view similar products with a bit of suspicion. In most cases, the design of the “monsters” is usually: “Friend, did you do your homework? Pass it to me, I swear I’ll change a few words.” And that promised change ultimately never happens.
However, I must say that temtem I was pleasantly surprised at this point. The reality is that these creatures do look original, fresh. I did not feel at any time that I was seeing imitations of Pokemon. In fact –and at the risk of being cancelled–, the designs even seemed prettier to me than what the great Japanese company did some years ago.
The visual aspect is also completely friendly. Ideal to play in the company of the smallest member of the family. Although no Pokémon, or any other creature, will ever be able to live up to *stand up* Chikorita, I must confess that I spent more times exclaiming: “awww”, than I am willing to confess.
Music for my ears
There is one point on which review after review I tend to agree: the (non) use of the soundtrack. In most cases I complain about its misuse or how unnoticed it usually goes.
Luckily for my hates, temtem decided to go another way. The soundtrack used is friendly: it automatically invites us to feel part of this world. The background songs accompany and are correct for what the game is. They do not feel repetitive, they do not end up becoming in the long run with the passing of the minutes; no negative point in this regard.
In this economy?
There is a minor issue that we cannot ignore: the price. The first time Temtem was published on Steam, back in January 2020, the game cost only 700 Argentine pesos (not including taxes). As new content was added during its time in Early Access, the title did not stop increasing its value over and over again.
In December 2020 it went to 1,300. A year later, in December 2021, it went to 2,230. Now, with its official launch, they decided that the value would become 3,149 pesos. Many times companies decide to give the price of their products the odd touch-up, but what happened with temtem It’s shameful: they quadrupled the value without any nerve.
It should be remembered – and highlighted – that the title is not even an AAA. However, it costs almost twice as much as the new Saints Row, an already established saga. Of course one can choose not to buy it and that’s it, but it is still striking as they were constantly retouching the price of the title without any hesitation. I don’t want to police the value that each game should have, but it is somewhat absurd that they share a price with the big titles on the market.
The issue of the price of video games goes a long way –I think it would directly deserve a separate note–, but I didn’t want to let this fact go. I don’t think it’s an isolated thing, and that’s where, as consumers, we need to start worrying.
System Requirements
MINIMUM: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system – OS: Windows 10 64bits – Processor: Celeron G530 2.4Ghz or similar – Memory: 4 GB RAM – Graphics: Nvidia GT 650M or similar – Network: Broadband connection to Internet – Storage: 5 GB of available space – Additional notes: Minimum requirements for playing at 720p@30fps
RECOMMENDED: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system – OS: Windows 10 64bits – Processor: Intel i3-6100T 3.2Ghz or similar – Memory: 8 GB RAM – Graphics: Nvidia GTX 970 or similar
Network: Broadband Internet connection – Storage: 5 GB available space – Additional Notes: Recommended requirements for playing at 1080p@60fps