Temtem is out! After more than 2.5 years in Early Access on Steam, the Pokémon competitor brings its version 1.0 and is also available on PS5, Xbox Series and the Switch. For MeinMMO author Maik Schneider, Temtem has brought the classic monster hunts to a grand conclusion.
Many of us grew up playing the Pokémon games, and most will probably remember their first starter. For me it was the original versions, so naturally I chose Charmander.
By the end of the lifecycle of the first Pokémon games, I had them all – blue, red, yellow. Oh yeah, and of course the 151 monsters you could collect back then.
What have I fought with Tauros in the Safari zone to round out my collection. How angry was I when Ash easily caught a good 500 of them in the anime.
But after that, the series quickly lost its appeal for me. The successors Gold and Silver actually only brought more monsters, a new map, but few innovations that could keep me going. And that went on for years.
My last classic Pokemon game was Sun Edition, which was a trip to the Alola Islands. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, but the whole thing around it was a real turn off. Pokémon Alien Ultra Beasts? Z move anything? After completing the story, the DS module ended up in the closet.
I was beginning to think that the old, exciting feeling of well-kept monster hunting would be lost forever. But then Temtem came and took me with him.
We include the trailer for the 1.0 release here:
Temtem-1.0 Launch Trailer
Temtem is mature, nostalgic, and has the better combat system
Temtem is very similar to Pokémon in many ways. You start as a freshly minted trainer in a remote village, gradually exploring new areas, all full of new Temtem that you can capture with crazy cards. So far, so well known.
However, it’s the small, subtle differences that make for a refreshing feel in the end. The innovations are mixed with the reflection on the gameplay of the original versions of Pokémon and regular allusions that provide a nostalgia kick.
The fight: When fighting, Temtem relies on teams of 2 and less randomness. This creates more dynamics between the monsters and creates better conditions for competitive experiences.
The multiplayer: It’s a little cumbersome, but possible. If you want, you can also experience the complete story, the whole game, in co-op. My Game Boy link cable would have glowed if it had been possible sooner.
The Story: The story of Temtem is much more mature. In Pokémon, too, it gets dark in places. But Temtem deals with the themes of war, betrayal and human error. The characters rarely seem as if they were created perfectly for their role. Everything is much more human and can be better understood and experienced.
The nostalgia: Temtem constantly plays with its connection to Pokémon. For example, there is a truck hidden on a bank that you can interact with. It’s just a few lines and a saying at the end. But the scene produced a huge grin because it’s a clear nod to the truck millions of fans used to believe was Mew’s lair, the mysterious 151st Pokémon.
The Endgame: Unlike Pokémon, Temtem relies on live service. The game is always evolving, bringing Seasons with new content, and has large post-story areas designed to keep players entertained beyond PvP battles and the breeder grind. You can also find both in Temtem.
If you want to see more about the Temtem endgame, check out the appropriate trailer:
Temtem challenges Pokémon, reveals its endgame in new trailer – “This is how Pokémon games should have always been”
Conclusion: The culmination of classic monster hunting
Pokémon has taken an important step with Legends: Arceus. Away from the static fights in the tall grass to a character that just throws balls around. An important evolution.
Because with the old system, Pokémon could hardly have been more surprising. What’s more, over the years of revamping, changing, and experimenting with monster mechanics, it’s only a shadow of its former self.
A successful shadow, yes. But Temtem showed how classic monster hunting should really work – with co-op, good stories, a great endgame, housing and live service. All without the certainty that a new “Ultra” version of my monster game will be released soon anyway.
Temtem is not perfect, the grind for money can be annoying, as can misfortune when breeding. But if you’ve always been a fan of the monster games, then take a look at the title.
A really good execution of the ideas behind Pokémon without the years of pressure to make something so “new” and “exciting” that it feels alien to the game.
However, Pokémon jumps on the co-op train and also tries multiplayer with the new versions Crimson and Crimson: New Pokémon Crimson and Crimson shows co-op mode – Reminiscent of Monster Hunter World.
I think we’ll talk again once the new Pokemon games are out. Until then, you can find me on the Temtem breeder routes.
Let me know what you think of Temtem, too, and let me know in the comments about nostalgia and why things weren’t better before.