In a video game market often saturated with monster-collecting games, very few have had the chance to stand up to the absolute champion of the monster-collecting genre, Pokemon. And that's because many of these so-called "Pokemon clones" try to mimic every aspect of the beloved franchise without adding unique features. That's why games like World Of Final Fantasy and Yo-kai Watch 3 have gained a strong fanbase despite being classified as Pokemon clones since they have introduced several unique features that make them stand out from Pokemon.
Another Pokemon clone that has recently made it into the big leagues of the video game industry is Temtem. Created by a small team of indie game developers (Crema), Temtem is set to change how fans play monster-collecting games since it offers players a unique gameplay experience that'll make them forget it's a Pokemon clone.
7 More Customization Options
Perhaps one of the most underwhelming elements of the Pokemon franchise is the severe lack of customization. And while players can customize certain aspects of their gameplay, the options are limited and lackluster. Fortunately, Temtem went above and beyond when it comes to customization options since players can customize their character and home.
Players can customize not only their character's appearance (like their hairstyle) but also pick from dozens of different clothing items, from hats to pants. On top of that, players have a house they can decorate with unique furniture which other players can visit. Beating certain Dojos will also unlock more customization options, so players who want to dive into the fashion world of Temtem should beat them all.
6 Monster Battles
Over the years, Pokemon has tried to spice things up by adding new features to battles, from Mega Evolutions to teaming up with another player. Still, some hardcore players feel it doesn't provide enough of a challenge since most battles are fought with a single Pokemon. Temtem takes a different approach to monster battles since players must use two Temtems (some battles may be limited to one).
That means players must form a team that compliments each other. For example, some Electric Type Temtems can stun rival Temtems, so pairing them with a high-damage Temtem is the best option to take full advantage of that debuff. But, of course, some battles may require a more traditional approach to battles like having a tank and DPS.
5 Fully Online
Even though Pokemon has some online gameplay elements, it pales in comparison with what Temtem offers in terms of online playability. And that's because Temtem is an MMORPG, meaning players can see and interact with other players while playing the game. So, players can meet with friends (or make new ones) to show off their characters or fabulous new Luma (shiny) variant acquisitions.
While playing online, players can also battle other Tamers in intense PVP battles. Fans can also participate in special events to earn awesome in-game rewards like unique customization items or even rare Temtems. Unfortunately, while being 100% online offers more gameplay features, it also means players must always have an internet connection.
4 Egg Breeding
Egg breeding has become a staple in the Pokemon franchise since it lets players breed the "perfect" IV Pokemon. But, the egg breeding system in Pokemon games is quite simple, which may be fine for some, but for others, it limits their ability to create the best Pokemon team. In Temtem, the breeding system is far more complex, allowing players to min-max their Temtem team.
For example, players can breed Temtem from the same type (even if they're not the same Temtem), resulting in a more powerful version of the Temtem. Moreover, with the right breeding gear, players can choose which traits the offspring inherits from the parents. Players can also manipulate the gender of the offspring by using special Incubator Tickets.
3 Higher Difficulty Spike
One of the biggest issues with the Pokemon franchise is the lack of difficulty once a player obtains a decent team. And for the most part, players will keep using that team throughout the playthrough without needing to change them. But, in Temtem, players must understand the Temtem type chart and unique battle mechanics since they'll determine if the player wins or loses a battle.
So, new Temtem players will need to get used to losing several times against a Dojo before beating them. On top of that, AI Tamer encounters adapt to a player's level and, in some areas, will be at least five levels higher. Players will not be able to brute force themselves to the top in Temtem, meaning they'll need to carefully think about how to beat a certain Tamer.
2 Balanced Competitive Battles
Most players avoid playing PVP battles in Pokemon because, more often than not, the rival player will have a fully maxed out and perfect IV team. And that's not considering that most hardcore fans will be using the "meta" Pokemon, meaning winning is almost impossible.
The good news is that the game developers of Temtem have designed the PVP aspects in a way that makes it fair and fun. They accomplish this by allowing each player to choose ten Temtem, after which each player will remove six Temtems from their rival's picks (perfect time to remove Toxic type Temtems). The remaining Temtems (four) will be the ones the players can use in the PVP battle.
1 Co-Op Gameplay
Another feature that Temtem does differently than Pokemon is the ability to play coop with a friend throughout the entire playthrough. That means players can start from zero and rise to the top with their friends, giving a greater sense of achievement. During co-op, each player can use one of their Temtems in battle, meaning coordination will be essential for success.
Players can also take advantage of co-op to help friends stuck on a certain Dojo leader or area of the game since the game will adjust the difficulty based on the lower-level player. But, of course, players should be careful not to abuse this mechanic since it can make the playthrough a lot more complicated once the higher-level player leaves.
Temtem is available now for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.