TemTem, The Game That Needs To Be Bigger Than it Is

Hysheem Durham
4 min readApr 30, 2023

What’s TemTem?

TemTem is a massively multiplayer online game developed by Spanish game studio Crema Games. The game, which was released in January 2020, has quickly become popular among gamers looking for an immersive gaming experience. TemTem is a game that pays homage to the iconic Pokemon series, while at the same time introducing new gameplay mechanics that make it a distinct experience.

One of the most notable things about TemTem is its world-building. The game is set in the archipelago of the Airborne Archipelago, a collection of floating islands that players can explore. The environment in TemTem is a vibrant and colorful one, with impressive 3D graphics that make the world come to life. The creatures, known as TemTems, are varied in design and have unique attributes that make them stand out.

The gameplay of TemTem is similar to that of Pokemon, where players catch and train TemTems to battle against other players or the computer. However, where TemTem differs is in its emphasis on strategy. It’s not simply enough to have the most powerful creatures; players need to have a strong knowledge of the different TemTems’ strengths and weaknesses to succeed. This added layer of strategy makes the game more engaging and keeps players coming back for more.

Another impressive feature of TemTem is its social component. As a multiplayer game, players can interact with each other in various ways, from trading TemTems to battling each other. The game’s chat feature allows players to communicate with each other, fostering a sense of community within the game. The social aspect of TemTem is important, as it makes the game feel less solitary and more communal.

TemTem has received critical acclaim for its impressive world-building, engaging gameplay mechanics, and social aspects. The game’s popularity is a testament to its success in capturing the spirit of the Pokemon games while still introducing new ideas to the genre. The developers behind TemTem have continued to update and improve the game, ensuring that players will continue to have new experiences within the game.

TemTem, compared to Pokemon, involves a more deep and complex level of strategy in battles. While the core concept is similar—you catch creatures and train them to battle against opponents—TemTem introduces new gameplay mechanics and features that make the battles more engaging and challenging.

One of the most significant differences in TemTem is its stamina system. In Pokemon, each creature has a set number of hit points (HP), and when these points are depleted, the creature faints. In TemTem, creatures have both Health and Stamina points. The Health points act like the HP in Pokemon, while the Stamina points are drained and restored as a TemTem performs attacks and abilities.

This new system makes battles in TemTem much more challenging, as players need to balance the stamina of their TemTems with their Health points. Players need to know when to attack and when to focus on restoring stamina, making battles feel like intense strategic encounters. Moreover, certain types of TemTems are more stamina-based, while others are more health-oriented, adding another layer of strategy and depth. This is on top of things like physical and special attack archetypes. Pretty much Pokemon, but more.

Another significant difference between TemTem and Pokemon is the importance of Types. In Pokemon, players need to know the strengths and weaknesses of each creature’s type to succeed in battles effectively. TemTem, however, takes this further by introducing double types and shared types among creatures in a new light. Pokemon also has double types, but they’re more for the purpose of gaining immunities, weaknesses, and offensive options. The same could be said for TemTem, but typings in TemTem also determine how certain moves work and the effects they gain as bonuses. If you use a water move while an ally Tem is wind based, your water technique will gain a slowing freeze effect. Knowing which combination of types is most potent against specific opponents can give players a unique advantage in battles. And because TemTem is purely 2v2, you will never have moments where you aren’t considering your monster’s typings.

In TemTem, players also need to take into account the Techniques(moves) of their creatures. Each TemTem has a unique set of techniques that they can use in battle. The techniques not only have different effects, but they also cost different amounts of stamina. Players need to select their techniques carefully to ensure that they don’t run out of stamina too quickly, leaving their creatures vulnerable.

Finally, in TemTem, there are no critical hits or random bonuses, making battles more fair than in Pokemon. Players need to rely on their knowledge of their creatures and their opponents to win the battles, rather than luck or chance.

In summary, while Pokemon has its own strategy systems, TemTem introduces new mechanics in battles, resulting in a more complex and nuanced experience. With the introduction of stamina, synergized typings, and the importance of techniques, battles in TemTem become an intense and strategic experience that requires careful planning and decision-making.

In conclusion, TemTem is a game that celebrates the Pokemon series while also introducing new gameplay mechanics and ideas that set it apart. Its impressive world-building, engaging gameplay, and social components have all contributed to its success among gamers. As a player, it’s clear that the developers behind TemTem have put in a great deal of thought and care into making the game a satisfying experience. Overall, TemTem is a game worth celebrating and analyzing for its ability to both respect and innovate within the Pokemon genre.

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Hysheem Durham

I’m an unorthodox story writer, visual artist, and I make videos for youtube!