Temtem

 Switch
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Oct 11, 2022
    80
    Temtem proves that there is still room for competition in the monster catching and battling space. There’s also proof here that games like Digimon or Pokemon, while doing a lot well, leave a lot of things on the table and that’s where Temtem shines. It’s easy to write it off as a copy-pasted clone, but the additional features of co-op battles, deep synergy combat mechanics, and rich endgame content culminate in a real diamond in the rough for those finding the competitors lacking. The main story content can be rote but for those hardcore fans wanting something deeper, Temtem may be what you’re looking for. Temtem is both better and worse than the opposition, and I think that’s okay.
  2. GameSkinny
    Sep 30, 2022
    80
    Temtem may look like Pokemon on the surface, but a deep battle system and engaging PvP elements make up for the similarities.
  3. TouchArcade
    Sep 29, 2022
    80
    In its current state, Temtem is moving in the right direction and is absolutely worth your time on Switch as long as you’re ok with the online-only aspect of it. I still have issues with the lack of any sort of offline support for a portable system like Nintendo Switch, but the core gameplay loop and amount of content available with the 1.0 launch is well worth the asking price. The Switch port is also very good considering the hardware and how it runs on other platforms as well.
  5. App Trigger
    Sep 19, 2022
    60
    Bugs, lackluster graphics and questionable design choices prevent Temtem from becoming the Pokemon alternative many had hoped it would be.
  6. Hobby Consolas
    Sep 18, 2022
    82
    If Pokémon it's youir thing, Temtem carries the formula a little bit further, with new elements in combat, MP or a higher level of challenge. It doesn't have the refinement level of Pokémon in certain areas, and it's "always online" component, makes impossible to play it on portable on Switch if the place doesn't have Wi-Fi.
  7. Checkpoint Gaming
    Sep 18, 2022
    70
    Temtem isn’t just a copycat Pokémon. Incorporating MMO elements and engaging characters into fan-favourite gameplay is an overwhelming success, with an abundance of addicting endgame content. Unfortunately, Temtem suffers from optimisation issues and needs to present its most captivating features at the forefront rather than behind the MMO grind and a slow main story. I can’t deny how much fun it is to play Temtem, it just needs more time and polish to be the best there ever was.
  8. GRYOnline.pl
    Sep 15, 2022
    60
    Temtem is enjoyable, pretty, and has cool combat, but it’s hardly amazing. It’s not unique, nor is it a real MMO.
  9. IGN France
    Sep 14, 2022
    70
    Heavily inspired by its model, Temtem poses as a solid alternative to Pokémon, but without the same aura.
  10. Nintendo Life
    Sep 14, 2022
    80
    Even without the endgame content, Temtem is worth a look for anyone who has enjoyed a Pokémon game in the last two-and-a-half decades, especially those who have wanted a steeper challenge to go along with their critter collecting. It’s a familiar, imitative experience in so many ways, yet we came away satisfied with just about every tweak made to the well-established formula. Sure, the main quest becomes a bit of a slog, and yes, the Nintendo Switch does struggle to keep up at times. Despite these qualms, Temtem's engaging battles enshrine it as one of the most innovative additions to the genre in recent memory.
  11. Pocket Tactics
    Sep 7, 2022
    80
    Temtem offers a monster-taming title that has enough to tear us away from the king of the genre, with an attention to detail across all elements from monster design to competitive online battles. With a little more charm, and a few quality-of-life improvements to the solo experience and the MMO aspect, this could be the closest the Pokémon series has ever come to a real challenge to its monster-taming monopoly.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 28
  3. Negative: 8 out of 28
  1. Marorr
    Sep 7, 2022
    10
    It’s impossible to review this game without mentioning pokemon. However in my opinion this game beats pokemon in most ways. The battlesystemIt’s impossible to review this game without mentioning pokemon. However in my opinion this game beats pokemon in most ways. The battlesystem is more focused on strategy, and there is zero RNG involved in batteling, this is essential for a game that wants to be competitive. Temtem has a unique and pleasing design, and most of the creatures look awesome. A small handful of creatures look a little too i spired from pokemon though, but I’d say over 90% of them are totally unique in design. The story is very interesting, and the endgame is huge! There’s also alot of humor and charm in this game.

    I hope this game sells well, so that the team can get the funds to keep developing their ideas! The only thing I wish to see in future games or updates is better battleanimations, they use very similar animations as pokemon. However this is to be expected with a indie budget.    … Full Review »
  2. Foxylary
    Jan 9, 2023
    5
    Temtem is a mmo "gotcha monsters" rpg with good ideas, and makes real strategic differences with it's core rival. Creatures have good designTemtem is a mmo "gotcha monsters" rpg with good ideas, and makes real strategic differences with it's core rival. Creatures have good design and the lore (history, geography, cultures, politic, economy...) is impressive and makes the universe pretty credible in some way.

    But the game (in french) is also a big gender theory propaganda. In the first minute of the game, you meat your rival, an agender person that everyone will design with the pronoun "they" (iel in french) and for that, it's already a red card for me. Plus, the economic model is just to greedy. The game is totaly unplayable offline (here is the second red card for me) and you have to pay the game + monthly online subscription. And the only way to """unlock""" some cool visual stuffs is to buy a season pass + microtransaction for daily and weekly overpriced others visual stuffs (ex : ~10€ for an avatar animation).

    More specificaly about the Switch version, the game is totaly broken. I play the game in cooperation and we experience a crash every 30 min plus there is a lot of framerate drop. Also, maybe it's the Switch screen fault, but colors turn in an ugly yellowish ton.

    The game is cross save, so you can continue your progression on all the platform you want if you buy it on the platform you want to play (no cross buy). But you have to choose what platform will be the "main platform" and what will be the "secondary platform". So your progression will be attached at the first platform. I choose the Switch for the "main platform" and I regret it, but no change is possible now.

    In conclusion, there was so much potential, but dev's have to keep their ideological convictions at home and get out their hands of my wallet. I can't advice to buy the game for kids.    … Full Review »
  3. Kaona
    Sep 11, 2022
    7
    While I like the game overall, I feel hard pressed to take away a few points for mostly three specific reasons.

    1. Balance is sub par,    While I like the game overall, I feel hard pressed to take away a few points for mostly three specific reasons.

    1. Balance is sub par, overall there are around 30 Temtem that are strong while the rest are either bad in all situations or useful only in specific situations/encounters. I expect that since the full release is here, the dev team may work on balancing what is mostly specific Temtem that may need some help with their kit synergizing with available skills.

    2. Right now the game is a bit of a buggy mess on the switch. It will crash on average once an hour and I will get one out of a variety of bugs around every half hour. None of this is all that gamebreaking as I have still been able to play, it just gets annoying.

    3. The story is overly obsessed with pronouns and falls completely flat in just about every way. This would have made me reduce my review even more but they included a skip button so I can just ignore all of it and enjoy the rest of the game. It still does make it for a tedious grind however where story level after a point in the game ends up completely out of sync in terms of level where some "trainers" are 20 levels over the content in the regions while others are two levels under it.

    Overall, if you are looking for a pokemon alternative, this game is fine. On the other hand if you are on the fence on spending for this game or saving for the next pokemon game, I would suggest you save your money until a lot of the bugs and a bit of the balance get patched out.    … Full Review »
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