The Pokémon MMO Temtem has launched on Steam and is already exciting players after just a few hours. Although there are still many server issues, the first reviews are largely positive.
This is the MMO in question: Temtem launched yesterday, January 21, in Early Access on Steam. The game is inspired by Pokémon and incorporates many aspects from the gaming classic. However, it also has its own approach: it relies on MMO elements and thus differs significantly from Pokémon. It takes place in an online environment that allows you to engage in trading, battles, and tournaments, as well as a co-op campaign with your friends.
Fans are excited because this MMO approach has been desired by the community for years. The Spanish developer studio Crema is now fulfilling this wish, but battles are fought with Temtems instead of Pokémon.
Bestseller on Steam and hundreds of positive reviews
What do the first reviews say? The game has only been on the market for a few hours, but there are already hundreds of reviews on Steam. At launch, around 20,000 people reportedly had access to Temtem, according to the developers on Twitter.
The reviews are largely positive. As of now (January 22 at 4:30 PM), there are 2171 reviews total, 83% of which are positive. The mood is clearly good, even though some reviewers could only play for a few minutes.
Here, we show you a selection of some Steam reviews:
- Yandro: “What I’ve seen of the game so far is great. Anyone complaining on release day about server issues etc. is quite foolish.”
- Function: “This is how Pokémon should have been.”
- Caosfaction: “Do you want to be a Pokémon Trainer… ehmm TemTem Tamer? It took a long time to find a real competitor for GameFreak’s beloved Pokémon series, but I believe a worthy candidate has finally been found. Temtem is a complex, multiplayer-based, and unique attempt at the good old Pokémon-style formula. It looks beautiful and plays smoothly. Definitely worth a try for anyone who wants to catch them all.”
Even the music in the waiting queue is praised. It’s said to be good and memorable. So there’s even something positive to say about the wait time.
This is particularly praised: Temtem describes itself as “inspired by Pokémon”, but also offers some features that the classic monster-catching series in this form does not have. Steam user “SacrilegeGG” summarizes these points well in an extensive comment. The battle system, while drawing on elements from the Pokémon games, further develops certain points:
“Temtem battles are 2 vs 2, and choosing a team that works well together against the opponent is key. Certain attacks are enhanced or adjusted based on teammates; for example, a fire-type ally can set earth attacks on fire or make water attacks boil. This way, they can massively damage and weaken the opponent.”
Additionally, the multiplayer aspect is Temtem’s biggest argument against Pokémon. The social component is noticeable:
“In Temtem, where playing together is key, it’s much better to duel, chat, and make friendships. One nice feature is having players walk around with a Temtem buddy, so they can show off their favorite Temtem to other players.”
Ultimately, Temtem also has the bonus of long-term entertainment. As an online MMO, it can continually evolve and introduce new content, such as cosmetics or new features. However, Pokémon has also recently announced an expansion pass for Sword & Shield instead of a new generation.
There is a lot of understanding here: The community shows great empathy towards the developers. It is known that an MMO release, especially when handled by such a small studio, is always fraught with problems.
However, when one can play even briefly, the feedback is almost entirely positive. The majority of critiques are actually due to the long waiting times and could soon be forgotten if the servers are adequately prepared for the surge.
What do current numbers say? Temtem is growing and growing. It currently tops the sales charts on Steam, ahead of games like Monster Hunter World or GTA 5.
Today, almost 30,000 players have played Temtem simultaneously at peak times, and currently, the game has about 21,000 users. The hype around the Pokémon MMO is big, and player opinions are positive. It seems that the MMO could develop into a real hit.
What is being criticized? Aside from the server issues, several other things are often mentioned. For most players, these are not enough of a reason to put Temtem aside. However, Pokémon does seem to score better in this regard.
Specifically mentioned is the customization of characters. Many players do not like the style and do not identify with their character. Not only the characters are a problem, but also the appearance of many Temtems. Many players feel that this does not evoke the same feelings as with the Pokémon.
What’s next for Temtem? The development team is hard at work, releasing numerous hotfixes to stabilize the servers and remove bugs from the game. On Twitter, they keep the community updated and receive a lot of support.
Looking at the initial opinions, Temtem and the studio Crema may have a bright future ahead.
To ensure you start perfectly in Temtem, we have collected all Temtems from the first region Deniz here.
Our author Leya has accompanied the release of Temtem and is also excited:
