Temtem
Best Early Access Games of 2021
For a series as popular as Pokemon, it’s strange to think that so few developers have really tried to emulate its creature-collecting gameplay loop with their own spin on things.
But with Temtem, developer CremaGames has done exactly that, iterating on Pokemon’s beloved design to produce a highly entertaining MMO set within a compelling open-world.
On the surface, Temtem is similar to Pokemon to the point of parody, but the complexity of the gameplay experience really sets it apart. Most battles are a 2v2 affair, with each pairing of your creatures resulting in different synergies that have unique effects in combat.
The design really encourages experimentation, and because there are so many different combinations, the battle system doesn’t ever feel monotonous in the way Pokemon games often do.
Creature designs are perhaps not quite as inspiring as Nintendo’s popular franchise, though, and the overall polish isn’t on the same level, but I expect Temtem to continue improving throughout 2021 as it nears a full launch.
