TEMBO THE BADASS ELEPHANT Reviews
It's fun to furiously trumpet and get to smashin' stuff as Tembo for a while, but before too long you're reduced to hoping he makes his way over to a better sequel – or possibly the Virtua Fighter roster.
Despite some of its more questionable gameplay choices, however, excellent presentation combined with tight controls make Tembo a terrific start for what hopefully ends up being a new franchise. If you're itching for some classic 2D platforming in the vein of the old Sonic games and yearn for a new "badass" character, Tembo hits all the right spots.
Despite some annoying gameplay elements, Tembo the Badass Elephant is a wonderful mash-up of some of the best 2D action-adventure platformers ever released.
Tembo's style, pace and emphasis on mass destruction sets it apart from other 2D platformers, and it's almost an elephantine four tonnes of fun. While the need to replay levels to harvest points can transform it into a grind, this badass pachyderm's infectious energy gives him irresistible force.
Tembo The Badass Elephant is a high quality, gorgeous, fun, and challenging 2D platformer that I'm happy to recommend.
Infused with excellent level design blended with all the good ideas from the 16bit greats of Donkey Kong Country, Yoshi's Island and Sonic the Hedgehog, Tembo the Badass Elephant is spoilt by the bizarre decision to force collectable progression in a game that feels based on travelling fast and hard, along with its reliance on one-stick-commands-all control scheme. Even so, anyone looking to spend an entertaining afternoon with a good platform game should dig their tusks into a jar of Tembo the Badass Elephant.
Tembo the Badass Elephant is a platformer that only comes once in a while, making it an experience that no gamer can afford to miss. Game Freak takes a break from their Pokemon duties to show everyone that they're no one trick pony and that Pulseman was no accident.
A nice concept let down by predictable design
A strange hybrid of Donkey Kong and Sonic the Hedgehog, Game Freak once again proves that they can do so much more than Pocket Monsters.
Solid gameplay and a charming art style make Tembo a good platformer, but poor replay value.
A good idea, nice art style and mix of ideas, absolutely terrible gameplay.
Tembo the Elephant starts strong. It seems peppy and fun, with a protagonist you can't help liking. Then, it shifts gears. That change in tactics takes something that stands out and feels unique and makes it feel more like others in its ilk. It's the last thing it needed, since so many of Tembo's moves are shared with other heroes. It's entertaining enough, but doesn't quite define itself as one of the greats.
I did like the game, and were it longer, I would have no trouble rating it higher. The short experience is the one thing that I feel holds the game back, but the overall experience is certainly worthy of a play through. I find it easy to recommend this title.
2D side-scrollers certainly aren't at the top of everyone's favourite genre. But a fun, new approach, a fantastic concept and beautiful design might well see Tembo become a mascot for the future.
The cell-shaded graphics are beautiful, and the soundtrack and sound effects are notably pleasing to the ears
Tembo the Badass Elephant's ride may be a very short one, but it is undeniably a high quality romp. The game has very high highs with very few low points and not a single bit of filler or wasted moments. Tembo can almost be too lean by being so utterly focused in upping the challenge, though. The design and aesthetics are 100% on the mark and it is curious that Game Freak doesn't do more original titles like this as often, since it is clearly very good at it. Game Freak is so much more than just Pokémon and Tembo the Badass Elephant proves it.
If you're interested in enlisting with a pachyderm that throws himself around like an acrobatic anvil, arm your trunk and charge full speed ahead – Tembo the Badass Elephant has brought the ruckus to Xbox One.
Tembo the Badass Elephant has a set of interesting ideas and manages to create a cool contrast between the protagonist and the feats that he manages to accomplish, but the full potential of the title is never realized by the team at Game Freak.
Overall not quite a ton of fun but still bananas. Just don't tell Donkey Kong.
Tembo the Badass Elephant is a goodhearted, challenging platformer where speed and rhythm sit at the forefront of the gameplay experience. It's really about getting into that great groove, where enemies are going "poof" every second and Tembo is in absolutely no danger 'cuz you've got him down cold. There are a few shortcomings but none of them should keep the intrigued from giving Tembo a go.