Game Info
GAME NAME: Tembo The Badass Elephant
DEVELOPER(S): Game Freak
PUBLISHER(S): SEGA
PLATFORM(S): PlayStation 4
GENRE(S): Action
RELEASE DATE(S): July 21st, 2015
Platformer style games are generally a hit or miss with most. Game Freak and SEGA have managed to create a “hit” platformer in my books with Tembo The Badass Elephant! At first I was unsure how well an elephant would control in a platforming style game, but I soon realized that it worked way better than I had imagined. It seems like the developer took the best things from Donkey Kong Country and Mega Man, then compiled them all into one game creating this unique title.
Tembo controls amazingly perfect and will have you taking him through the levels collecting peanuts and ridding the world of the Phantom enemies. In each level there are also hostages you can save as you progress through the levels and you carry them to the end while still demolishing buildings, cars or even enemy bases. You can also use your trunk to shoot water out and extinguish flames that block your path, which adds a new element to this style of platformer. Tembo reminds me so much of Donkey Kong Country from collecting the peanuts and shooting yourself from mortar cannons just like the barrels in DKC. The peanuts you collect fill a jar and once you have achieved 300 it will turn into a jar of peanut butter, which each jar of peanut butter represents your lives.
The level designs are very well done and some of the mid-bosses and bosses remind me of Mega Man style fights. After you complete four stages you will then unlock the boss stage where you have a showdown with the defender of that Phantom Base. Obviously, when you defeat that boss you move onto the next set of stages with new obstacles to overcome. The difficulty is right up there with Donkey Kong Country and Mega Man, which isn’t bad for those who have been wanting a challenge lately.
The sound is fantastic especially with the touch of comic style words popping up, for example when you run the words “BADABADABADA” go across the screen as Tembo races through the levels. The music isn’t as memorable as DKC, but it gets the job done with having a military style feel. The visuals are amazing with a cartoon style look and the game was created using the Unity engine. The cutscenes are a winner for me with them being a comic strip style and no voices, but with a few mini animations.
The Recommendation
Tembo The Badass Elephant is possibly one of the better Indie titles I’ve played in a long time. Game Freak and SEGA did a stellar job creating a perfect platformer that was more than just enjoyable. The only complaints I would have is that it could be a bit longer and there should’ve been a two-player co-op feature, but it still is well worth the $14.99 price tag that is so proudly holds. If you love platforming games or want a Donkey Kong Country/Mega Man style game on your PS4, then this is definitely the title for you.
