What happens when you mix the company behind Pokémon and the company behind Sonic The Hedgehog? One badass pachyderm, that's what. GameFreak and Sega collaborate a game together staring Tembo, an elephant that must save shell city from destruction!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZDtDl1Zh1c
The makings of a good game isn't some generic formula devised on a poorly thought out male protagonist bingo, it's innovation. Who doesn't want to be a rampaging elephant hell-bent on justice? While Sega's mascot is Sonic The Hedgehog, the company contains many unique IPs that gamers grew up with including the likes of Space Channel 5, Crazy Taxi and Phantasy Star Online just to name a few. What does seem to catch gamers off guard is GameFreak making something that isn't "Gotta Catch 'em All". In fact, several non Pokémon titles were released. On September 5th 2012, GameFreak release the game HarmoKnight on the Nintendo e-shop in Japan, Europe and North America received the game in March of 2013. The following year, Solitiba was released for the iOS platform.
So, what is Tembo about exactly? According to Sega's blog;
Shell City is plunged into a state of emergency after coming under attack from the devastating forces of PHANTOM, led by a mysterious masked commander. Terrifying war machines emblazoned with skulls tear through the city leaving a trail of destruction in their wake! As the National Army struggles to contain PHANTOM, General Krenman sees the mammoth task at hand and calls upon the only thing that stands between Shell City’s obliteration and its salvation; the peanut chompin’, villain stompin’, PHANTOM romping BADASS Elephantidae…TEMBO THE BADASS ELEPHANT!In a nutshell, you're a peanut chomping pachyderm saving the day from goons known as "PHANTOM". Hope you're a fan of peanuts and puts, the game is full of them by the looks of things and that is not a bad thing. Fans of the game Viewtiful Joe will enjoy this game based on the aesthetics, it has that comic book vibe about it. Yes, this includes the giant words that pop out of thin air. BOOM!
Seven and a half tons of fun, well played, Sega. From beautiful visuals to classic side scrolling beat-em-up action, Tembo The Badass Elephant has the potential to become a cult classic with industry veterans at the helm. Time will tell if this collaboration lives up to the hype. This nutty adventure will come to PS4, Xbox One and Steam as a digital download this Summer. Unfortunately, there was no mention of a Wii U/3DS release which is a bit of a shame considering GameFreak's heavy ties to Nintendo.
In regard to working with GameFreak, this was Sega's response;
We’re delighted to be working with Game Freak to bring this heavyweight adventure to an audience we feel it will have relephants to,” said John Clark, the Senior Vice President of Commercial Publishing for SEGA Europe. “It’s a trunkful of fun and we think gamers are going to love it. Hopefully more than my rubbish elephant puns.Puns. Puns everywhere.
Overall, Tembo The Badass Elephant looks like a fun title worthy of checking out once it releases. Hmm, my birthday is in the Summer, I smell the sweet aroma of peanut shells in my future! Everyone has their bias to the types of games they enjoy. Some love realism, others more toony. For myself, this game is right up my alley. You don't earn the nickname "Pokémon kid" in Jr. High and not be a fan of GameFreak. Hopefully, this collaboration effort eventually does show some love for Nintendo platforms. With 17 stages and a butt stomp attack, Summer 2015 will be the year of the ivory standard, gold is so 2014.
How do you feel about this joint venture of GameFreak & Sega and are you interested in saving Shell City?
