One Temtem Item Throws Shade at Pokémon’s Most Controversial Feature

Temtem takes plenty of inspiration from older Pokémon games, and one of its item pretty blatantly mocks one of the series’ most controversial changes.

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Category : Pokemon

The indie game Temtem came out at the perfect point to fill a gap in the monster catching genre. Filling both the MMO and PC niches that Pokémon has long ignored, Temtem’s launch coincided with the release the incredibly divisive Pokémon Sword and Shield. Developer Crema was able to provide a sassy and colorful substitute for those who love the core gameplay loop of Pokémon but found themselves disappointed by the general direction of Game Freak’s series.

Of course, the developers are aware of the constant comparisons between Temtem and Pokémon — after all, Pokémon has so dominated the monster-capture genre that pretty much game in the genre gets called a Pokémon clone. However, while it has clearly learned a lot from the giants that came before it, Temtem also doesn’t hesitate to throw shade at the genre’s flagship franchise. One clear example comes in the form of Temtem’s version of the EXP Share: the Coward’s Cloak.

Pokémon has received plenty of criticism in recent years from fans disappointed by the overall quality of the newer games. Between excluding certain Pokémon, reusing animations and gameplay that feels simpler and more hand-holdy than ever, many fans feel that the series is not living up to the high standards set by the older games.

One issue fans point out is the evolution of the EXP Share. While its original iteration functioned much like it did in later games, sharing experience across the entire party, the best-known version used in Generations II to IV was a held item that took half of the earned experience and gave it to the Pokémon holding it. In Generation V, this experience distribution was adjusted based on levels, so weaker Pokémon got more experience. In Generations VI and VII, the EXP Share was a key item that could be turned on and off.

However, starting with Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee, the EXP Share was permanently turned on. This was great for those who wanted to level their Pokémon quickly, but it can also result in creating an overpowered team very quickly. Levels are easier to gain than ever, but the games are not more difficult to counter this, and there’s no way for those who want a more challenging experience to opt out.

In contrast, Temtem’s Coward’s Cloak is found after defeating the first dojo and obtaining the surfboard, which enables the activation of a quest on the Sillaro River. Upon clearing the northern stretch of river of the villainous Team Belsoto, the item can be found on the ground. It functions much like Generation V’s EXP Share, being an item that a single Temtem can hold. After winning a battle, the holder is counted in the EXP distribution, with experience distributed based on level.

In addition to harkening back to an older iteration of a classic Pokémon item — one that’s been a point on controversy in recent years — the Coward’s Cloak’s very name insinuated that not participating in a battle to earn experience is a cowardly act. Temtem can be a challenging game (particularly for those used to modern Pokémon titles) and it seems to revel in that fact. Just like the EXP Share, the Coward’s Cloak is presented to the player to help with leveling, but it does it in a way that puts the most agency in the hands of the player.

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