Tembo's long term weaknesses only really become apparent when you hit one of the gateways between the different areas. For every moment of enjoyable platform game design - and there are many - there are plenty that are also fairly rote, made interesting more by the game's aesthetic than its mechanics. On top of the echoes of Sonic, there are sections that feel like Rayman, courtesy of that jump-and-glide mechanic, and cannons and swings seemingly imported direct from Donkey Kong Country. It's not that it's wrong to dust off such trusty old platform gaming concepts, but that Tembo's unique elephant qualities are only occasionally used to make them seem fresh. You can probably already guess what sort of challenges these features create, and that's ultimately what starts to pull Tembo down from his initial high. Again, these will revert back to their original state after a few seconds. Water can also be used to turn seeds into useful platforms and turn cranks and wheels to raise doors. You can squirt water from your trunk to put out fires, though anything that burns blue will reignite after a short while. Other abilities are available to you, and lend a more puzzle-based tone to the game as it progresses. Derivative as it may be, it's still a fantastically appealing look and the inclusion of energetic on-screen sound effects makes it feel even more alive. Indeed, the visual style is so similar to Disney's cult animated show Gravity Falls that I had to check it wasn't the same artist. This is a game that looks like it could have stomped off the drawing board at a kids TV network. Navigating and demolishing your way through the first world is a tactile pleasure thanks to the game's cartoon physics, which are supported by the distinctive visual style. It's these aspects which dominate the game's early stages, and they make for a compelling introduction. Game Freak may be best known for Pokemon, but its 2005 GameBoy title Drill Dozer featured similar smash and bash gameplay to Tembo. This makes him paddle furiously in mid-air, offering just enough extra distance to reach more distant platforms or clear larger hazards. He has a generous jump, which can be extended for a short period by keeping the button held down. Our elephantine hero proves remarkably agile, in fact. They also share a tumbling spin attack, which allows Tembo to smash down through weaker floor areas and even bounce, which is quite a feat when you weight several tons. This is enough to demolish scenery items and send enemy soldiers flying, and while it's not as fast as Sonic's dash, it's certainly more fun to plough through buildings, pillars, cars and trees. Tembo is pretty speedy for an elephant, with his main mode of both locomotion and attack being a thundering charge. Reviewed on PS4, and also available for Xbox One and PC.He's a chunky grey military hero (who just happens to have a trunk and large ears) rather than a sneaker-melting speedy rebel, but in gameplay there are notable similarities. In terms of physicality, Tembo couldn't be more different to his bright blue predecessor. In fact, it's got so bad that they're openly auditioning for replacements, with developer Game Freak stepping forward with the Sega published Tembo the Badass Elephant. After a string of flops and failed reboots, Sega's iconic mascot is looking more like a has-been than a go-getter. If I were Sonic the Hedgehog, I'd be pretty worried right now. Game Freak's delirious pachyderm platformer has tons of character, but can't quite sustain its early momentum.
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