Temtem Swarm review: a clever and unexpected spin-off
, by Enzo
Temtem: Swarm, the Spanish studio Crema takes everyone by surprise. Rather than sticking to the creature-capturing and-raising formula popularized by the first Temtem, the developers have opted for an arcade-style spin-off, clearly inspired by the wave of survival-like games. It’s a surprising direction—almost disorienting on paper—but one that results in a game that’s more cohesive than you might expect. Without reinventing the genre, Temtem: Swarm manages to offer an interesting experience that’s distinctive enough to justify the existence of this spin-off. It remains to be seen whether this fusion of the colorful Temtem universe and the addictive structure of this type of game will hold up over time.
A radical shift, but not an absurd one
Temtem Swarm presents itself as a brand-new experience set in Crema’s universe of virtual creatures, still available in co-op mode. Following the very solid Temtem—which has stood the test of time thanks to its exemplary post-launch support, content, and the extraordinary loyalty of its community—the series is now venturing into an entirely new genre: the survival-like or bullet hell genre.
From the very first minutes, the game makes its intentions clear. No long cutscenes, no exploration of any kind, and no adventure to speak of. Short rounds in which you must survive waves of increasingly numerous creatures and gradually build a setup capable of withstanding the escalating difficulty. Beyond the concept, it also stands out for its dynamism and colorful visuals, which contrast sharply with the usual aesthetic of games in this genre.
This spin-off actually works better than expected, because it’s based on a simple idea: the Temtem universe is flexible enough to accommodate a more arcade-style format without completely losing its personality. While the result certainly doesn’t have the systemic depth of the main game, it never feels like a cynical or slapdash product.
Colorful and clear art direction
Visually, the game plays on familiar ground: that of lighthearted, very colorful fantasy that’s immediately appealing. The character models, effects, and environments remain as simple as in the main game. As for the soundtrack, it’s decent without being particularly memorable. While the music complements the action well, the sound effects are adequate without standing out: it’s more about effectiveness than exceptionality.
Overall, Temtem Swarm largely avoids the total visual chaos that sometimes plagues productions of this genre, where special effects saturate the screen. Even in the most action-packed moments, the action remains mostly clear; it’s easy to identify who is using a particular ability or projectile, even in co-op mode. It’s easy to maintain that sense of control, which is essential for fully understanding what’s happening around us.
Temtem’s identity is somewhat underutilized
Where Temtem Swarm leaves a slightly more mixed impression is in how it leverages its own franchise. Yes, there are creatures from the original universe, and the whole thing is charming. However, we would have appreciated more Temtem-specific elements incorporated more effectively into the gameplay: creature synergies, team dynamics…
As it stands, there’s nothing deal-breaking—the game works very well overall. It doesn’t transcend the formula, and it perhaps lacks that standout idea that would make it stand out from the crowd for reasons other than its license. Compared to other titles in the same genre, there’s still a slight lack of depth, which could be perceived as a lack of ambition if you’re not familiar with the studio Crema. The studio operates with a high degree of transparency and doesn’t overreach beyond its stated goals. If these elements are missing from the game, it’s likely because they haven’t found a sufficiently compelling way to incorporate them.
Easy to pick up, engaging content, and a solid game loop
One of the main strengths of Temtem Swarm is its accessibility: you can get the hang of it in just a few minutes. The game quickly lays out its rules, rewards players early on, and creates a sense of almost constant progression. It’s an excellent introduction to the genre for those put off by games that are too complex or overwhelming.
Another major strength is that it understands what makes it addictive. Much like Pokémon, you start the game modestly, with a starter that’s still vulnerable. The first few minutes are relatively calm, and battles are easy to manage. Every level-up makes a noticeable difference, and every item you collect is important and carefully chosen. Then, everything picks up speed: enemies, attack patterns, and projectiles clutter the screen, and the tension gradually builds.
Once the game is over, the player is often well rewarded. You’ve likely unlocked achievements that grant currency, which can then be used to unlock new nodes in each Temtem’s unique skill trees. Now, our little starter has a few permanent passives, improved damage on several of its skills, and we’ve even discovered new synergies with items. A quick look at our next challenges, and we’re off to start another run!
A spin-off fesigned for compulsion, not adventure
We also need to judge Temtem: Swarm for what it really is, not for what its name might lead us to expect. Fans hoping for a direct successor to the first Temtem—one that’s more narrative-driven, more structured, and closer to classic monster-collecting—may be left wanting. This spin-off has neither that ambition nor that purpose. On the contrary, players who enjoy short sessions, light but steady progression, and looped runs will find it much more to their liking. The game is designed for a different kind of play experience, one that’s closer to a modern arcade game than an RPG.
Unless you’ve completely fallen in love with the experience and want to play a hundred hours to complete it 100%, this is a title that lends itself perfectly to a more sporadic playstyle. Its formula, accessibility, and easy-to-track progression make it perfectly suited for casual players who only want to enjoy it from time to time, during co-op nights with friends.
An official release packed with new content
Packed with content and highly polished throughout its early access period, players didn’t have to wait for the game’s official release to enjoy new content and a great gaming experience. With version 1.0, Temtem Swarm has introduced a whole host of new features. An unconventional map that’s even more challenging than previous ones, playable Temtems, abilities, and a prestige system introducing a long-awaited feature: Lumas and Umbras, similar to Shiny Pokémon.
This system also offers numerous additional permanent passives, which can be acquired through extensive grinding, providing new goals for dedicated players and adding a new layer of replayability—albeit a bit excessive. Additionally, the game now features the Tempedia, an in-game encyclopedia. It contains a wealth of useful information for progression, exhaustive explanations, and even strategic recommendations on various aspects of the game.
Tested on PC. See our rating policy here.
8/10
Once again, Crema Studio proves that it lives up to its ambitions and delivers on its promises. It’s a clever, modest, and effective spin-off, though it makes only tentative use of the franchise’s unique features and shows its limitations in terms of depth. Since its early access release, the game has been closely monitored and adapted based on community feedback, which bodes well for the future. Temtem Swarm is another highly successful project for the studio. While not an absolute must-have, it’s a highly recommended title for fans of the genre and a worthwhile experience for Temtem fans eager to discover their favorite franchise in a much more fast-paced setting.
- + Very true to the Temtem universe
- + Easy to pick up and play
- + Difficulty that can be adjusted to your liking
- + Clear and engaging progression
- + Very reasonable price
- - Unique identity that’s somewhat underutilized
- - Excessive endgame farming