TEMBO THE BADASS ELEPHANT is a 2D side-scrolling action adventure game developed as an indie title for PC. Players control the titular elephant, a massive seven-and-a-half-ton fighter, as he battles through the invaded city of Shell City against the forces of PHANTOM. The core experience revolves around precise platforming combined with destructive combat moves that allow Tembo to clear paths and eliminate threats while progressing through structured levels.
Gameplay
Tembo moves through side-scrolling stages by jumping across platforms, dashing forward, and using his trunk to smash objects or structures in his path. Additional attacks include powerful punches and butt stomps that crush enemies and vehicles such as tanks. The elephant can also fill his trunk with water to extinguish fires or bypass electrical hazards, adding layers to navigation and puzzle elements scattered throughout the environments. Picolo, his avian companion, assists during gameplay by providing support in key moments.
Levels emphasize momentum and destruction, with interactive objects that break apart under Tembo's assaults. Players collect peanuts scattered across stages, and gathering 300 of them grants an extra life in the form of a peanut butter can. Health restores through special crates placed in the levels. Hostages appear in various spots, and rescuing them all in a stage awards a medal. The comic book style art renders the action with bold lines and vibrant panels that highlight the chaos of combat against PHANTOM war machines.
Game Modes
The game features a single-player campaign structured around 18 levels divided into zones. Each zone contains basic levels followed by an enemy base stage and a boss encounter. Progression requires meeting enemy kill quotas on earlier stages before unlocking subsequent ones. The final zone opens after completing the first three, leading to additional levels and a concluding boss fight. No separate multiplayer or alternative modes exist beyond this linear campaign format focused on reaching the end of each stage while maximizing destruction and rescues.
Visuals and Level Design
Environments draw from a comic book aesthetic with clear, stylized visuals that convey the scale of PHANTOM's invasion. Levels incorporate verticality and destructible elements that encourage repeated attempts to optimize routes and clear objectives. The design balances platforming precision with combat opportunities against a variety of deadly enemies and mechanical threats.
Is It Worth Playing?
Steam user reviews rate the game as Mostly Positive based on hundreds of submissions, with praise centered on tight controls in many cases and satisfying combat feedback. Some players note that the requirement to replay stages for quotas or medals can feel repetitive, and a subset of reviews mention occasional sluggishness in movement. The experience suits those who enjoy classic 2D platformers with an emphasis on physical power and environmental interaction rather than complex narratives or ongoing content updates. Availability remains through standard PC purchase, with no free modes or seasonal additions confirmed since its original release.
