Tempopo

Last updated
Tempopo
Tempopo Cover.jpg
Developer(s) Witch Beam
Publisher(s) The Cult Games
Platform(s) Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch
Release
  • WW: 17 April 2025
[1]
Genre(s) Puzzle
Mode(s) Single-player

Tempopo is a 2025 video game developed by Australian independent developer Witch Beam and published by The Cult Games. It is a puzzle video game in which players must guide creatures named Tempopo to collect all flowers across a series of levels. The developers stated that the design of the game, inspired by earlier puzzle titles including Lemmings , was intended to be relaxed and deconstruct the difficulty barriers intrinsic to puzzle titles. Upon release, Tempopo received generally positive reviews.

Contents

Gameplay

Screenshot of gameplay in Tempopo. Tempopo Gameplay.jpg
Screenshot of gameplay in Tempopo.

Playing as Hana, a young girl who acts as a conductor, players must command a group of blobs named Tempopo across 60 levels to navigate and solve block-based puzzles to collect flowers in each level. [2] Tempopo move forward in sync with the beat of the game's music, and prior to starting each level, players must place tiles that guide the Tempopo by changing their direction, crossing a gap, or allowing them to jump, to collect all the flowers and complete the course. [3]

Development

Tempopo was developed by Witch Beam, an Australian studio based in Brisbane who previously had created the puzzle title Unpacking . [4] [5] Director Sanatana Mishra stated that the game started as a collaboration with Journey animator Seiji Tanaka, who were inspired by the design of "evolutionary dead ends" of older puzzle titles such as Lemmings , ChuChu Rocket! and The Incredible Machine and making a "relaxing" and "accessible" version for a modern audience. [6] Composer Jeff van Dyck created the soundtrack for the game, [5] with its emphasis on music integrated closely with the gameplay to assist the player to "think in sync with the beat" when completing puzzles. [7] [6] Mishra stated that the theme of "harmony" was an "underlying element" of the game, with the design and sound of the game intended for players to "feel a sense of calm" and deconstruct the difficulty barriers traditionally associated with puzzle games. [6] [8]

The game was announced on 10 June 2024 at the PC Gamer PC Gaming Show 2024, with the release of a trailer. [9] The game was released for Xbox consoles, the Nintendo Switch, and Steam on 17 April 2025. [1]

Reception

Tempopo received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. [10] [11] [12]

References

  1. 1 2 Romano, Sal (24 February 2025). "Tempopo launches April 17: Contemplative puzzle game dated". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 Taylor, Mollie (18 April 2025). "Tempopo review: Tempopo is great, but could use something a little more". PC Gamer. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Review: Tempopo (Nintendo Switch)". Digitally Downloaded. 18 April 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  4. Lane, Gavin (10 June 2024). "Unpacking Dev's Musical Puzzler 'Tempopo' Is Coming To Switch This Year: Quite my Tempopo". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 Romano, Sal (9 June 2024). "Contemplative puzzle game Tempopo announced for Xbox Series, Xbox One, Switch, and PC: From the studio behind Unpacking". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Hagues, Alana (29 December 2024). "Feature: How Lemmings, ChuChu Rocket & Nintendo Inspired Unpacking Devs' Next Game: "When you play it, you feel connected, not judged"". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  7. Di Giovanni, Gianni; Loh, Mitchel (15 May 2025). "TEMPOPO is the musical puzzle game from the makers of UNPACKING: Part step sequencer part programable puzzle game, this cute game will get you to try and try again before it all comes together". Sifter. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  8. Purchese, Robert (3 July 2024). "The Unpacking team on why there won't be a sequel, life-changing success, and new game Tempopo: "It's so incredibly privileged to be in this place."". Eurogamer. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  9. "Tempopo - Official Reveal Trailer". IGN. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Tempopo". Metacritic. 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  11. Lada, Jenni (25 April 2025). "Review: Tempopo Is Another Charming Witch Beam Game". Siliconera. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  12. Patches, Matt (5 May 2025). "The Unpacking team packed Tempopo full of puzzles and bops". Polygon. Retrieved 5 September 2025.

Tempopo at MobyGames