So far the MMO Aspect doesn't seem like it brings much to the table. There's the ability to co-op with a friend, and since all the fights are 2v2, that allows for you to at least battle with a partner.

That in mind, I'm having fun with it, though I am cutting it slack for being in Early Access.

I still don't get what's the appeal of making it an MMO... what more does it bring?

Keeps reminding me that we're not going to get a good sequel to Jade Cocoon. The first one was a great system that played very differently to Pokemon where you could heavily customize them, the story was pretty good as well. Second one had a far to exploitable battle system

TemTem is what Pokémon lost throughout the series. Battles are challenging and leveling takes time, unlike Pokémon where you massively outlevel all content very quickly.

Temtem updates. Pokemon doesn't though it is willing to downgrade.

Having a Pokemon style game available to an audience beyond Nintendo is a plus in my book. Not everyone wants to deal with Nintendo's arrogance over their overpriced software.

It's on steam so it wins by default.

The same difference between many games that are popular these days: Different companies.

@Cory Pretty much!
Does it have pokeymans?
Yes: It is pokeymans game.
No: It is no pokeymans game.

Trademarks and Copyrights; that is the Biggest difference.

There's also the fact there's a stamina meter instead of PP, nearly all battles are 2 v 2. There's a built in team synergy with moves and types. Follows the same basic pokemon pacing of overarching goal from what ive seen but mechanically quite different.

If it ends up being TOO much like the pokeymans, Nintendo might try and get it shut down.