We’ve all seen runner games in touch devices — some of them are pretty bad that they get deleted from my iPad at the same day. However, it comes as a pleasant surprise that Temple Run had gotten my (and my girlfriend’s) attention for almost two weeks now. I feel like a winner in my new find — Temple Run (free via iTunes) is extremely addicting.
Each game in Temple run starts at the same scenario. You touch an idol and a number of monkey-like creatures chase your character while you navigate through the maze of brick, stones and wooden pathways. Unlike any other runner games, though, this one is 3D, in a third person view. The way is not straight either. Corners are a common thing you see in the game and you would have to turn avoid running into the muddy river below. The way is littered with hazards too — trees, traps and pitfalls are there to end your run.
While other automatic running games offer only one button (jump), Temple Run ups the difficulty level by giving you quite a few control schemes — swipe right to turn right, swipe left to turn left, swipe up to jump and swipe down to slide. Additionally you should tilt the device left or right to guide the explorer to the coins that are scattered on the way.
The coins are for unlocking more in game features, like extra characters (for vanity effects only, all characters have the same ability — the run) wallpapers and in-game power-ups. The power-ups include a magnet that attracts coins so you won’t have to the iPad, a invisibility power-up that lets you by pass obstacles and a run boost. All of there can be further be upgraded by the coins.
While it all sound a bit complicated, Temple Run is quite easy to learn to play. Given a few initial runs, I was able to run around a thousand meters. The magic of Temple Run though, is that while you see always the same background, no two games are exactly the same as each play is randomly generated.
No other endless runner had me addicted since Gravity Guy. Temple Run is already making big waves in the app store and this might become the next Angry Birds. I don’t know, But I am itching for one more round of Temple Run. Maybe ten. 5/5 (Plus a sore finger.)
Download Temple Run (Free via iTunes)
