Temple Run 2 Review – A nice improvement over the original

Our rating:

By: Imangi Studios, LLC

Version #: 1.0

Date Released: 2013-01-17

Developer: Temple Run 2 Support

Price: 0.00

User Rating:

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For many casual iOS users, Temple Run was their first introduction into the infinite runner genre of games. The fast paced camera movements and challenging obstacles drew people in by droves and made their move to a freemium model a success. With Temple Run’s huge popularity, Imangi’s sequel had monster sized shoes to fill. Does Temple Run 2 meet it’s fan’s expectations, or will it find itself being devoted by the disappointed hordes of pursuing monsters.

Temple Run 2 doesn’t steer far from its predecessor in theme. You are still running from some crazy monster after snatching up a cursed idol. You still have an “over the shoulder” camera angle that swings quickly with the 90 turns and plenty of obstacles that will get in your way or even kill you. What you will notice immediately is the improved graphics.

The landscape and environment has been greatly improved but the game has retained its build gameplay even on an older iPhone 4. There are new environments including a Indiana Jones-esque mine cart ride. Secondly, Temple Run 2 offers a power-up activator meter that fills up by collecting coins. When it is full you have a simple on-demand power-up. It starts as a shield, but you are able to unlock more as you play the game. The regular power-ups appear as normal but you must jump for them and you never know which ones will appear.

If you enjoyed upgrades in the original, then you will love Temple Run 2 twice as much. There are four characters you can unlock with coins as well as the usual number of upgrades. There is a nice achievement feature that gives you three revolving goals to meet which increase your level. At level increments you get big bonuses coins or gems. Gems are primarily used to allow you to pick up where you left off. When you fall/slam into a wall/get eaten by the monster (and I do mean when), a button appears along the bottom that lets you restart if you tap it in the few seconds it is there. This will cost you one gem at first and additional gems for each respawn.

Temple Run 2 is a nice improvement over the original. I wouldn’t go so far as you say it is a full blown sequel, but it offers everything the original game had and then adds a bit more. Fans of the genre will of course eat it up while I think those that feel like this style of game has grown stale will not find anything earth shattering within the walls of this temple.