Temple Run 2 Review

Developer: Imangi Studios

4.5 out of 5 stars

Temple Run 2, much like the original, became a major overnight success and topped the app stores on mobile devices. It has the qualities that gamers enjoyed in its predecessor, but the level of updates and improvements that went into the game’s development make the original Temple Run pale in comparison to this new and improved sequel.

 The update to the graphics is the most noticeable change. There is much smoother and cleaner detail work that also adds a level of depth to the gameplay. The levels no longer consist of only straight pathways that the player must run through. Instead, curves and obstacles, like the spike wheel, add to the level of danger and show the alterations in the inner-workings of the game itself.

Along with additions to the landscape such as hills and bridges, the environment itself has become another obstacle that the player comes up against in their travels. Waterfalls and stone buildings are just a few of the obstacles that spice up what the player must duck under or jump over.

This added flare is also seen in the addition of alternative transportation, such as zip lines and mine trains. The various new twists to the formula all contribute to the novelty of the sequel, giving Temple Run 2 a much needed change of pace.

While abilities have returned, they have been altered so that there is a bigger range of unique skills to choose from. Among the options are upgrading the player’s shield, the frequency of abilities appearing in-game and how quickly the power meter fills up.

The power-ups are certainly the game’s biggest addition. The player is able to choose out of six power-ups that activate certain abilities immediately. In order to fill the power meter, the player must collect coins.  When the power meter is full, a simple double-tap on the screen activates the chosen power.

The power-up system allows the player to choose a way to play that fits their style, making Temple Run 2 a much more individualized experience. Players who wish to survive longer can now lengthen the duration of the shields. Those who are interested in collecting coins to purchase new characters or abilities can select a power to help them with that goal.

Taking the time to buy different characters is also more useful in Temple Run 2. Instead of simply being collectables, the new characters now allows for different power-ups to be used. This makes character purchasing more relevant to the gameplay.

On the downside, there is a serious amount of pop-up issues, with the environmental graphics just popping onto screen occasionally. This will hopefully be patched out in an upcoming update. The game also needs to be fixed so that it can work on an iPad, as the game is too large for the iPad to run properly. There are similar problems for Android phones. On the iPhone, however, the game works fine.

Overall, Temple Run 2 is a major improvement over the original.  There are lot of new features that players can look forward to that really change the overall feel of the game, making for a more interactive experience. There are some problems that need addressing, but there’s nothing that a simple update can’t fix.