'Temple Run' Keeps You On Your Toes

Temple Run by Imangi Studios is an endless runner game with the trappings of an opening scene from one of the  Indiana Jones movies. The premise of the game is simple: grab the idol, outrun monsters, and avoid fatal falls, death traps and trips. Amongst the many endless runner games in the App Store, Temple Run manages to ensnare the player's attention in a fast pacde race filled with sharp corners, deadly drops and narrow ledges. Controls consist of finger swipes and title movements instead of the traditional button tapping. An interest choice as mistiming a swipe is easier than a button tap. However, the control choice works in favor of the game as the reaction time needed to avoid a messy demise keeps players tense and focused.

httpv://youtu.be/pKojTHH-xwM Temple Run trailer Click here to watch on YouTube 

The point of view is third person chase which helps maintain tension as each obstacle the player faces is literally right around the corner. With each success at avoiding a death, accompanied with its own themed splat sound, the game increases the running speed. While on the run the player can gently tilt the screen to collect coins which can be used later for upgrades. But I stress the 'gently' part as too many bumps against walls will give pursuers the chance to reclaim the idol and vent their justifiable frustration out on the player. Or if on a narrow ledge the player will veer off the stone path into a watery death.

Upgrades are in the form of more coins, coin magnet (no risk of veering off the path), invisibility, death resurrections, different characters to use and wallpaper. Collecting enough coins in a game is easy enough to gain power ups, but more coins can be bought if the player feels the need to be prepared for anything. The game environment is the standard package for any adventurous explorer. The setting is very nostalgic of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider. A lot of ancient and crumbling stone pathways and temples along with giant tree roots and statues sprouting columns of fire. And let's not forget the monster monkey who act as the idol's guardians. Temple Run is a terrific endless runner game. Imangi Studios created a great freemium game app available for iPhone and iPad. With an average rating of over 4 stars on App Store based on tens of thousands of ratings, do yourself a favor and try Temple Run out. AppPicker Rating: 4 / 5 Stars App Store link: Temple Run Other apps by Imangi Studios