Temple Run 2 1.110.0

I remember not so long ago seeing the Temple Run logo displayed among other app icons on mobile store windows. It seemed like it was the latest anti-virus software or something. Of course, being me and actively ignoring hyped things, I manged to try Temple Run 2 after playing quite a few of the original's clones.

I can't say what this version does different since I'm not keen on installing the original Temple Run. However, I noticed that this one seems to be very similar to Subway Surfers, a game that I played for months. The smoothness of the action must be the main reason.

The character in Temple Run 2 has a fairly complex move repertoire compared to ones in other games. Changing lanes is done by tilting the device, while swiping is reserved for quick turns at edges and intersections. Swiping vertically is again used for jumping and sliding, and double-tapping engages a speed and shield boost. The black over-sized undead rat thing that I remember seeing in the original game is back. I must say that its appearance is much more motivating than the train controller chasing you in Subway Surfers. Being caught by it means you're getting eaten. Although this is not shown in the animation, it is expressed in the results screen by a suggestive caption and picture. Don't worry. This game is safe for kids. There's no graphical violence of any kind.

Temple Run 2 has three environments (called maps) that you can chose to play in. Besides looks, each contains specific challenges and differ in difficulty, or so I noticed. Two of them are free, but the third one, "Frozen Shadow" can only be obtained by spending a considerable amount of gems, and we all know how we get those.

I like Temple Run 2. The ramped-up difficulty is refreshing. Although you can be saved by spending gems, I would personally not do that because it spoils the challenge, and challenge is what we need in this age of games that reward mediocrity.