Once I’m driving on the New York Metropolis subway, I’m virtually at all times taking part in a sport on my Steam Deck or Nintendo Change. I nonetheless haven’t gotten over the novel attraction of attending to take a sophisticated, graphically intense sport like Elden Ring on the go. I’m spoiled, however generally I can’t assist however glimpse on the grass on the opposite facet. Generally I’ll discover a fellow commuter taking part in a easy cellular sport like Subway Surfers.
In that second, I’m torn in two. One a part of me feels thrilled that moveable gaming is now not restrained to brainless experiences like that. One other a part of me, although, needs I used to be taking part in that sport as an alternative.
Whereas I’ve lengthy prevented — and even perhaps seemed down on — the infinite runner style, I’ve lastly given into its mystical attraction with Temple Run: Legends. Apple Arcade’s newest unique shakes the cellular traditional up with bite-sized platforming ranges along with its infinite play mode. It’s an ideal compromise for individuals who see the attraction of a sequence like Temple Run, however want some firmer objectives and aims. That’s serving to me lastly perceive the satisfying attraction of a well-liked style, even when it isn’t altering my world.
Imangi Studios
Temple Run: Legends wants little introduction. Gamers management an explorer who runs previous obstacles and collects cash. They’ll swipe left and proper to maneuver them between lanes, swipe down to slip below low obstacles, or swipe as much as bounce. That’s all you want to know. Is there a narrative advised all through its 500 brief ranges? I assume so. I couldn’t inform you what it’s and I’m over 150 ranges deep.
That’s as a result of video games like Temple Run aren’t there to gentle up your mind; they’re time machines. In my first session with it, I take it on the subway. Legends feels virtually completely engineered for that have. A degree lasts virtually precisely one subway cease, prefer it was timed for that goal. My journey into Manhattan flies by immediately, every degree ticking down what number of stops I’ve left. All of my power goes to my thumb because it lazily swipes by way of easy ranges. I get a gradual stream of dopamine once I run by way of a row of glittering cash. I lastly perceive what my fellow commuters have been doing all these years; it’s like novacaine.
Legends does add only a bit extra brainpower to the same old method. It has a number of unlockable characters, every of which has two particular talents. One can magnetize cash to them, whereas one other can run over water. Every capacity might be upgraded just a few occasions with the cash I accumulate, including a easy development hook. Each day rewards, problem ranges, and a traditional infinite mode spherical out a snug bundle that’s an apparent obtain for Apple Arcade subscribers.
Is it good? Whoa there buddy, don’t put phrases in my mouth! Infinite runners are inherently repetitive video games, by design, and Legends solely provides to that drawback by splitting itself up into 500 related ranges. There are various gimmicks right here and there, like annoying underwater ranges which have me transferring in all instructions, however each is structurally equivalent. Some character talents give gamers the ability to route by way of them in several methods, however that hardly adjustments the sport really feel. When you attempt to sit down with Legends and dedicate your full consideration to it, as you’d a standard sport, you’ll undoubtedly discover it boring.
However that’s not the way it’s meant to be performed. It’s a fidget toy that I flick at whereas I’m doing one thing else, like bingeing a TV present I’ve watched numerous occasions. It’s maybe why video games like Subway Surfers have turn into synonymous with TikTok movies that cram gameplay footage in subsequent to a different clip. There’s an simple easy mind attraction that I can extra simply perceive in a level-based spin on the style that higher performs to the hooks I usually latch on to in video games.
I suppose all of this can be a lengthy, overly sophisticated manner of claiming that Temple Run: Legends is a superbly high-quality method to maintain your twitchy fingers occupied. It’s a black gap that sucks in all ideas and emotions and spits out carefree satisfaction. Generally that’s all you actually need.
Temple Run: Legends is now accessible by way of Apple Arcade.
