I wrote about an addictive run-as-far-as-you-can game called Temple Run back in December, and now it’s back with a Brave-themed version. Temple Run: Brave ($.99 for iOS or Android) is still basically the same game: you run along a path, swiping to turn left or right or to jump over or slide under obstacles. You tilt left and right to grab the coins, and basically try to last as long as possible without dying. In this case, though, instead of being a treasure hunter chased by creepy ape-creatures, you play as Merida being chased by Mor’du the bear. The landscape is made to look a little more like the medieval Scotland of the movie instead of the tropical jungle-ish look of the original game, and every so often Merida will spout off a little quip (I’m guessing these are sound clips from the movie, but I haven’t seen it yet to know for sure).
Merida runs from Mor'du the bear, and takes aim at some targets.
The one difference in gameplay is the addition of a target-shooting segment. In some parts of the forest, an arrow icon will appear, signalling that there will be targets to shoot. A number of dots at the top shows how many targets there will be in this batch, and you tap on the left or right side of the screen to fire an arrow when you see them appear. (You don’t actually have to tap the targets themselves, just the correct side of the screen.) You get bonus coins and points for hitting the targets, and during the target practice you won’t run into further obstacles or turns.
Store and Objectives
The store, where you can spend coins to purchase powerups, is basically the same, although instead of purchasing different characters you get some different costumes for Merida and the unlockable backgrounds feature characters from the movie. The Objectives screen has a fun touch, though: they’re arranged in groups of five objectives, and when you complete each one, you get part of an image that forms some iconic scene from the movie. Complete all five in a group and you’ll have the entire picture.
Overall: Does the new theme really change the game much? No, not really, and it doesn’t make sense that Merida will stop and shoot some arrows for practice while running from a giant bear. But it’s still fun in an endless, repetitive sort of way. I’ve found myself playing it a lot to unlock the objectives, but ultimately it’s not a huge change from the original. The good news is, it doesn’t turn Merida into some traditional princess figure, but that’s mostly because she’s just running and running and not doing much else.
Disclosure: GeekDad received review copies of the book and apps in this post.
