Fleeing the monkeys

Emily Forseth, Reporter 2/17/2011

The newest addiction of all teenagers is one free video game: Temple Run. It has been one of the top fifty downloaded games in the Apple app store and seems to be on almost every U-Prep student’s iPhone or iPod. Temple Run is best described by SlideToPlay.com, a popular gaming review website, stated that, “In pretty much every treasure hunting adventure movie there’s one specific scene in which the plucky hero finally gets his hands on the treasure but then has to navigate a maze of booby traps in order to get out alive. Temple Run is this scene and nothing else. And it’s amazing.”

Everyone loves the game and views it as a social activity. Amanda McCandless (6) shares with wide eyes, “Temple Run is one of my favorite games to play on my iPod because it is so amusing. All of my friends get together on the weekends and play.”

Temple Run is commonly described as one word: addicting. Students find time to play in class, in the car, at home, and any other possible chance. Coen Hutton (9) states, “Temple Run reminds me of Indiana Jones. It is so suspenseful and I have a hard time separating myself from the game.”

The option of picking your own character is just one of the many ways Temple Run has created new excitement. Hannah Pulcini (12) adds, “It’s an upbeat addicting game whose in-app purchases keep you coming back for more. I keep playing [Temple Run] so that I can get more power-ups and rewards and the little football player is my favorite character.”

Students love the idea of playing collecting coins. Alonnah Torculas (9) explains, “Temple Run is my favorite game! It is so addicting because I feel like I can’t stop until I have collected enough coins. It took me the longest time to figure out what creature was chasing me, it turns out that it was a monkey. They look so scary!”

Mariah Storer (9) says, “Once I found out about Temple Run I downloaded it onto my iPhone to see what the big deal was, and ever since I have been addicted. It is one of my most used apps, and I couldn’t imagine what else I spent my time doing before. I love it.”

Unfortunately, Temple Run, like many other popular video games, can be seen as a distraction from being on task. Madison Thompson (9) adds, “One time I stayed up until ten o’clock playing Temple Run, and forgot to do my homework. It wasn’t as great in the morning when reality set in.”

There are a few students who do not think that Temple Run is all the hype. Kayla Long (9) shares, “Personally, I think that Temple Run is a waste of time. It’s all that anyone ever talks about, but it’s not that great. It’s just another fad and soon people will get over it.”

All in all, Temple Run is a game recommended by many. Be sure to check out the app store and download it if you have not already. Good luck to fleeing the monkeys!