Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Temple Run vs Temple Run 2

Temple Run 4.7★ · Free to download 40
Winner Temple Run 2
Temple Run 2 4.5★ · Free + IAP 70

Temple Run 2 is the better choice for players seeking a classic endless runner experience, despite its ad frequency, while the newer Temple Run (Legends) struggles with significant bugs and a departure from the original feel.

Full reviews: Temple Run · Temple Run 2

Temple Run 2 maintains its status as a beloved classic, offering nostalgic gameplay and generally stable performance, though many users complain about excessive ads. The newer Temple Run (Legends) introduces levels and new mechanics but is plagued by numerous bugs, crashes, and a perceived shift in art style and gameplay that disappoints fans of the original.

Head to head

Gameplay and Features edge: Temple Run 2R2R6R7R8
Temple Run Temple Run (Legends) introduces a level-based system, which some users find fun and engaging, with new features like swimming and different characters with unique skills R2R8R14. However, many players feel this new structure makes the game feel like a 'Candy Crush bootleg' or 'Subway Surfers masquerading as Temple Run,' departing from the original endless runner experience R7. Some also find the levels repetitive and boring, lacking challenges R6.
Temple Run 2 Temple Run 2 largely retains the core endless runner gameplay that made the original popular, with many users appreciating its nostalgic value and consistent fun . It offers various characters and challenges, though some find the challenges too hard . Players also appreciate the simple, time-passing nature of the game .
Ease of Use and Controls tieR16R45R49R54
Temple Run Temple Run (Legends) has issues with controls and user interface. Some users report that controls are the same as native Apple controls, leading to accidental app minimization R16. There are also complaints about the character selection screen freezing R49R54 and tutorial text getting stuck, blocking progress R45.
Temple Run 2 Temple Run 2's controls are generally well-understood by long-time players . However, a significant number of users express frustration with the tilt controls, especially when playing in certain positions like lying down, wishing for a full swipe control option . The character selector was also criticized for being disorganized after an update .
Reliability and Performance edge: Temple Run 2R12R13R16R18
Temple Run Temple Run (Legends) suffers from severe reliability issues, with numerous reports of the game crashing immediately after launch or during gameplay R21R30R34. Users also experience black screens upon loading R31, stuttering after updates , and various in-game glitches like characters falling through levels, incorrect jump/slide counts, or missing treasure chests R12R13R16R18.
Temple Run 2 Temple Run 2 also has performance issues, though seemingly less severe than the newer version. Some users report the game logging them out or crashing . There are complaints about the game being laggy and cluttered and specific bugs like power-up challenges not registering or a persistent badge on power-ups . Some users also report no sound on newer devices .
Price and Value (Free vs. Paid) edge: Temple RunR2R7R61R67
Temple Run Temple Run (Legends) is free to download and is part of Apple Arcade. While it doesn't have ads in the same way as free-to-play games, some users mention a desire to watch ads to continue a level R2 and the game's overall design feels less premium, like a 'cheaply made' version R7.
Temple Run 2 Temple Run 2 is free to download with in-app purchases (IAP). The primary complaint from users is the overwhelming number of intrusive ads, often appearing after every run, which makes the game 'unplayable' for many R61R67R76R87. Some users who paid for no ads still report being asked to rate the app excessively R61.
Pick Temple Run if

you are an Apple Arcade subscriber looking for a level-based runner and are willing to overlook significant bugs and a departure from the classic Temple Run feel R7R16R21R30.

Pick Temple Run 2 if

you want the classic endless runner experience, enjoy the nostalgic gameplay, and are prepared to tolerate frequent ads or pay to remove them .

Evidence note: Temple Run (Legends) has a much smaller number of reviews, which are heavily skewed negative due to severe technical issues and a perceived shift in gameplay. Temple Run 2 has a vast number of reviews, with a significant portion expressing frustration over ads, but still many positive reviews for its core gameplay.

Frequently asked

What are the main differences between Temple Run and Temple Run 2?
The newer Temple Run (Legends) introduces a level-based progression system and new mechanics like swimming, departing from the original endless runner format, while Temple Run 2 largely maintains the classic endless runner gameplay of the original R7R14. Temple Run (Legends) is also plagued by numerous bugs and crashes, whereas Temple Run 2's main issue is frequent ads R21R30R67R76.
Is Temple Run (Legends) buggy?
Yes, Temple Run (Legends) is widely reported to be buggy, with users experiencing frequent crashes, black screens, freezing character selection, and in-game glitches that hinder progress R21R30R31R34.
Does Temple Run 2 have too many ads?
Yes, many users report that Temple Run 2 has an excessive number of intrusive ads, often appearing after every run, which significantly detracts from the gameplay experience and leads some to uninstall the game R61R67R76R87.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Temple Run 4/5 · US I love this action-packed game!: I love this game I was looking for an action-packed game and came across this one and made it all the way to level 40. I will keep this game it’s fire. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I feel like they should let you watch an ad to be able to continue where you left off if you lose a level once. I love the fact that you can skip a level once a day that
  2. [R6] Temple Run 3/5 · US Give us something to work for.: So I just wish you would give us challenges. And it gets kinda boring. You just do the same thing.
  3. [R7] Temple Run 1/5 · US This feels like a candy crush bootleg: The way the team introduced 'levels' makes this feel cheaply made. Also, the new cartoony designs make this feel less like the originals. The levels are also pretty short
  4. [R8] Temple Run 5/5 · US Fun Casual Game: Fun interactive casual game that tests your reflexes and choose the runner whose skills compliment the challenges. Currently on Lv 90 and play 2-3 levels daily with no trouble putting it down. It could be addictive to some.
  5. [R16] Temple Run 2/5 · US Fun But Buggy and Aggravating: Be prepared for some fun and aggravation with this game. Certain levels are only winnable with specific character upgrades. That’s when your character isn’t falling through a level or you don’t accidentally close the game. Who decided to make the controls the exact same as the native Apple controls for minimizing and switching apps? At the very least give us the opti
  6. [R45] Temple Run 3/5 · GB Not very polished: Did no one QA this game? The tutorial ‘turn left’ text was stuck on the screen so I couldn’t progress because it was covering the ‘continue’ button.
  7. [R49] Temple Run 1/5 · US Glitches: I have an issue when I go the the characters. It won’t let me upgrade or click on any of them. It keeps showing an arrow pointed down. It stays frozen and I have to get out and back in in order to play again.
  8. [R54] Temple Run 2/5 · US Stuck: I would have gave it a five star but all of sudden it’s stuck on the runners screen. The arrows just point down and it won’t do anything. I’m afraid I’m going to have to delete it. It was fun while it lasted.
  9. [R12] Temple Run 3/5 · US If it is good or bad: Sometimes I lose and sometimes I don’t but the most parts is the water like I did not do anything and touch anything and it is terrible like a lot.
  10. [R13] Temple Run 1/5 · US Emerald Level 10 there is no 3rd treasure chest.: How do you get three stars without a third treasure chest. I am not the only one. There is a whole reddit page dedicated to complaining about it.
  11. [R18] Temple Run 3/5 · US Good but: buggy.
  12. [R61] Temple Run 2 1/5 · US Annoying: Won’t stop asking after a million times to rate the app. I paid for no ads
  13. [R67] Temple Run 2 1/5 · US Too many ads: I hadn’t played this game in a long time. Opened it up last night and was immediately bombarded with ads. I was also out of practice and couldn’t remember the controls so I died almost immediately. Was forced to watch another ad to continue game play or pay a gem. This really killed it for me. I don’t remember it being that bad before. The number of ads made the game unplayable for m
  14. [R14] Temple Run 5/5 · US This great app: This app is an amazing newer version of the older TempleRun. I love the new feature where you can swim and I feel that they should do more of this great work all applause to Temple Run Legends. It really is a new TempleRun adventure!!!👍🏻
  15. [R21] Temple Run 3/5 · US I keep getting kicked from the game: It seems like a fun game but after level one it keeps dumping me out of the game.
  16. [R30] Temple Run 3/5 · US Game keeps crashing: Pretty straightforward and easy game to pass time. My only gripe is that this game just keeps crashing. To the point now it just gives me an unexpected error message every time I start it up. Hopefully an update will fix that but for now it’s unplayable.
  17. [R31] Temple Run 1/5 · US Fun game but….: Every other time I load the game I get a black screen. I always have to do a hard close on my IPad then reload the game. Even after the hard close & reload the screen is still black! Takes several times to get back in. VERY ANNOYING!!!
  18. [R34] Temple Run 1/5 · US Game doesnt work: Game wont load. Deleted then reuploaded x 25. Dont bother
  19. [R76] Temple Run 2 1/5 · US Floods of ads: Too many ads even when you say no ad to continue after you fail it still gives you 2 minute ads😤
  20. [R87] Temple Run 2 3/5 · US Ads: Fun but the insane amount of ads make it not even worth it, just like every other game.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store