Temple Run 2

Temple Run 2 features the same controls as its predecessor. However, the gameplay itself is slightly different insofar as it introduces new obstacles, such as zip-lines, mine tracks, sharper turns, waterfalls, and jets of fire. The game also features new power-ups, whose use is typically governed by an energy bar that is filled up by collecting coins. Should the character die from hitting any obstacles or falling off the path, the player will be given a brief period of time to save them and continue with green gems that are collected while running, or purchased online. The game is set in a different location than the first game, and the main character runs faster. The three monkeys that pursue the character in the original game have been replaced with a single large monkey called Shushank, who is the sole antagonist.^[11]

The initial release featured Guy Dangerous as the default character, with Scarlett Fox, Barry Bones and Karma Lee being unlockable.^[12] In early versions of the game, Scarlett Fox had to be purchased with coins. This requirement was later dropped in an update on April 20, 2022, in support of gender equality, allowing people to play as the character immediately upon downloading the game.^[13]

In August 2013, Usain Bolt was made available for purchase for a limited time, though this was later made permanent.^[14] In December, Santa Claus was made available for purchase, only for a limited time.^[15]

On September 9, 2014, the character Maria Selva was released as part of a promotion with National Geographic Kids books.^[16] In October, several National Football League players were made available for purchase for a limited time.^[17]

The development of Temple Run 2 began in March 2012. Imangi Studios stated that the main goal of the game was to make the gameplay similar and familiar to the original while introducing new elements and creating a "redeveloped experience."^[18] According to Keith Shepherd, "Our biggest reason for doing the sequel instead of an update is that we just weren't going to be able to make these changes to the original. Under the hood, the game was completely re-written from scratch and it's now in much better shape to allow us to continue adding more to it over time."^[1] Natalia Luckyanova added "Once it became so popular, there was a ton we wanted to do to Temple Run but it really wasn't built for expansion. It's built on top of our in-house 3D engine, which is pretty limited and requires a lot of coding on our end to make any changes. Plus, we didn't want to change Temple Run too dramatically, since so many people were playing it and loving it. So we decided to make a brand new version, where we could update the graphics, play around with powers, create new environments, etc."^[19]

Temple Run 2 was announced in a surprise announcement by Imangi Studios on January 16, 2013, with the game being released in the App Store in New Zealand immediately, and an international release coming a few hours later.^[20] The Android version was released on January 24, 2013.^[3] The Windows Phone 8 version was released on December 20, 2013, with the inclusion of Xbox Live achievements. A version for Tizen was released on October 13, 2016. Within four days of its iOS release, the game had reached twenty million downloads, six million of which were within the first twenty-four hours.^[21] As of 2018, Imangi Studios continues to develop Temple Run 2 and other games from their Raleigh, NC location.^[22]

A direct sequel titled Temple Run 3 was released for Android in October 2025.^[23][24]