The apocalypse is upon the Aztecs and it is up to you to stop it! 

Looking for a different kind of adventure that is familiar yet interesting, all at the same time? Then look no further than the latest gift from RetroStyle Games. Yes, gift. For a limited time, the makers of Zombie Run HD are offering, for free, a game that has you running stone paths, rickety wooden bridges and taking hairpin turns to collect life-renewing gemstones and stay alive, all in a quest called Spirit Run, to keep your Aztec Temple from ruin.

The apocalypse is upon the Aztecs, and it is up to you to stop it. You choose your runner from a choice of five. One of them is the standard and comes for free, while the others come with a price, literally. You can upgrade to the “better” runners by either spending points you’ve accumulated through game play or by making an in-app purchase. When you first download the app, you will be impressed with the realistic graphics and details that have gone into each character and into the surroundings. The Aztec temple stands monumental in the background, waiting to be saved. After choosing your player, tap on the “PLAY” button, which is artfully rendered as an aqua-colored triangular shaped gem.

The first few runs are simple and basic, and are offered as an exercise to become acquainted with movements in the game. Spirit Run outlines skills the player will be learning and using before the beginning of the initial few “tutorial” levels. Master them, which won’t be difficult, and move on to the next set of challenges and lessons. The game is not that different from other “running” games, like Temple Run; but, it puts those same game-playing skills to the test in a new time, place and adventure. You are now not an Indiana-Jones wanna-be; you are now an Aztecan who needs to save a temple and the people of it.

As you progress through levels, there are more challenges that present themselves, forcing you to think and act quicker. When faced with danger, the beast within can be brought forth by double-tapping. Yes, each player has a connection to the soul of an animal. It could be a Fox, Bear, Panther, Wolf or Panda. Basic movements to maneuver through the maze include:

• Swipe up to jump
• Swipe down to slide
• Tap to transform into your animal soul 

If you should fall into a ravine or get hit, count on the gems or lives you’ve collected to rejuvenate and run again. Be sure to collect as much as you can so that you have a hearty store in place, which will be vital for survival as you climb into higher levels of difficulty. The only issue with this game is the difficulty in finding what you need on the main screen. While the graphics and artwork is amazing, it is also hard to decipher what each of the icons is for, and sometimes leads you to places you may not intend to go.