Apple Gaming Showcase Highlights The Range of Experiences Available on iPhone and Beyond

Summer is the time of year when companies love to show off their latest games and projects they're working on. Even though Summer Game Fest is over, that doesn't mean the showcases are. Apple invited Restart to attend its recent Apple Gaming Showcase, where we got our hands on a variety of games, including Temple Run: Legends, Zenless Zone Zero, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and many more.

Most gaming showcases are held in private venues so that developers can confidently discuss what they're showing off and hint at what's to come in the future without worrying about information leaking to the public. This was no different. Apple rented out a small building in the LA area to showcase why people should be playing on its platforms.

Feeling the vibe

When I walked in, I was greeted by the iconic Apple logo, illuminated by soft blue and red hues. There was also a DJ in the corner playing some summer jams, and a bar stacked with little finger foods and drinks. The second I saw that, I thought, "This event is going to be one of the most relaxing ones I've ever attended," Boy, was I right.

Apple had laid out each gaming section as if it were an amusement park. One corner contained only iPhones and another contained only iPads, with a mix of Backbone controllers and MacBooks being sprinkled throughout. In addition, there were areas devoted to Capcom, Ubisoft, and HoYoverse, all with comfy couches and chairs to sit on.

Like a kid in a candy shop, I went straight for HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero, which was released in July. Apple had a section of its area paired with Ubiosft's Assassin's Creed Mirage, which was playable via Backbone controllers. Even though I didn't play the latter, from what I saw of the folks playing next to me, the game ran smoothly and looked gorgeous. And Zenless Zone Zero was no different. As someone who has never played HoYoverse’s games, I immediately understood their appeal. They're fun hack-and-slash anime games with amazing art.

Run for your life

After I was done kicking some serious anime butt, I walked over to the iPhone section to play Imangi Studios’ latest game, Temple Run: Legends. When I arrived, I was greeted by a nice gentleman who offered to show me the ropes of the game. To my surprise, I was chatting with Walter Devins, the CEO of Imangi Studios. He showed me various aspects of Legends, which all make it feel like a step in the right direction of evolving the franchise.

Devins said "Temple Run: Legends has handcrafted levels from our design team. Each level lasts about a minute to two minutes and sometimes may take you a couple of tries. Within each level are specific challenges that [you need to complete] to unlock up to three stars. It's a progression-style game that you can only progress through the map and to new worlds and unlocking characters by making sure that you can pass these levels."

During my time with the game, Devins showed me some of the levels players will enjoy, which involve more than just running. For instance, on top of the standard endless runner gameplay, players will be forced to dive into the water and begin swimming for their lives. While swimming, you'll need to grab oxygen bubbles to stay alive.

As we continued to play, Devins revealed that Temple Run: Legends will have a lore-filled story for players to follow. He explained the story won't be too intense, because it's meant to be lighthearted and fun. With a story being implemented, it felt like I had a goal to work toward other than just unlocking the next level. If you're excited to try this new take on Temple Run, you won’t have to wait long,because Temple Run: Legends is scheduled to release exclusively on Apple Arcade on August 1.

A serious Need for Speed

Once I finished running for my life in Temple Run: Legends, I decided to hop into the driver's seat in EA's Need For Speed Mobile. Right off the bat, I was impressed by how intuitive the game was. After I sat down to play, I was greeted by Dan Zhao, the game’s product director. Once the game loaded, Zhao asked me, "What's your favorite type of car?" I answered "Lamborghini" as if it was instinct. After saying that, we quickly went through the vast selection of cars in the game before we landed on a shiny red Lambo.

What’s unique about Need for Speed Mobile is the amount of freedom it gives to players. It was a true open-world game that allows you to drive anywhere within the map's boundaries. Zhao took the time to explain that the game also has a narrative story for players to follow, and on top of that, they can also make custom race tracks on the fly by selecting specific points on the map. Even though I played it on mobile, it felt like a traditional Need for Speed game, in the sense that you need to go fast and be the first to cross the finish line. As of now, Need for Speed Mobile is only playable in China, but it'll be coming to the US soon.

Prince of Persia comes to Mac

By this point in the day, the event was winding down. Before it officially ended, I bolted over to the Ubisoft corner to see how Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown played on a MacBook. It did not disappoint. Right off the top, I was impressed with how the game looked and how it ran. If Ubiosft had said the game was secretly running on a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, I would have believed it. There was no delay, input lag, or anything hindering my experience. Walking away from The Lost Crown made me want to go home and buy it right away. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will come to Mac in winter 2024.

After my time with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, the event officially ended. I walked away impressed with everything Apple had shown off, especially Temple Run: Legends, which felt familiar, but added so much more content to keep players engaged. Plus, after being blown away by how smooth Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is on Mac, I’m convinced Apple is taking its gaming initiative seriously.