TROPA RUN: MOBILE ADVENTURE GAME EXPLORING HISTORICAL PLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Nowadays, mobile games serve not only as a form of entertainment but also as instruments for cultural
preservation and education. Nevertheless, Filipino culture and history remain underrepresented in mobile
gaming, which restricts opportunities for younger generations to engage with their heritage in significant ways.
To tackle this issue, the developers created Tropa Run: Mobile Adventure Game Exploring Historical Places in
the Philippines. The objective of the game is to enhance historical awareness and foster cultural appreciation
through engaging missions, straightforward storytelling, and enjoyable gameplay. Tropa Run is a threedimensional (3D) adventure running game where users must complete missions in order before unlocking the
next stage. Each mission is set in a famous landmark: Intramuros, Calle Crisologo, the Banaue Rice Terraces,
Colon Street, and the Relief Map of Mindanao. These locations were chosen to highlight the rich cultural legacy
of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Additionally, an endless mode is included, allowing users to keep playing
even after finishing the missions. To enhance the game's engagement, it incorporates trivia challenges, rewards,
and brief narratives centered around three characters—Rai, Aya, and Kiko—who assist users as they navigate
through each locale. These components increase relatability and contribute to a more immersive experience.
With optimized graphics, simple controls, and a user-friendly design, Tropa Run runs smoothly on different
mobile devices, making it accessible to many users. Game testing showed very positive results, with an average
rating of 4.7 out of 5. Most users said they not only enjoyed the game but also learned more about the historical
sites featured. This demonstrates that Tropa Run can be enjoyable as well as informative, contributing to the
enhancement of cultural understanding and national identity among young people.