In a move as fitting as a time-travelling cyborg, the Terminator franchise has returned to its roots with Terminator 2D: No Fate. Developed by arcade specialists Bitmap Bureau and published by Reef Entertainment, this retro-inspired title aims to reset a broken future by revisiting the past. Available now on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox for £24.99, it stands as the most compelling interactive Terminator experience in recent memory.
A Blast from the Past
Much like the franchise's own battered T-800 endoskeleton, Terminator's video game legacy has persisted in a less-than-ideal state. While 2019's Terminator: Resistance offered a decent effort, the consensus is that a truly great game based on the property hasn't been seen for around 30 years. Terminator 2D: No Fate cleverly sidesteps modern pitfalls by channelling the aesthetics and playstyles of the 80s and 90s, the era of the series' cinematic heyday.
The game retells the story of Judgment Day but intriguingly begins years before the film's events. Players first control Sarah Connor during her early attempts to sabotage Cyberdyne, leading to her incarceration. These initial levels are a highlight, showcasing Bitmap Bureau's skill in translating Linda Hamilton's gritty determination into a pixel-art form and delivering varied, thrilling arcade action against outlaws and police.
When Straying from the Script Works Best
Paradoxically, No Fate is at its most inventive when it colours outside the lines of James Cameron's original film. The momentum continues into a future war segment, where an adult John Connor battles Skynet's forces in a nuclear-blasted Los Angeles. This section escalates the spectacle with laser weapons and epic boss fights, including a thrilling showdown against a flying Hunter-Killer, all rendered in a vibrant 16-bit style.
The game stumbles slightly when it hews too closely to iconic movie scenes. Chase sequences that directly replicate the film can feel constrained. However, creative interpretations like the beat 'em up bar fight and a stealth-based escape from Pescadero Hospital prove far more engaging, even if they leave you wanting more.
Replayability and Alternate Futures
True to its arcade heritage, Terminator 2D: No Fate is built for replay. Harder modes feature adjusted enemy placements, and completing the story unlocks new pathways exploring alternate futures based on Sarah Connor's choices. This design philosophy extends the game's life well beyond its initial playthrough.
While it may not revolutionise the genre, Terminator 2D: No Fate successfully winds back the clock for the franchise's gaming endeavours. It serves as a potent reminder that, beneath years of disappointing sequels and spin-offs, the core of Terminator still possesses the capacity for interactive greatness.
