TERMINATOR: RESISTANCE
We now know why it is you cry
Listen, and understand. The Terminator franchise is out there. It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. Even James Cameron doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are beaten into submission and accept they’ll keep making more of this stuff…
With Terminator: Resistance the developer only has the rights to make a game based on The Terminator and T2. As Teyon’s opted to tell a prequel set in post-apocalyptic 2028 Los Angeles, just prior to Kyle Reese jumping back in time, that means we at least get to shoot it out in the films’ iconic future war. Playing as resistance soldier Jacob Rivers we’re trying to find John Connor’s unit and warn him of the new Arnold-model T-800s.
Terminator: Resistance flirts with various ideas, including skill-levelling, weapon mods, and a Frogger-inspired hacking minigame, as well as stealth missions in the small sandbox maps and traditional linear
Call Of Duty shootouts. It’s the stealth that stands out, enabling us to feel immersed in a detailed, albeit PS3-quality, Terminator fiction. But no matter the fan service this shooter can’t escape its budget.
There’s a lot of asset re-use, and some maps are repeated under the pretence of new objectives. There are only half a dozen enemies to fight, likely a result of the time-capsule licence, and they’re all about as menacing as a toaster. T-800s simply stumble at you soaking up bullets. Those skill upgrades that could have lifted the game are limited and they can all be unlocked on one playthrough, negating any need to focus on one of the classes.
OUT OF TIME
Dialogue choices with the survivors we meet offer a degree of redemption, and affect the outcome of the story. And yet, as with everything in the game even this feels rather laboured and the consequences signposted.
Whether its the licence or the quality, this is a game five years out of time – there are even two cheesy sex scenes to the ‘emotional’ Terminator synth soundtrack. As my onscreen lover moans and groans I feel embarrassed. For a series built around time travel, it’s apt this game feels so dated.