Terminator 2D: No Fate is the next attempt at bringing the Terminator franchise to home-console gaming. Bitmap Bureau’s game is ambitious, but will it faithfully follow the blockbuster movie?
Several other Terminator games have tried and failed, but this unique side-scroller has all the makings of being a real hit for the franchise. Here’s what to expect from the Terminator 2D: No Fate’s plot, gameplay mechanics, graphics, and more.
What to Expect from Terminator 2D: No Fate
Iconic Movie Scenes Blended with Unique Storylines
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is considered one of the best action movies of all time. Many iconic moments take place in James Cameron’s 1991 classic, and Bitmap Bureau promises to recreate various scenes in its Terminator 2D: No Fate game.
In glorious 16-bit art style, memorable moments from the film, such as the Pescadero State Hospital escape and the Corral Bar incident, will be played out in the game. And, yes, the iconic truck chase through the Los Angeles Drainage Canal System will be a gameplay sequence.
To give the game a fresh feel, the developers are introducing new gameplay scenarios to play alongside the movie’s events. Terminator 2D: No Fate has multiple endings, making T2’s famous “there is no fate but what we make” line even more meaningful.
Classic Terminator Vibe
Bringing the classic Terminator vibe to gaming consoles will be no mean feat. Many developers have tried but ultimately failed over the years, but this game promises unmatched Terminator authenticity.
Terminator 2D: No Fate is essentially a “love letter” to one of the greatest movies ever made. Players can expect incredible voice acting, familiar Terminator music, and many original elements. Basically, this is the game that should have come alongside the movie in the 90s.
Will the Side-Scroller Hold Up in Today’s Gaming World?
The decision to make the game a 16-bit side-scroller was interesting, to say the least. In an age of blockbuster AAA titles releasing with stunning graphics in 4K and 120fps, some Terminator fans might have wanted something similar.
Still, the developers made the deliberate choice to use a retro style for the old-school feeling and to give off Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis vibes. This is certainly a game aimed at nostalgic Terminator fans.
Terminator 2D: No Fate is not trying to compete with the current blockbuster releases, which is why it should work. We have seen big-money Terminator games flop in the past, but No Fate has serious potential. The release delay is frustrating, but it should be worth the wait.
Play as Sarah, John & T-800
Getting the protagonists right was imperative, and the UK-based game developers have nailed it with Terminator 2D: No Fate. Players will take on the role of Sarah Connor, John Connor, and the T-800.
All characters will have unique traits and gameplay mechanics. Sarah is agile and reactive, while John, playable in “Future War” missions, will use strategic weapons like plasma rifles and pipe bombs.
Playing as T-800, who Arnold Schwarzenegger perfectly portrayed in the movies, is particularly exciting. The machine may be slower, but its durability and sheer power decimate enemies.
Iconic Enemies
The Terminator enemies are just as important as the protagonists, and seeing the T-1000 – arguably the greatest movie villain of all time – make an appearance will be special. The main antagonist will use its liquid metal abilities to make stabbing weapons and objects.
Alongside generic forces, players will go up against Hunter Killers and T-800s. Centurion, who appeared in the Terminator 2 pinball game, will serve as a giant boss, and there will be mid-bosses and other enemies to contend with.
Original Movie Weapons
Arnie’s Winchester Model 1887 shotgun remains one of the most recognisable weapons in movie history. The T-800 acquired the gun at the biker bar and carried it until reaching Enrica Salseda’s compound. Thankfully, you can use the shotgun in Terminator 2D: No Fate, among many other popular guns from the franchise.
Sarah’s primary shotgun, the Remington 870, is also in the game. The minigun will make an appearance alongside various other pistols and assault rifles. Weapon power-ups and upgrades are in the game, too.
How Will Bitmap Bureau’s Title Fare Against Previous Terminator Game Attempts?
Adapting hit movies into great games is tough, though there have been several Terminator 2 attempts over the years, with the first being released on the ZX Spectrum in 1991. Versions were also made for the Game Boy, NES, Sega Genesis, and Super NES.
Terminator games were released alongside the Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, and Terminator Genisys movies, all of which were deemed as failures.
While Terminator: Dark Fate had several gaming iterations, Terminator: Resistance, loosely based on the films, was the most recent. Some fans believe that Resistance is one of the best ever made.
Terminator 2: No Fate is expected to be right up there with the top Terminator games, faithfully recreating the popular movie while adding a unique spin on the story. While time will tell, there are indications that No Fate could become a significant success for the franchise.
