Some 35 years after experiencing an overwhelming sense of mild disappointment thanks to Ocean Software’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day on the ZX Spectrum 128K, I get to tell you a new video game adaptation of James Cameron’s movie hit is coming this September. But despite the furious march of technology, this one’s also going to be 2D.
Terminator 2D: No Fate is the work of developer Bitmap Bureau – the studio behind the likes of Xeno Crisis and 88 Heroes – and it’s looking to deliver some good old-fashioned arcade-style side-scrolling action inspired by “iconic scenes from Terminator 2” and “original scenarios”.
Its obvious selling point is its rather strikingly animated pixel art, but – as per Terminator 2D’s announcement trailer – it’s also got a bit where you get to wander around a bar as the T-800, smashing up baddies while unabashedly in the nude. As it happens though, the T-800 (nude or otherwise) is just one of several characters you can play as in Terminator 2D.
Bitmap Bureau say the T-800 has been designed to emphasise his weight and power, with moves including a devastating shoulder barge. And while he’s slower than Terminator 2D’s other playable characters – Sarah Conner and John Connor – he also has high durability. As for Sarah, she’s agile and reactive, excelling at melee combat with a sliding attack. However, she can also deploy her laser sight, locking her in place but significantly boosting damage.
John Connor, meanwhile, will be playable as an adult during the game’s Future War missions. He’s not as agile as Sarah, but can evade attacks with a tactical roll, and also emphasises mid-to-long-range combat, with a plasma rifle, pipe bombs, and three ammo types. And, of course, the iconic T-1000 is back as the game’s main adversary – liquid metal abilities included.
Terminator 2D: No Fate – which also includes multiple endings, leaving players to decide humanity’s future – launches for PlayStation 5, Playstation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC (via Steam and Epic) on 5th September.
