Terminator: Resistance

Terminator: Resistance is a first-person shooter set in the post-apocalyptic future Los Angeles of the Terminator films. Developed by Teyon and published by Reef Entertainment for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in 2019, the game received a next-generation update for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series in April 2021 and October 2023 respectively. Fans of the Terminator franchise will find a lot to love here – desolate landscapes and ruined cityscapes sell the post-apocalyptic grime of a war-torn future, the iconic T-800s are every bit as menacing as it was on screen in the 1984 film, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack perfectly complements Brad Fiedel's original score.

Stepping into the shoes of a Resistance soldier, players take on missions to rescue allies or slow down the ever-evolving and nearly unbeatable onslaught of Skynet machines. Throughout a playthrough, the player can forge alliances with NPCs and make decisions that ripple through the narrative, influencing the fate of certain characters and shaping the game's multiple endings. However, Terminator: Resistance (regardless of whether you’re playing the original release or the next-gen update) is a bit rough around the edges with gameplay and a story that doesn't quite measure up to its namesake. The shooting mechanics and enemy AI feel dated, stuck in a bygone era more akin to a first-person shooter from the PlayStation 2. Firefights, while visually entertaining, are repetitive with enemies who are easily outsmarted, outgunned, and outmatched. As a game that seeks to pit the player against a nearly unstoppable AI that has almost exterminated humanity, the enemies in the game are dumb, one-dimensional, and hardly pose a challenge after a certain point. Environments, while decently rendered, are often bland and lack originality. Every mission takes place in an area devoid of life, with a gray, drab backdrop of destroyed buildings and eroding landscapes. While this is expected, given the setting, it doesn’t excuse the amount of reused assets and textures littered across every map. The story itself, while boasting some intriguing twists on the established lore, fails to capture the same level of depth and emotional weight as the James Cameron films. The alliances made throughout the story culminate in a few decisions that determine whether your friends live or die and the multiple endings are really only two that decide what cutscene you watch. Overall, the story's conclusion is fine but anticlimactic and predictable. It doesn’t evoke any emotion whatsoever and just left me to shrug, listen to the Platinum Trophy pop, and watch the credits roll.

So, is Terminator: Resistance worth playing? It depends on what you're looking for. If you crave a Terminator experience and don't mind some B-movie jank, you'll find some fun here blasting Terminators and soaking up the atmosphere in a decent but unpolished game. But if you're looking for a top-tier shooter with innovative gameplay, you might want to steer clear of Skynet and John Connor’s time-traveling shenanigans.

Overall, Terminator: Resistance is a mixed bag. It delivers a faithful recreation of the Terminator universe's atmosphere and has a great soundtrack. However, its derivative shooting mechanics, uninspired enemy AI, and lackluster, predictable story hold it back from greatness. Ultimately, whether you enjoy the experience hinges on your expectations. If you prioritize having a decent Terminator-inspired experience over cutting-edge gameplay, then this might be the game for you, and you’ll find as much enjoyment here as I did.