Terminator 2D: No Fate is an upcoming side-scrolling shoot ’em up that looks like it has time-travelled from the Sega Genesis and is now demanding your clothes, your boots and your console.
Although it isn’t out until September of this year for Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PS4, PS5, PC and Switch, IGN got an exclusive gameplay walkthrough from Lead Designer Mike Tucker, providing us with some juicy details and a proper look at the gorgeous pixel graphics.
John Connor is the star of the show for the demo, ably blasting through robots with his trusty gun and a powerful pipe-bomb. But Tucker explains three characters will be available overall, with Sarah Connor handling the 1990s sections. She also has a gun, but tosses the pipe-bomb away in favour of hitting stuff and prefers sliding over rolling.
You’ll also get to play as the T-800.
Tucker namedrops a lot of inspirations for the game: Contra, Rolling Thunder, Shinobi, ESWAT, Elevator Action Returns, and Metal Slug.
It won’t all be run and gun apparently, as there will be some vehicle sections (he specifically mentions a storm-drain section, replicating the famous movie scene) as well as a beat ’em up section in the bar.
The demo also shows off some enemy types not seen in the movies. Tucker explains they’ve included the Centurion, which was previously only see on the side of the official Terminator 2 pinball machine.
Looking at the game, it isn’t doing anything new or bold for the genre, but that doesn’t matter – it’s a beautifully executed rendition of an iconic movie, and is playing up the retro vibes. I can’t wait to play it.