Preview: Terminator: Salvation (360)

Nowadays such games can be enabled to create alternate stories that play alongside the action of the movie (see Wanted: Weapons of Fate and Watchmen: The End is Nigh). Terminator Salvation follows this trend. 

Set two years before the events of the movie, John Connor must lead the charge against the unstoppable force of Skynet and all their robotic creations. Some from the films, others created solely for the game. And yes, the T-1000 has been confirmed though whether it will take on the appearance of Robert Patrick is still unconfirmed, but the fanboy inside us is hopeful. Making it fit right in will be the voice cast of actors. Moon Bloodgood, hip-hop artist Common and Rose McGowan all reprise their roles they play in the film. Christian Bale  hasn’t lent his likeness, which is a bit of a blow considering he’s the main character, his voice we guess also won’t appear. Let’s just hope for a decent impression.

While some of the previous Terminator games have been first person, this is a third person experience and as everyone whose played one in the past years will know that a cover mechanic is all important. The advanced cover system allows players to use the destructible environment as protection and strategically navigate through enemy entrenched territory. It sounds like a decent attempt, though we won’t know for sure until we get our hands on the game. The destructible nature of the environments certainly sound interesting and could lend itself to some epic fire fights.

“Terminator Salvation – The Videogame allows players to battle for survival against Skynet enemies utilizing an incredibly fluid and realistic control set,” said Cos Lazouras, President of Halcyon Games. “The player will be led through a visceral story with extremely polished production values to create a fully interactive Terminator experience.”

Warner Bros are definitely banking on the game to stand alongside the movie. “Building on the incredibly strong franchise, Terminator Salvation – The Videogame will be a cinematic gaming experience that complements the upcoming film,” said John Quinn, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Working with Halcyon and Equity Games, we will expand on the Terminator universe on next generation consoles with action packed gameplay and detailed environments.” The action packed gameplay also supporting co-op as well as a few surprises along the way, including a freeway chase.

Movie licenses have come a long way since they were considered cheap cash-ins, and while some still fit into that category Terminator: Salvation is definitely looking promising. Out in a months time it’s quickly managed to jump onto our radar. We now can’t wait to shoot up some Terminators while telling them to “get the **** off the set“.

Words by Adam Gulliver