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Platform Filters:   All Platforms  Xbox   GameCube   PlayStation 2   PC   Game Boy Advance   Site Sections:   Updates  News   Games   Publishers   Developers   Reviews   Previews   Release Dates   Editorials   Glossary   Contact Us		Review:       20th January 2004: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines  Will the Terminator franchise ever get a good game? Read on to see... Posted by Chris Barnett - PlayStation 2,Xbox,PC - UK and Europe That advertising detail is very true for Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, the press behind it actually makes claims that are based upon such tiny features that the lawyers must require microscopes to decide that they are actually in the game at all (they are just 'latched on' to boost the game's content). But without being too harsh on it from the start, it does capture the whole story of the film, which is a good point, as we rather like the Terminator films. The game is a First Person shooter primarily, although there is a tiny bit of gunning from the back of a truck (which allows the press behind the game to claim that you get to drive a vehicle) and a fighting section that crops up at irrelevant times (when you expect something much more action packed). But that is no bad point, as we happen to believe that playing a game through the eyes of Arnie's terminator is the ideal angle for a terminator game. Sure, in certain games you want to see your character, but since the Terminator films actually make a point of occasionally showing the Heads Up Display of the terminator it is suitable that you get to see this for a whole game. And it is an impressive direction, probably the best feature of the game - the ability to see the on screen synopsis of the environment with a red hue as in the films. The rest of the First Person experience is the same as in any other First Person game, but the inclusion of this feature does remind you of the essence of the movies. The presentation is really the only outstanding thing about this game though, and that shows by how impressive the little presentation elements are. The cut scenes, the voice overs (by cast members no less) and the unlockable pictures and movie clips are certainly the only thing that this game has going for it as it is so lacking in all other areas. We would like to say that it is average, but it is below that really, in most areas. The first major problem lies with the way that it manipulates the plot of the movie to suit itself. Instead of missing out sections of the plot, it adds a whole scenario at the start that is based in the future, before the events of the film (before the terminator is sent back to protect John Connor). This section gives the game an excuse to throw loads of terminators at you, as well as tanks and planes. These all seem to have the same standard armour as each can be destroyed with the same weapons (so a little gun is just as effective on a plane as it is on a terminator) and the same standard explosion animation is shown everytime an object is destroyed (unforgivable considering the quality of the explosions in the movies). When you finally get into the true story of the game (by the use of very impressive cut scenes) you realise that it has little more to offer than mindless blasting. And the term mindless is not being used lightly here as the auto aim removes any potential for thought. The auto aim is actually so tight that is makes certain situations impossible at a given moment. One such example was when we tried to fire on a distant enemy with the foreground dominated by terminators, the auto aim would not allow us to aim past them, causing a waste of ammo whilst the distant enemy fired on us with ease. And with ammo being difficult to come by at the best of times, it is very annoying to waste it without being to blame for the waste. The glaring fault with this game really is the inclusion of the fighting section (already hinted on) that is not needed at all. For these sections you maintain your role as Arnie's terminator but move to a side on view in order to tackle an individual enemy. The enemy is usually another terminator of some description (from standard terminators, edo-skeletons and the T-X later on), which gets rather repetitive after a while, especially as the controls of kick, punch, and block limit the strategy somewhat. These sections are also ill placed. In the film there is a great section where the two terminators take place in a vehicle chase involving a crane, smashing several thousand pounds worth of buildings and vehicles. Instead of getting the full excitement of the chase in the game you are simply put into a fight with the T-X above a crane. Wow! The best scene of the movie becomes a tedious side on fight that you will have seen so many times before (not just in this game, but in several hundred others). This is a great shame considering what could have been. So to look on this, as a failure may be a little harsh as it does capture the feel of the film in parts, especially in the cut scenes and sound effects (in this PlayStation 2 version you get DTS sound which is really quite impressive). The graphics are never outstanding, but they are certainly not poor when compared with similar shooters. To anyone who is not a die-hard Terminator fan this is probably best avoided, but if you do like the films, especially if you like the third one; this should be entertaining whilst it lasts. But having said that; it did only take us about 4 hours to complete and we did so in our first play through (we did not even need to resume a save!). There are unlockable extras that you gain to get you back a few times, but only fans would want these, so they are not really a selling point. Chris Barnett             Latest Images:		Review Scores:    Graphics:   Sound:   Gameplay:   Length:   Overall: Click here for our Review Score Guidelines.  Review Summary:  For fans only, and only die-hard fans at that. Despite this, it does show how presentation can still shine through in any game.  Related Games:  Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines for PlayStation 2  6  Screenshots  1  Review Click here for All Game Information.
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