Video Game Preview: Terminator Salvation

Terminator Salvation, the fourth installment of the Terminator series, features stars the tantrum-throwing Christian Bale as John Connor as he and his human allies fight against the relentless robot armies of Skynet. This sci-fi post-apocalyptic war film set in 2018 is directed by McG and is slated for release in South Africa on June 5th, 2009. But enough about that, let’s talk the upcoming third-person shooter that will tie-in with the movie release.

Developed by Swedish game studio GRIN, Terminator Salvation will be a cover-based shooter whose story takes places two years prior to the film and shows the rise of John Connor through the soldier ranks to rightful place as the leader of the resistance. In that respect, the game’s story is an interquel (big words I eat them for breakfast!) that fits between Terminator 3 and the forthcoming Terminator Salvation movie.

The fight continues after the jump.

You’ll be playing as John Connor who doesn’t look nor sound like his namesake in the cinematic version. This is because Christian Bale refused to lend his voice and likeness for the game. Some of the movie’s characters will be voicing their game characters, but Bale was obviously an asshole about it. This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker but it would have been nice given that it is licensed tie-in. In any case, you’ll need to constantly move, flank, and use your squad mates to successfully crush wave upon wave of Skynet robots who’d like nothing better to squash humanity under their cold metal feet.

The firefights are 360-degrees and considering that the machines don’t need to take cover (they’re easily replaceable you know), they will regularly flank your position or lay heavy firepower to degrade the bits of rubble you’re cowering near. There will also be rail-on sections to break from the cover-based action, where you need to hop behind turrets in different vehicles and lay waste to pursuing machines. Speaking of, all the enemies from the movie make a transition to the game, including a few specially-designed ones.

Here’s a look at a gameplay montage:

Maybe it’s just me, but it sounds stirring and certainly looks promising. Terminator Salvation will be released on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. It’s due for release in South Africa on May 29th, 2009.

[Sources: Gametrailers.com | IGN | Wikipedia]

UPDATE: The reviews are out and it has received a lukewarm reception with scores ranging from a lowly 47% to a passable 63%. See them at IGN | Gamespot | Gametrailers.com.