The Terminator Longplay (Sega CD) [QHD]

Game Info
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Developer: Virgin Games
Publisher: Virgin Games
Year of Release: 1993

Game Review & Impressions
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The original cartridge release of The Terminator by Probe Software was, quite frankly, something of a let-down. Despite some decent visuals, the game was way too short, and failed to capture the essence of James Cameron's sci-fi classic; I longplayed this version a while back and wasn't particularly impressed.

With the advent of the Sega CD add-on for the Genesis, Virgin Games turned its attention back to The Terminator once more. Some of the design team from the original release got to have a second crack of the whip, overhauling the lacklustre cartridge release with more levels, upgraded gameplay, new artwork, plus a full CD soundtrack that includes the original move intro theme, as well as original compositions from Tommy Tallarico. There's even some grainy FMV clips of the original movie which, for 1993, would have been really exciting to see on a game console.

And, surprisingly, the developers did a really good job. The CD version turned out to be a big improvement over Probe's original version. It's still a standard run-and-gun platformer, but the shooting and combat is satisfying, especially in the early levels with Reese assaulting the main Skynet command centre with a auto-rifle and cannister bombs. You'll get to smash plenty of T-800 units, both camouflaged and in bare exoskeleton form, down deadly Hunter-Killers, and there's even an appearance of what could be the T-1 Battlefield Robot, which didn't make its movie debut until Terminator 3.

The "War Against the Machines" section of the game culminates in a battle with a fairly nasty exoskeleton unit. Defeating this boss sees Reese activate the time displacement device, catapulting himself back in time to 1984 in a bid to locate and protect Sarah Connor from the T-800, which makes up the second half of the game. These levels are largely "redux" versions of those found in the original cartridge version, although the layouts are completely different, and are generally longer, too.

Unfortunately, these levels suffer from the same core issue as the Probe version in that Kyle's primary adversaries in these "Present Day" levels are random street punks. Don't get me wrong; these are still fun to play, but the actual Terminator -- the real villain -- makes only a couple of scant appearances throughout these levels, and doesn't really look particularly imposing or threatening. The game would have been so much better if Virgin had stuck with the Future War levels and ditched the film's plot entirely.

The game's soundtrack is also something worthy of discussion, because like the levels, there's quite a disparity between the future and present day levels. Fighting across the ruined cityscapes of Los Angeles in 2029 accompanied by squealing electric guitars and retro synths is undeniably cool and great while it lasts; it's definitely the high point of the game. The levels set in 1985, however, are weirdly upbeat collection of power ballads that I guess are trying to mimic the sound of the period, but fall shot of the mark. The techno-esque track playing during the shootout in club Tech Noir is equally out of place, sounding more like a 90s rave than anything else. The music during the Terminator's assault on the police precinct deserves a special mention, sounding way too cheery and uplifting for what was one of the darkest and most brutal parts of the movie.

The Terminator on Sega CD is, for the most part, a thoroughly decent platform shooter. If you can overlook some of the weirdness in the latter part of the game, this is a title well worth checking out.

Information & Trivia
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Video Notes
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Related Longplays & Videos
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The Terminator (Sega Genesis):    • The Terminator Longplay (Sega Genesis...  
The Terminator (C64):    • Terminator 2: Judgement Day Longplay ...  
T2: The Arcade Game (Arcade):    • Terminator 2: Judgement Day Longplay ...  
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (Amiga):    • Terminator 2: Judgement Day Longplay ...  

Chapters
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00:00 Intro
02:10 Stage 1
07:03 Stage 2
10:14 Stage 3
15:21 Stage 4
20:11 Stage 5
25:48 Stage 6
30:47 Stage 7
34:14 Stage 8
38:31 Stage 9
43:43 Stage 10
48:35 Ending

#theterminator
#sega
#retrogaming