Forget the Sequels — Terminator: Resistance Is the Real Terminator 3

The Terminator franchise is a wild ride. From the groundbreaking first two films, to a handful of sequels, shows, and video games, it feels like creators have been chasing the magic James Cameron captured in the ’80s and early ’90s ever since. And more often than not, that magic slips through their fingers. That’s why when I booted up Terminator: Resistance, I didn’t expect much. I figured it would be another forgettable tie-in. But what I actually found was a game that, while not perfect, came a lot closer to capturing the spirit of The Terminator and T2 than I ever expected. And there was a pretty fun gameplay experience to go along with it.

You play as Jacob Rivers, a Resistance private caught up in the war against Skynet. The setup feels authentic to the source material: humanity on its last legs, scavenging for scraps, trying to organize a final push against the machines. Along the way, you’ll meet survivors and fellow fighters whose stories feel surprisingly grounded. Some choices you make can affect their fates, which gave my decisions more weight than I expected. And then there’s the mysterious Stranger, who pops up to help Jacob in key moments. Who he is, and why he’s invested in you is a thread that pulls you along, and by the end, the story ties into the first two films in a way that put a big smile on my face.

Now, if you’re picturing Call of Duty with Terminators, pump the brakes. Resistance is slower and more deliberate. Combat is tense because health doesn’t regenerate. You’ll rely on med kits, which makes charging headfirst into every fight a quick way to end up in a game over screen. Ammo and resources are scarce too, so scavenging becomes a big part of the experience. I actually loved this aspect, it gave the world that “post-apocalypse” feel, where every bullet matters and every corner might hide something valuable. There’s a satisfying balance between firefights, exploration, and story moments. The game also features some side missions that you can partake in, usually for the benefit of one of your allies. While these side quests aren't really all that interesting and sometimes don't really yield any groundbreaking rewards, they are a great way to get more experience and resources. I wouldn't call them filler, but they toe the line.

Graphically, the game is a mixed bag. The machines look fantastic, specifically the Terminators. When you see a T-800 up close, it’s like it walked straight out of the movies. The sound design and music back that up too; during one stealth sequence where you’re sneaking through a building full of Terminators with no way to defend yourself, the tension was palpable, and the soundtrack nailed that iconic Terminator vibe. The human characters, on the other hand, are less impressive. Some main characters like Jennifer and Commander Baron are done well enough, but others look a bit generic. Still, for a mid-budget game, I thought it looked pretty good overall.

What struck me most about Terminator: Resistance is how much love the developers clearly had for the source material. It doesn’t feel like a quick cash-in, it feels like a team that really wanted to deliver something fans of the original films would appreciate. The atmosphere, the music, the way it builds toward The Terminator timeline, it all comes together in a way that works. I genuinely felt like I was part of the world James Cameron was trying to create, and oftentimes I found myself wishing this game was the third movie in the series given where the narrative ultimately goes. I was pretty satisfied when the credits rolled and felt myself back in those moments when I was younger and experiencing this world for the very first time.

If you’re into first-person shooters, there’s plenty here to enjoy. But if you’re a fan of The Terminator or T2, I think you’ll get an extra layer of appreciation out of it. It may not have the budget of a big AAA release, but sometimes that works in a game’s favor. For me, Terminator: Resistance wasn’t just a fun FPS, it felt like a heartfelt love letter to two of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made. And in the end, that’s what makes Resistance so memorable: it’s a game about survival, choice, and shaping your own path. Or, as Sarah Connor once said, “There’s no fate but what we make for ourselves.