Terminator 2D: No Fate — A Nostalgic Hit with Mixed Reactions from Gamers

It’s been quite a while since gamers have seen new, quality titles based on the **Terminator** franchise on their screens. The talented team at **Bitmap Bureau** stepped in to remedy this by releasing **[Terminator 2D: No Fate](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1718460/Terminator_2D_NO_FATE/)** yesterday. According to player feedback, the game packs a strong nostalgic punch, though it has faced its share of criticism.

The game’s rating on Steam is quite strong, with **No Fate** currently holding 86% positive reviews at the time of writing. The peak online player count reached 1,073. Gamers seem to be split into two groups: those who are thrilled with the **Terminator 2** experience and those who find the game overly simplistic, brief, and overrated.

Many franchise enthusiasts regard **No Fate** as a true gem, praising its ability to evoke nostalgia for the classic films featuring the «Killer Cyborg.» The soundtrack, which includes remixes of iconic tracks, along with familiar scenes and story branching options, resonates with those who grew up watching iconic action films from the 80s and 90s.

Some players have replayed the game multiple times to discover different endings and experience new scenarios that unlock after the initial playthrough.

The sound design has received particular acclaim. The music from the original **Terminator** and the themed tracks in the menu transport players back to another era.

Fans also appreciate the story branching mechanics that allow players to alter the narrative and access additional levels. For some, this has been the primary source of enjoyment: while the game may seem short, it reveals new content, weapons, and endings upon repeat playthroughs.

On the flip side, many players expressed dissatisfaction with the gameplay. The main complaint centers on the brief playtime; a single run-through takes less than an hour, with the story mode able to be completed in 30-45 minutes. Despite the story branches and multiple endings, some in the audience feel that there is insufficient content for the asking price of 1,100 rubles or 7,600 tenge. A few even suggest watching a walkthrough on YouTube before deciding whether to buy.

Critics describe the gameplay as simplistic and outdated. They argue that the shooting mechanics boil down to basic «duck, shoot, duck» strategies, with enemy encounters being too straightforward and the game design reminiscent of those from older consoles.

Many draw comparisons to **[Contra](https://store.steampowered.com/app/23299/Contra/)**, noting that **No Fate** fails to introduce anything new—no innovative mechanics, no challenging platforming elements, and no in-depth combat system. Some levels can be completed in just 3-4 minutes, and by the time players reach the third mission, a sense of monotony begins to set in.

At the standard difficulty level, the game feels easy and is mainly suited for casual play. In more challenging modes, some players quickly found themselves dying and mentioned a lack of lives—while this enhances the nostalgic feeling of old games, it can also be frustrating. One part of the audience sees these limitations as a tribute to «old-school» gaming, while others perceive them as an artificial means of stretching gameplay.

Based on Steam reviews, if you’re a fan of the **Terminator** franchise, nostalgic for classic console platformers, and can overlook the short length of **Terminator 2D: No Fate**, you are likely to enjoy the game. However, if you’re looking for a modern 2D action experience with complex gameplay and ample content, the game may leave you feeling underwhelmed and not justify the investment.

You can indulge in nostalgia with **Terminator 2D: No Fate** on PC ([Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1718460/Terminator_2D_NO_FATE/), [Epic Games Store](https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/terminator-2d-no-fate-e2e134)), Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, featuring a text translation into Russian. Until December 19, there is a 10% discount on the game in the **Valve** store.