The Terminator: SkyNET

"One of the First true 3D FPSes"

SkyNET is one of few Terminator PC games, and is the sequel to Future Shock. The game had received few reviews, but many were such as ''#1 Action Game of the Year!'' While I do not agree with that statement, this game is overlooked and should be given a try if you're willing to take in account it's 4 years of age. Also, there are some pretty FMVs, but don't expect much, as the FMVs occur in a briefing room most of the time, and the dialogue is very uninspired. However, the video quality for it's time was excellent, and probably put some people at awe.

Graphics

7/10

For it's time, the graphics are wonderful. It even has a 640 x 480 resolution so you can play it hi-res. The explosions and items are still sprites, but to have actual 3d enemies and player models in an FPS was amazing. The graphics were powered by XnGine, a 3d high-res graphics system. And it does it's job well, especially for the time the game was released. This is a huge leap above the graphics of Hexen, Heretic, Doom, Wolfenstein, and other shooters where only the landscape was 3d. Overall SkyNET does a great job in the graphics department, and does not look entirely bad compared to modern games. However, to make sure you are not disappointed, I am giving the game a 7/10 in the graphics area, so don't expect much.

Gameplay

9/10

This is where the game beats many old shooters and even some new ones. The highlight of gameplay is the vehicles. The game lets you drive a Jeep with maneuverable turret, and the vechile can actually roll over and has pretty good mechanics for the time. There are also the HK's, the helicopters of the future that can actually fly quite well and have realistic physics. These vechiles make for a very fun experience, but the game is not at loss without them. The weapons are very interesting, with the introduction of molotov cocktails and guns with laser screens that help you snipe out enemies. While the laser screens are not as helpful as an actual scope, they are very cool and fun to use. The game actual requires some amount of thinking to get from place to place, but the puzzles are not too advanced and are even beat by the simple and repeated puzzles of Jedi Knight. Another great feature of Gameplay is the LAN/Internet multiplay. There are a lot of character skins to choose from, although some are uninspired. But one of the neat features is picking a Terminator, who's view is tinted red and filled with statistics. Multiplayer also lets you use HK's and Jeeps, so you and your friend can have fun trying to shoot each other's vechiles down.

Replay Value

7/10

The singleplayer is really long, and you might have some trouble finishing it. There is also three different kinds of difficulties. However, as fun as the game is, there is not much variety in some of the levels, and you might not feel compelled to even beat the game. But luckily, multiplayer jumps in and saves the day, and infinite fun can be created by you and several friends.

Overall

8/10

This game deserves a 7/10 by today's standards, and an 9/10 by its time's standards. However, both grades must be averaged into a healthy 8/10. There is no way you can rent this game, and you probably won't find it either. If you do find it at a store, the chances are it won't be higher than 10 dollars, and usually doesn't even get that high. In those cases the game is very much worth it, and you will get what you need out of it. I would not recommend taking trouble with ordering the game online unless it was cheap, because it's not worth the money people sometimes charge. Still, it's a very great game that should be played if you get the chance.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/05/02, Updated 06/07/03