Terminator 2D: NO FATE Reviews
If you are the type that might have bought a Terminator 2 game back in the 1990s when it was something of a cultural institution, and as long as you stick to the regular difficulty modes you’ll enough to entertain you here. Otherwise, though, this is going to be a bit niche for everyone else.
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Review in Russian | Read full review
Terminator 2D: No Fate delivers great visuals, sound, and fun gameplay, but its extremely short length undermines the experience. With multiple playthroughs possible in under two hours, the '30 price feels hard to justify, especially given the lack of gameplay variety.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Thanks to its retro-styled visuals and old-fashioned gameplay, Terminator 2D: No Fate genuinely feels like a blast from the past, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. While it's rather short and it's disappointing that there's no voice acting, it perfectly captures the essence of the classic film and remains fun to play throughout.
Terminator 2D: No Fate is a great tribute to Cameron's film and universe. Many iconic characters, various genres, and game modes come together to ensure the best way to experience firsthand this or that moment from Terminator 2. It may not delve too deeply into each genre, and the experience may fall short for those unfamiliar with the film, but old-timers and fans of the T-800 and the Connors' struggle will have plenty of reasons to enjoy it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If Terminator 2D: NO FATE released back in the day, it would have been a huge step up from the light gun games but it still wouldn't manage to reach the heights of run 'n' gun classics and considering this was made decades later, why even bother? 🤖
Terminator 2D: NO FATE is a masterclass in film-to-video game adaptation. It also feels like something a frighteningly clever machine would devise in order to push every single one of my ‘childhood delight’ buttons. It’s easily one of my favorite games of the year and I’d argue one of the best licensed games ever on top of that. Maybe just keep your eyes peeled for any discount on it.
While the whole thing is a blast to play, it’s an extremely short game, with a high-score table, branching narrative and harder difficulty settings offering at least some replay value.
Terminator 2D: NO FATE is an exceptional love letter to James Cameron's iconic film, masterfully blending authentic arcade action with gorgeous 16-bit pixel art. Bitmap Bureau delivers varied gameplay across multiple modes, faithful recreation of T2's most memorable scenes, and smart expansions to the movie's lore. Playing as Sarah Connor, T-800, or John Connor through meticulously crafted missions feels like experiencing the film through a new lens. With scalable difficulty, multiple endings, and perfect Steam Deck performance, this is the Terminator game fans have waited decades for – a true celebration of the franchise that finally does justice to the source material.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Outside of that minor T-800 complaint and the difficulty spike, No Fate is just an excellent experience that respects your time, doesn't overstay its welcome, and is lovingly crafted for fans of both the Terminator movies and run-and-gun action platformers. Since beating the game, I've often found myself returning for just one more run, whether it's to try and get a higher grade at the end of a level or to make different decisions in the brisk Story Mode.
Terminator 2D: NO FATE has stunning 16-bit visuals, a banger soundtrack, and simple yet fun gameplay that makes it one of the better games in the franchise in showcasing how good the franchise is. However, the extremely short runtime and conditional replayability make it an experience that doesn’t match the price it’s asking for.
An interesting game that pays tribute to the original film and delivers a solid retro vibe. It’s a shame it’s so short and doesn’t give you many reasons to say, "I’ll be back."
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Terminator 2D: No Fate represents a good proof of maturity on the part of Bitmap Bureau, not new to titles that recall the 90s arcade atmosphere. The care in the precise reconstruction of the scenes, the soundtrack and the pixel art are of great quality. The work on the feeling and gameplay is notable, making it breathe the air of the arcade rooms of the past. The mechanics themselves are a curse and a delight for the title because they reflect those years exactly, with their merits but also their defects. There is “dirt” and imprecision on some platforming phases but they do not compromise the gaming experience. The title is precisely a trial and error that rewards the player who learns the level and positioning of the enemies. The same goes for the boss fights: inspired and rewarding positioning and memorizing enemy patterns. In conclusion, Terminator 2D: No Fate is a valid product. It is suitable not only for those who loved the films, but also for those looking for an arcade classic that works, is challenging and is fun to play.
If Terminator 2D: No Fate’s prime objective was to release into the world a game worthy of the legendary Terminator 2: Judgement Day in the style of the games out at the time the film was popular, then the mission was an absolute success. Terminator 2D: No Fate joins Terminator Resistance as games worthy of the first two films in the franchise. While it’s lacking a little too much Arnie and may not have the runtime some would want, I couldn’t have been happier with the title. Despite having finished it at least half a dozen times now, I still find myself being sent back in time and trying to stop Skynet over and over again
Terminator 2D: NO FATE is a love letter to James Cameron’s film and to classic run & gun arcade games. A title that proves how, even by looking back, it’s still possible to move forward.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Terminator 2D: No Fate is a sincere, passionate project that pays surprising respect to the cinematic legacy it draws from. It doesn’t try to reinvent the genre, instead embracing its retro spirit with a compact experience full of references, playful variations, and nostalgic charm. Despite some structural limits, Bitmap Bureau’s clear love for the original shines through. For fans of Judgment Day or anyone craving a well‑crafted old‑school action game, this pixel‑art tribute offers a short but genuinely enjoyable trip into the myth of the T‑800.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Strong presentation and tough gameplay make this Terminator 2 tribute shine, but Terminator 2D: No Fate’s brief runtime and sparse extras disappoint.
Despite its short length, Terminator 2D: NO FATE is an excellent retro shooter that emulates the '90s gameplay so faithfully that it doesn’t really introduce any particularly fresh ideas of its own. However, as a cultural piece of art, Bitmap Bureau’s latest work is such a spot-on achievement that its minor shortcomings hardly detract from the experience at all.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Terminator 2D: NO FATE stands out as a solid option for players craving a retro-style shooter experience. The game clearly shows respect for its source material, supported by stylish animations and an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere. However, its relatively short length and gameplay that becomes repetitive over time prevent it from fully delivering on its potential.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Terminator 2D: No Fate is uncompromisingly retro, for better and for worse. It doesn’t just borrow the aesthetics of 90s action games — it fully commits to their structure, their difficulty, and their occasional rough edges. If that style clicks with you, there’s a lot to love here: tight level design, a genuine affection for T2, and enough challenge to keep repeat runs engaging. If it doesn’t, the stiffness and repetition will quickly wear thin.