Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (I) (2003 Video Game) User Reviews

Not excellent

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 5/10 · 27 February 2010]

This is a review of War of the Machines(which appears to be the version of this released for the PC), an attempt to emulate the Battlefield style. I can't get enough of the original 1984 film, and I appreciate the direct follow-up as rather well-done. Other than the fact that this draws a lot of its inspiration from the insipid parody that T3 was, I(and people who share my passion for the first two) *am* the intended audience for this. Where to begin? This is a shining example of how licensed games are usually poor. Like Enter the Matrix, this came out in 2003, was rushed(and can't hide it) and was purely made to appeal to the already large fan-base by reminding us of what we already loved about the franchises(trust me, neither will attract anyone new). Also, their releases coincided with when a lousy movie of the series did. The graphics were dated even when this came out, with FX that won't astonish anyone. None of the relatively few animations are particularly attractive or natural, and the physics are lousy, not to mention nearly non-existent(anyone that dies, save for those that explode, simply falls over, like a mannequin). The vehicles(no, really, there's more than one, they're just all nearly the same) handle decently at best, and do not let them near a wall, or it's likely to stick and you'll have to proceed on foot. You can run over anything bi-pedal, whether they consist mainly of water or, you know, *metal*. That's part of the logic problem in this. Why are they so affected by bullets? Who the hell brings a Desert Eagle to war? I know it's powerful, but it's also really inaccurate. The 50 caliber sniper is perhaps a reasonably realistic addition, something like that could *maybe* put a dent in them. If this had been guerrilla combat for the resistance, it would have been interesting, maybe downright spectacular(and made sense). Instead, it's essentially Call of Duty, with one side being grey-skinned(don't get me started on the skeletons of T800's being foot-soldiers, and yes, I hated it in the 1991 flick, too; audiences loved that image, so it was multiplied, whether or not it made any sense). Oh, and walking *a lot* slower. This is especially noticeable because the levels, if nicely enough designed, are *huge* and often labyrinthine. It will take an eternity to get to where you're going(and you may be gunned down on the way or the moment you get there), Terminator vision can be tough on the eyes when exposed to it for prolonged periods(it can be turned off, though), and you will tire of hearing the treading almost immediately. That's another thing, the audio is unimpressive, and it lacks grandeur. The music is alright. Voice acting is devoid of emotion. Yes, Ahnuld recorded a couple... half of them don't match what he's meant to say(they're lines from the trilogy), however, the performance is fine. Uh-huh... you can play as him, and that's not bad. The honor is reserved for the person who's scoring the highest on the human side in Termination(=stupid name for Domination). That's one of the three modes, the other 2 being TDM and Mission(take a specific area, destroy something, defend it or stay a certain place for 15 seconds, then return to the main base, that's it, any of them will ask you to do a defined one of the aforementioned, and it can be pretty clumsy... Unreal Tournament this ain't). Yeah. That's it. And there are only 12 locations(and not all are unique, a couple are doubled, so there's one for either of the periods), at least they all work for all the ways of playing(and no, that's actually not a good idea, what works well in one winds up the Achille's heel of another). Yes, you can play in Present and Future, and that affects the weapons available. Only "now" can the T1 be driven, and it's probably the one thing in this that truly turns the scales. Yes, it has limited ammo(it can load back up in the right places, like you-know-who's grave), that doesn't change the fact that it's strong and tough to take out... you can mow down half a dozen men and live. The FK *needs* mention, it is a lot of fun to fly, and it is very responsive, with strafing, ascending, descending, you can go in any direction that isn't blocked. Everything looks, sounds, and, largely, behaves, right. They put things in from all the cinematic efforts, and they do nail stuff, like the proximity grenade that has the handle that requires twisting to arm it, the massive tank that fires blasts of energy, and the airborne HK's that will pass overhead every so often, that may unload a barrage upon the ground(and they can be shot, and you will see them explode!), and this is where the VG is awesome. This does do great on the atmosphere, the dystopian setting with ruins of familiar buildings, a darkened sky and the disused police squad car that's merely sufficiently fixed up to get the job done, those are perfect. The classes are varied enough, and they're all there, with support, scout, heavy and regular, for both sides(who also each have one unit that can scan the amount of health of anyone within visible range, unless they're very far away). Tech-Com have access to a broader arsenal, and they can use ones that are fast and weak. The AI is daft if not entirely inept. There are commands, funny how there's always one bot on your team that declines the ones you issue, and they clearly all defy them. The TC ones have a nasty habit of suicide and team-mate-killing; this seems to happen most when you're playing as one of them(hm...). There are other glitches/bugs. There is mild, bloodless and never gory violence in this. I recommend this to those who want this experience(in this universe) that can ignore its many faults. 5/10

The same model format as T2 on the SMD

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 7 December 2003]

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

As The Terminator,you must race down alleyways in a compound under attack from armies sent by Skynet.You must try to preserve your ammo and grenades for priorities only,so as not to risk running out of them.

This is a slick,stylish,well-made game,with impressive enough graphics and game play visuals.It would be nice if targeting the people you are supposed to be firing at was a little easier,although,as frustrating as this can be,it does make it all the more rewarding when you do hit them.Another downer is,as said,the very limited amount of gunfire and grenades you are allotted and the inability to reload in any way.When you have run out,the only available alternative is to wave your fists at all the gun toting robots and machines that are firing powerful gunfire in your direction?!?

Having said that,when you're on a winning streak with it,it is a very thrilling and rewarding game,and certainly beats the inferior movie it is based on.

Well,it's on my christmas list,that's for sure.****

What the last guy said, waaaay off.

[Gunmaster45 · 4/10 · 2 October 2006]

This game in my opinion is a messy pile of crap. Bad graphics, bad lock on system, inaccuracy on weaponry, and annoying levels were you can have trouble figuring the game out. The A.I is bad. They do the same thing every time. And the 3rd person fights in this game are more a manner of luck. You pull of a grab, so does the other fighter. You almost always finish near dead. When I played in the future I kept saying that I'll soon be in the present with real guns. But all the real guns don't work right. (Or look right) All the guns fire slow in present, the sights on them were guessed, and the 30 cal looks like a future gun. This game had a few okay parts but this isn't a fun game. The only enjoyable part is the T:Redemption demo, but just buy the real game. I'd give the demo a 7/10. If you see this game in a store, stand in front of it tell tell others to look away. Wear a big sign.

Weird game, but alright

[Chances911 · 17 November 2003]

This game can be fun at points I mean being Arnold, blowing up a lot of stuff, shooting down those planes that were in the movie, actually challenges you it's a difficult game, and some other things. These are the things that I don't really like about the game it gets frustrating when you die and you have to start the whole level over again, sometimes the objectives aren't that clear of what they want you to do, and I wish it was alittle longer. Overall ** and a half **** only because of not knowing all of what to do everything else is pretty good.

Better than I thought

[BinaryCode1001 · 20 March 2004]

I've seen a review for this game in Game Informer Magazine, and saw that they gave this game an unearthly 5.75/10 score, which turned me away from this game, since I normally listen to their opinions. I rented out this game anyway just last night, and boy, was I in for a surprise.

This game was actually better than such a score. The mag gave Dawn of Fate a higher score, and that was WORSER than this! T3 was very well-done in my opinion, and is probably the greatest Atari achievement to date. The graphics are spectacular, and the sound is bearable (the Terminator theme song is also here, which adds to the sound goodness). Even though gameplay is SAID to be frustrating, once you start getting into it, you will not have a problem at all. Speaking of the gameplay, the environments are interactive, but don't expect everything to blow wide open upon smacking it with a Micro Rocket Launcher. Also, if you press the Select button, you can go into the T-850's famous Infrared Vision mode, allowing you to see just what a Terminator would see. I'm only on the first few levels of the game, but it's already looking very nice. Also, if you play through the game enough, you will be able to unlock two classic Atari games, "Centipede" and "Missile Command." They can be unlocked through cheat passwords, but you can also find their arcade consoles lying around some levels (so far I've only found the Missile Command game).

The disc also includes a demo of T3: Redemption, and upcoming Terminator game. From what I've played on the demo, Redemption looks VERY good enjoyable, which is actually a level where you get to play as the T-850 (this time in 3rd-Person view) and track-shoot your way through, allowing you to fire your weapon and control the vehicle at the same time, also being able to acquire new vehicles to commandeer (even enemy vehicles!). It seems as though Atari is going to further places with the Terminator than one would expect.

One more thing: I take back what I said about this game in my Operation: Surma review. I played O:S BEFORE playing this game, and I was just running off with what I've been told about this game.

T3: Rise of the Machines--7.25/10 T3: Redemption Demo--8/10