Amstrad Computer User


Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Author: Jim Johnson
Publisher: Ocean
Machine: Amstrad CPC464

 
Published in Amstrad Computer User #85

Hasta la vista, baby! Arnie's back, but this time he's the good guy.

Terminator 2

It's not all that often that you go out to the flicks to see a sequel that is every bit as good as the original but, if you managed to sneak into Terminator 2: Judgement Day recently, I think you'll agree that, especially as far as the special effects are concerned, there really isn't an awful lot around to touch it at the moment.

Getting used to Arnie as the good guy is the first shock, and one that sets the stock for the rest of the movie, from the breakneck chase to rescue mum from the looney bin, to the final, chilling confrontation in the steel foundry.

As you can imagine with a film licence, Terminator 2, the computer game, follows the movie plot very closely indeed and, despite the limitations of the 8-bit machine, there is still plenty of atmosphere packed into this non-stop shootie to keep you glued to the screen until the bitter end - if you get that far, of course.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Taking the role of Arnie, as the good guy, your task is to prevent the Mark 2 Terminator from getting a sniff at the young John Connor, the saviour of our future in the battle against the machines.

Beefing yourself up with a full armory will certainly help against this seemingly indestructible hunk of liquid metal but, if you're planning to get through all seven levels of this excellent blast, expect to take some pretty hefty damage on board,

To cater for this, you'll need to be pretty adept at the old wiring and circuitry game, in between the blasting. At various points in the game, you must stop to undertake repairs to your cybernoid systems, which need to be completed within a set time limit if you are to continue your mission.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

All of this is going to take some getting used to, so be prepared to sacrifice a few John Connors first, before you feel you are ready to take the battle to the very limits.

If you have seen the film already, then you'll know just exactly what you can do to harm the new, souped-up Terminator. If you haven't, then use your wits to secure your environment and find anything you can lay your hands on, to stop his advance.

Cleverly designed, the screen is split into playing area, with the two Terminator heads in the bottom corners, indicating the respective health of each. Watch the bad guy's head closely to determine his state of affairs at all times.

All in all, Terminator 2 is a thoroughly enjoyable blast. Despite the limitations imposed by the film licence, there is still plenty of action, frenetic combat and puzzles aplenty to keep you amused.

The graphics are superb, the soundtrack definitely atmospheric and the scenario is chilling enough to seriously spook you. After all, it could happen you know, if you think about it. It's just a matter of time!

Jim Johnson

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