Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 75 | 114 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 84% | 78 | 751 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 86% | 80 | 67 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 22, 2026) · 67 reviews sampled · 66 total reviews in window · weighted 27.1 up / 4.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (56)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 60
“Terminator 2D: No Fate doesn't offer any groundbreaking solutions, but it is a very well-crafted adaptation of the film. However, you can complete the entire game in just... 38 minutes.”
read full review ↗ - 70
- 80
“Even without the Terminator license, this would be just a very well-executed old-school side-scrolling shooter. With the touchstones of the film to work with, though, Bitmap has delivered an experience that finally does proper justice to one of the greatest blockbuster films of all time.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Ultimately, Terminator 2D: NO FATE isn’t the ideal game for every fan of the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day, but rather for players who love classic run-and-gun shooters and can appreciate their pace and emphasis on replayability. Bitmap Bureau has delivered a technically precise, visually enchanting, and solidly playable action game, though its early stages are hampered by an excessive reliance on the film’s source material and an unfortunate difficulty scaling system.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Interestingly, half of what makes Terminator 2D fun is its painstaking reproduction of the movie on which it's based. Were it to have no relationship to a beloved IP, it would likely be criticised for its brevity, linearity, and general simplicity. Once fully beaten, you won't likely return to it for anything except a nostalgia hit, but T2 fans and 16-bit diehards will feel well-served by its detailed reminiscence.A great deal of the game's charm is derived from its novelty factor, and it's that novelty, in conjunction with some clever ideas and impressive authenticity, that should inform your purchasing decision.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“A wonderfully crafted, retro-inspired take on the arcade-style side-scrolling shooter, based on the Terminator 2: Judgment Day movie. It's a must-try for fans of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“As an adaptation of Terminator 2: Judgment Day in video game form, Terminator 2D: No Fate is a fun game to play through.”
read full review ↗ - 79
“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.”
read full review ↗
GameMAG
3DNews
Slant Magazine
Gaming Professors
Nintendo Life
Indie Games Devel
STWGames Italia
VGChartz
Wolf's Gaming Blog
XDA
Gamesource Italia…and 44 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch 1 Now Live for Terminator 2D: NO FATE!Jun 22, 2026significant · resets scoring window