Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance
- February 21, 2024
- Slitherine Ltd.
- 30h median play time
Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance isn’t without its issues, but its unique setting and gameplay mechanics set it apart from other strategy titles.
Get on Steam"Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance" is a real-time strategy game set in the Terminator universe, where you command the human resistance, the Founders, in their fight against Legion's machine network. With a single-player campaign and skirmish/multiplayer modes, players can control three distinct factions and make strategic decisions about unit placement and abilities on large battle maps. The game features dynamic battlefields with realistic tactics and consequences.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging tactical gameplay with a focus on unit management and resource scarcity.
- Interesting story with branching decisions that impact future missions.
- High level of detail in unit customization and persistent army mechanics.
- Frequent save scumming required due to high difficulty and RNG elements.
- Poor AI pathfinding and unit responsiveness can lead to frustrating gameplay.
- Performance issues, especially in urban environments, causing significant frame rate drops.
- story1,289 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance" is generally well-received, featuring a compelling narrative that intertwines with the gameplay, allowing players to make impactful choices that affect mission outcomes and character arcs. While the voice acting and character development are praised, some missions are criticized for being overly difficult or poorly designed, leading to frustration and the need for frequent reloading. Overall, the game offers a mix of engaging storytelling and strategic gameplay, though it could benefit from additional content and refinement in mission structure.
“The story is nice and has some great voice acting for this kind of genre.”
“The storyline is brilliant and had me captivated throughout.”
“The story is quite good and I'd say very well told.”
“The story will find any excuse to get you into fights with neutral teams and mess up your whole playthrough.”
“The campaign ends up feeling way too short and most of the fun units and tactics you don't get until the last mission or two if you're lucky.”
“The final mission doesn't feel like anything was concluded; it's like the dev just ran out of time or money and says, 'oh well, this is the last mission.'”
- gameplay339 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance" is characterized by a blend of tactical and strategic elements, drawing comparisons to classic RTS titles like Company of Heroes and Men of War. Players appreciate the depth of mechanics, including unit persistence, resource management, and the need for careful planning, though many express frustration with clunky controls, a punishing difficulty curve, and a problematic supply system that can detract from the overall experience. While the game offers engaging combat and unique mechanics, it suffers from bugs and a lack of clarity in its systems, leading to a mixed reception among players.
“The gameplay is a perfect mix of strategy and action.”
“Dynamic, thoughtful gameplay meets a deep micromanagement system, packed in spectacular visuals and finished with tremendous voice lines and soundtrack - a verified recipe for a good RTS game.”
“The game captures the Terminator world's essence while bringing fresh, exciting gameplay that keeps you hooked.”
“Good game, great tactical gameplay, but bad visual clarity and missing quality of life features that make this game really frustrating for me.”
“The campaign supply mechanic is frustrating; having to scrap or sell off one-third of your army after every mission just feels really bad.”
“The mechanics feel nonsensical at times or only work when the game feels like they should.”
- graphics111 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and impressive special effects, particularly during combat scenarios. However, some users criticize the graphics as outdated or mediocre for a 2024 title, noting performance issues and a lack of optimization that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good to great, there are significant concerns regarding performance and variety.
“The graphics are brilliant and the gameplay keeps you thinking of how to progress each mission.”
“As soon as you start playing, you'll be blown away by the stunning graphics.”
“Visuals: the game boasts visually captivating environments, featuring detailed landscapes, realistic character models, and impressive special effects.”
“Don't buy this game if you have an AMD graphics card; it has poor performance.”
“Visuals leave a lot to be desired for a 2024 game made in UE5.”
“Bad graphics, bad translations, and so poorly optimized it went from totally fine to a slideshow and then locking up my entire system requiring a hard reboot in less than 20 minutes.”
- optimization69 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly on AMD graphics cards and in scenarios with numerous units on screen. While some users noted improvements following patches, others highlighted persistent low frame rates and single-core CPU usage as major drawbacks. Overall, the game is deemed playable on decent hardware, but it requires further optimization to enhance the experience for a broader range of systems.
“Edit: they finally optimized the game; it looks like I can finally play past mission 3 after all the file verifications and help guides online. All it took was a patch.”
“The game is pretty decently optimized and runs perfectly fine in 4K with a RTX 4070 Ti on ultra settings.”
“You are constantly looking into the little world of each unit or squad and trying to squeeze as much performance out of them as you can.”
“The game's engine struggles to deliver smooth performance even on top-tier systems, with sub-15 fps making it unplayable.”
“Unfortunately, this game is amazing but has really terrible performance right now; it has really bad resource management and single-core usage, so performance is really bad. Other than that, I love this game, but I cannot recommend it to anyone in its current state unless you have a solid CPU. I will change my review if they fix it.”
“This game is poorly optimized, lacks balance, and is incomplete.”
- music44 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives a mixed reception, with many praising its immersive quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, particularly in relation to the game's themes and visuals. While some tracks are described as masterpieces, others are criticized for being generic or repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, contributing to its atmosphere and engagement, though there are calls for more original compositions.
“The music is fantastic and immerses you in the fight.”
“46 OST tracks by Edlise are a masterpiece.”
“The atmosphere and soundtrack effectively capture the essence of the Terminator franchise, enhancing the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack is a super annoying generic soundtrack consisting of techno-pop with fuzzy guitars.”
“The audio effects are adequate but the soundtrack gets really old really fast.”
“Music is generic and boring.”
- stability30 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and issues with pathfinding and AI behavior. While some players noted that it is playable and shows potential, the overall consensus is that the game is a "buggy mess" that can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. Users recommend caution, suggesting that it may be best to wait for significant updates before purchasing.
“The game is made with extreme passion and care; it is mostly bug-free and overall feels like a game of an older time where people made games for others to simply enjoy and also to create what they wanted.”
“Pretty much no glitches; units run smoothly with pathing, but not 100% smooth like the aforementioned Blizzard games.”
“I really wanted to like this game, but it's very buggy.”
“Not a very good game, it's a buggy mess, crashes quite often, missions are annoying at times as in the objectives are dumb, you make a whole good army deck and you go into missions realizing you can only use like 4 units... pointless and dumb.”
“The game is hard because it is buggy and you're fighting the game controls more than the game itself.”
- atmosphere25 mentions
- 76 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and gritty portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world, effectively capturing the essence of the Terminator franchise. Reviewers highlight the realistic graphics, atmospheric soundtrack, and the sense of struggle and survival that enhances the overall experience. While some find it less scary, the combination of solid storytelling and tactical gameplay contributes to a compelling and engaging atmosphere.
“You'll feel immersed in the gritty atmosphere that fans adore.”
“The atmosphere and soundtrack effectively capture the essence of the Terminator franchise, enhancing the overall experience.”
“+ great graphics with an awesome level of detail and a well-crafted, depressing Terminator atmosphere.”
“This is a very authentic Terminator experience; as far as atmosphere goes, you really feel like an underdog in a post-apocalyptic war with all of the odds against you.”
- replayability20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the engaging storyline and variety of options that encourage multiple playthroughs, others feel that limitations in mission design and a lack of mod support hinder its potential. Many users express a desire for additional content, such as new modes or factions, to enhance replay value, while some find the current state lacking in depth and replayability. The game's ability to offer a unique experience based on player choices is noted as a strong point, but concerns about linearity and mission restrictions persist.
“Interesting characters, a multitude of units and equipment to use, and the sheer variety of options presented to you make this game something that should be highly replayable and enjoyable for hundreds of hours.”
“An amazing experience with an outstanding campaign that changes massively based on your choices and performance in battle, as well as offering massive replayability with an efficient economy on the world map.”
“It has legs, so it'll have longevity - and it's sufficiently hard that it also has replayability.”
“To me, the current state of the game just has no replayability.”
“Open strategic layer design also pairs very poorly with a linear, heavily scripted campaign, providing plenty of opportunities to soft-lock but little depth or replay value.”
“Feels rushed, unpolished, and missing replayability.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is overwhelmingly tedious and frustrating, with players often feeling bogged down by repetitive missions and cumbersome resource management. While some enjoy the concept of a persistent army and squad growth, the excessive micromanagement and need to replay missions detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of monotony and dissatisfaction. Many users suggest that the game requires an excessive time commitment to progress, making it feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The resource management system is a huge pain in the ass but adds an interesting layer to the game; late game it is tedious though.”
“The concept of a persistent army that persists through the campaign was fun, but the missions are so boring I refuse to waste my time on tedious 'go here, now go here, now go here' rubbish in the hope that the next one will be fun.”
“While it could be a good game as it has everything it needs, it is messy and unbalanced after the first few missions, as it becomes tedious micromanaging 20+ units every 5 seconds, and it is very buggy, causing you to lose a mission to nothing, or have half your units killed due to bad pathfinding.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to their units, experiencing genuine heartbreak with each loss, which enhances the overall immersion of the game. While the main character lacks depth, the strategic gameplay and personal investment in unit management create a compelling narrative experience. However, some players feel the game leaves them wanting more, particularly in terms of content and story length, despite its engaging mechanics and emotional impact.
“A RTS that made me feel each and every loss.”
“It's very nice that this game implements old school RTS rules of zoom and pan, but introduces this emotional attachment between the player and his units on the front line.”
“I was hooked so much that the moment the demo ended, I immediately bought Syrian Warfare just to scratch the itch that waiting for this game made me feel.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of satire and absurdity, with players finding amusement in the quirky dynamics of the characters and gameplay, such as likable main characters and humorous scenarios involving "infant-like" units. While some aspects may lead to frustration, the overall experience is described as entertainingly chaotic, prompting laughter even amidst challenges. The game's unique and "weird" elements contribute to its charm, making it a memorable experience for players.
“Main characters are likable and occasionally funny.”
“Beautifully crafted, frustratingly and yet wonderfully dynamic, multi-level strategy game that will absolutely get you thinking and cursing yourself out so much your wife will look over with concern and humor as she sees you struggle to maintain your sanity!”
“Play this game for big bob and funny hillbillies with plasma guns!”
- character development5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it entertaining and immersive, others note flaws and a lack of depth. Despite some cheesy elements, many appreciate the strong storytelling and character arcs reminiscent of earlier titles. However, there are also voices that point out the absence of character development altogether.
“The character development is entertaining and had me immersed in the story.”
“This is a masterclass in story, character development (even if they are a tad cheesy), and fun gameplay mechanics.”
“The character development was actually present in a way I don't think I've seen since COH 1.”
“It has an interesting story, although it has its flaws in terms of character development during the campaign.”
“The character development was actually present in a way I don't think I've seen since Company of Heroes 1.”
“No character development.”
Critic Reviews
Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance Review
Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance may look the part, but the obnoxious mission design and confused campaign structure of this RTS just aren't worth your time.
50%Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance Review (PC)
Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance has a good real-time strategy core that is augmented by the mission design and the army management elements. The campaign features interesting situations and complex battles. The tactical pause makes it all accessible even for players who aren’t long-term fans of the RTS genre. The story and presentation do not match the game’s mechanics. Some secondary objectives and narrative choices are unclear until players actually interact with them. But Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance uses the franchise well and delivers engaging battles. Review key provided by the publisher.
85%Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance Review
Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance isn’t without its issues, but its unique setting and gameplay mechanics set it apart from other strategy titles.
80%
