The Terminator: Dawn of Fate

 Xbox
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 19
  3. Negative: 6 out of 19
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Maxim Online
    80
    Fate also dispenses with T2’s cyborg-boy love plot, so you can focus on blasting titanium drones into nuts and bolts.
  2. netjak
    73
    If the developers would have allowed control over the camera or possibly even made this a first person shooter totally, I would have given this game a much higher rating. But the combat system, cinematics, and storyline easily make up for that downfall.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. GameZone
    67
    While playing through the film’s futuristic backdrop might seem very appealing, there are a number of features, such as the first-person controls, that could have been handled a lot better.
  5. Gaming Age
    67
    Unfortunately the training sequence in the very beginning wastes no time introducing you to the biggest problem with Dawn of Fate: the controls.
  6. GameSpot
    66
    A mediocre action game with a terrific license.
  7. Game Informer
    60
    During Dawn of Fate, I would get so turned around, I found myself back at the beginning of a level, instead of pressing on into the next sections. [Oct 2002, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. GameSpy
    60
    I think if they had a little more time to work on the camera and control issues (and improve the graphics), Dawn of Fate could've been a great game. Instead it's just a game that the publisher rushed out the door, and it's mediocre (at best) because of it.
  9. Play Magazine
    60
    Save for the perspective glitches indicative of an older engine, Dawn of Fate delivers a fitting game based on the resilient Terminator franchise. [Oct 2002, p.76]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. GamerWeb Xbox
    55
    The frustrating camera angles and lack of any real replay value hurt this title considerably.
  11. IGN
    53
    The camera blows, the action isn't exciting, and the game put me to sleep faster than Nyquill.
  12. Gamestyle
    50
    The camera system is utterly dreadful. If you can handle the camera and enjoyed the Terminator movies then Dawn of Fate will entertain you.
  13. Game Over Online
    50
    It looks great and promising but in the end, it's like the ten-minute sequence we saw in the film - merely a glimpse of what could be done.
  14. G4 TV
    50
    Nothing more than a second-rate shooter. It's obvious that the developer has talent, but it should have focused its skills more on gameplay than on presentation.
  15. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    48
    Pretty levels and power chords can't hide Dawn of Fate's real weakness: crappy gameplay. [Nov 2002, p.304]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. Armchair Empire
    45
    Where almost everything falls apart is the fumbling camera work, which makes controlling your on-screen character a migraine-inducing experience.
  17. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    Could have been a conspiratorial mind-bender like "The Thing"; instead, it's a pretty, empty third-person shooter (which, like "Superman," suffers from a slipshod control interface and horrible camera placement). [4 Oct 2002, p.157]
    All this publication's reviews
  18. GamePro
    40
    The action-heavy gameplay just gets hammered by illogically executed camerawork.
  19. GameNow
    33
    It's just too bad fate dropped its pants and crapped on this one. [Nov 2002, p.66]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. Xbox Nation Magazine
    20
    Inexcusably awful. [Fall 2002, p.115]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2002
43
#43 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 3 out of 7
  1. AmadeusE
    Apr 4, 2020
    4
    You tend to get stuck, don't know where to go, where or how to complete the objectives you're given. There's health on the screen forYou tend to get stuck, don't know where to go, where or how to complete the objectives you're given. There's health on the screen for characters that aren't even in the same place as you and it constantly runs down until you get a game over screen that says you let them die. Enemies visibly spawn in right in front of you... Just crap all over the place.

    Nice that there's metal music in the background, though. And I like the effect when you enter doors and transition to other rooms.    … Full Review »
  2. JeffA.
    Jan 22, 2005
    0
    In 28 years of playing videogames this is one of the worst games I have ever played. I bought it for $20 and traded the game in. I got $3 for In 28 years of playing videogames this is one of the worst games I have ever played. I bought it for $20 and traded the game in. I got $3 for this game in trade and I was happy to get the $3. The horrid camera angle completely ruins the game. I have never seen such bad camera angles. The fixed camera switches while you are moving and you end up running into danger when you think you're running away from it. Terrible game.… Full Review »
  3. MichaelC.
    Aug 20, 2003
    2
    One of the worst games I've played since I bought an XBox. This game would've been SO much better if you were given control over One of the worst games I've played since I bought an XBox. This game would've been SO much better if you were given control over the camera. The crappy controls make for even crappier gameplay (you can't actually see what you're shooting at 90% of the time). The graphics and soundtrack are both great, but it really can't make up for the rest of the game.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »