Terminator - Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) - Summary

Summary

Here is a concise summary of the provided text:

**Subject:** Review of multiple "Terminator" video games across various platforms (NES, 16-bit, Sega CD)

**Key Points:**

1. **NES Version:**
* Heavily criticized for poor graphics, music, controls, and design.
* Limited lives, no continues, and restrictive gameplay mechanics.
2. **16-bit Version:**
* Improved gameplay and graphics compared to NES, but still flawed.
* Difficulty spikes, limited shooting directions, and no continues.
3. **Sega CD Version:**
* Considered a significant improvement over other versions.
* Some minor issues with shooting directions and navigation, but overall a "pretty good side scroller" with notable music.

**Tone and Conclusion:**
The review is written in a humorous, exasperated tone, with the author expressing relief that the worst (NES version) is behind them, hinting at a more positive outlook for games based on the second Terminator movie.

Facts

Here are the key facts extracted from the text, without opinions, and formatted as requested:

**Terminator Game Facts**

1. **Gameplay Perspective**: In the NES game, the player controls Kyle Reese, not the Terminator.
2. **Setting**: The game starts in the future, with the NES version beginning in the sewers.
3. **Graphics Capabilities**: The NES was capable of a more versatile color scheme, but the game uses mostly black, white, and green.
4. **Life Meter Design**: The life meter has a black part for remaining life and a green part for empty life, which can be confusing.
5. **Sound Design**: The NES game's music is a repeating 5-second loop, with minimal sound effects.
6. **Control Mechanics**:
* Jumping has a noticeable delay.
* Shooting requires entering "gun mode" by crouching.
* In "gun mode", [A] shoots, and [Up] and [Down] on the D-Pad control aim.
7. **Game Progression**:
* No continues in the NES version.
* Dying three times restarts the game from the beginning.
8. **Scoring and Extras**:
* Earning 50,000 points rewards an extra life.
* Enemies respawn, allowing for point farming in one spot.
9. **16-bit Counterpart**:
* The 16-bit version is entirely different from the NES version.
* Starts with a battlefield scenario, similar to the movie's flashback scenes.
10. **16-bit Gameplay**:
* Shooting mechanics are improved, allowing for normal shooting.
* Can shoot on ladders, but not straight up or down.
11. **Lives and Continues**:
* The 16-bit version provides five lives.
* No continues after lives are depleted.
12. **Sega CD Version**:
* Considered a great improvement over other versions.
* Has some directional shooting limitations.
* Features the Terminator theme and original music.
* Includes skippable cutscenes from the movie.
13. **Release Timing**: The NES version was released as late as December 1992, after the Super Nintendo was out.