Technical note: For this blog I'd been using the emulator Visual Boy Advance M-64.
Terminator 3 for the Game Boy Advance (Synopsis).
It would be the year 2003 when the Terminator would arrive from the hands of video game developer Atari SA on our favourite portable console from Nintendo, the Game Boy Advance. Developed by the company Taniko, this is an isometric shoot-em-up action game in which we control the iconic T-101, or better known as the Terminator, and in which we will help humanity through joint action with the 'Resistance' against the machines controlled by the Skynet Corporation. Despite the fact that the graphics aren't the best you can get on the GBA, and that the aiming system can be a little awkward at times, I really think you should give this solid game for Nintendo's handheld a try, and if you're a fan of the Terminator saga like me, I'm sure you'll enjoy it very much.
The Tech-Com 2032.
With the vital information that we have been reactivated, a member of the Resistance informs us that we are now working for them and that the machines are now our enemy. The Resistance's first objective for us is clear: to reactivate a time machine now in Skynet's hands in order to send us back in time and protect members who are vital to the proper and effective operation of the Resistance.
And so we arrive at the Tech-Com 2032 facilities, where we quickly come up against our first enemy, a Terminator-style HK tank or Hunter Killer Tank, which is a bit clumsy and slow, but very resistant to gunfire. At first we only have a simple handgun and the power of our fists. Destroying the HK tank will leave us with some grenades, which will come in handy later on.
On our way to the bunkers of the Skynet facility on the way to the East Gate, we encounter another class of Terminator, none other than the fearsome HK-Aerial, or Hunter Killer Aerials, which are harder to hit with our shots, but have less resistant armour, making them more vulnerable to our shots.
A first detail I liked is how our Terminator loses a lot of its skin when we take heavy damage, and we can regain it when we take a medkit :D .
These turrets are often annoying, as they can appear out of nowhere. The good thing is that they are usually not that tough or accurate, so destroying them will not be that difficult.
Note: It is important to know that you can always check important information about the objectives to be achieved during the mission by accessing the Hud Log in the game menu. I think this is a very good feature of the game, as you can sometimes get lost in the objectives in the middle of all the action.
Finally, we destroyed a wall where one of the resistance soldiers was trapped, which was very important because this soldier was going to give us two charges of C4, which would be very useful later on.
We then used the C4 to destroy the generator that was maintaining the energy blockades that were preventing us from advancing into the bunkers of the Skynet facility. One thing I really like about this game is the weapon management system, it really feels like something out of a relatively modern shooter.
A Resistance soldier told us about the difference in power between some of Skynet's Terminator units, often indicated by their different colours. For example, in the image above you can see a turret with green detailing, indicating that it is more powerful than normal turrets.
The final charge of C4 will be used to destroy a final blockade towards the bunker area.
Note: It is very important to follow the compass I am showing in the picture above, as it indicates the main objectives to be achieved and keeps us informed amidst so much action and debauchery.
Another useful feature of our HUD is the ability to use the Terminator's thermal vision to identify targets more clearly and accurately, and even to know the status of our targets and enemies. This is activated by using the 'select' option on our console or keybinding on our emulator.
We managed to free a soldier who was trapped in the depths of Skynet's communications complex, and he left us a swipe card to the lower facilities of the Tech-Com 2032 complex.
On the way down to the Tech-Com's lower bunker, a Resistance soldier asked for our help, which consisted of protecting her from many T-850 Terminators while she opened a hatch that would clear the way to another part of the facility. This part turned out to be less complicated thanks to the shotgun the soldier gave us, which is weak at long range but deadly at close range, even against T-850's.
Finally, after a successful defence, our Resistance ally leads the way to another tech-com zone,
Well, that brings us to the end of this first Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines blog for the Game Boy Advance. I hope you enjoyed this first blog, and thank you for your attention if you made it this far. I'll be bringing you more blogs soon.
Credits
Credits to Atari SA & Taniko for the development of this cool port for the GBA of Terminator 3, as well as to all the creators of the concept art of the Terminator Saga.
All the screenshots are taken from my PC - Screen & Emulator.
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