If you have already played the original terminator game and are interested in this addition, it means that you liked the post-apocalyptic action based on the familiar template. And in that case, you’ll also like Annihilation Line because it offers content in a similar vein to the core product from 2019. Of course, you’re probably wondering if there’s anything new in the DLC and what makes it special, so let’s break it down a bit.
You can start the add-on as a separate new campaign in the game menu, where, by the way, the Infiltrator mode was also added in the meantime, which was also in the expanded edition for PS5. The events of Annihilation Line take place sometime in the middle of the original story, so you and Jacob Rivers actually jump to complete an additional storyline. This is also why you start the DLC with a character level thirteen, and shortly after the introduction you can invest twelve experience points in skills in three branches – combat, science and survival. You already know that, so we’ll just briefly remind you that these talents will allow you to master and better use weapons, stealth, and explosives, improve your resistance, expand the capacity of the backpack – inventory and master the opening of locks and hacking in the corresponding minigames.
The plot itself begins with memories of his father in an already devastated world and continues with Jacob’s reliving in the exclusive company of Kyle Rees and a handful of resistance members. Kyle has no idea yet what a significant role he plays in the life of John Connor, who is the leader and hopes to save humanity from Skynet. But he’s an experienced guy who gives you instructions, sends you on missions, and sometimes assists you personally.
Likewise, the rest of the small team will occasionally support you in the fight, with whose members you can occasionally communicate and learn something about their personal lives and problems. The add-on is not just a strict action game but brings a decently retold story, during which you also build relationships with your companions. Although only peripherally, because in the roughly four-hour adventure you don’t have that much time to go in-depth in this direction.
The key is your task to explore the area from which the surviving civilians suddenly stopped calling, to find clues, to find out what happens next and what new plans Skynet will spin. Or thwart them. Several follow-up main objectives in several sectors are complemented by a handful of side tasks. They are a small but pleasant diversion and will extend the playing time. You will explore important locations, hack computers, protect a witness with the necessary information, blow up enemy systems and sometimes escape from pursuers. It is enough for a solid story with a decent conclusion and a point, which, however, as connoisseurs of the Terminator movie, will not surprise you very much.
You will be faced with already proven terminators, on which you need a minimum of plasma weapons and explosives, and special disposable knives still work, with which you can pacify tin men by stabbing them from behind. In addition, reconnaissance drones and sometimes larger patrol machines fly in the air, while on the ground you are chased by explosive monsters from the underground activated by your movement. Above all, however, there is now the T-600 and the massive four-legged HK Centurion.
Part of the procedure is the well-known improvement of weapons with connected compatible chips, marking targets for a sniper or photographing objects using special glasses. Hacking tower defences will definitely help you to turn against their creator and help you eliminate the terminators. You have passed the basic game, you know it, don’t look for news here. It’s a bit of a shame, but the encore is interesting even without them. It will reliably draw you into the post-apocalyptic world with a new plot, and which fan of this universe would not be happy to be accompanied by Kyle Rees? Only John Connor and Sarah can beat that.
I think fans can be satisfied with the overall processing as well. The graphics of the original did not excel, and a colleague criticized the PS5 edition that was subsequently released for its poor technical condition. But Annihilation Line looks pretty good on PC. The creators added some effects and graphic modifications and I personally felt good about it. The individual locations correspond to the catastrophic scenes outlined in the films, occupying selected places, such as the factory for the production of terminators or the night view of the ruins of the city. You will experience nice explosions in the action scenes. The members of the resistance move quite briskly and are also well-dubbed, we’ll forgive their machine-like movement with terminators, but it’s worse with their intelligence and they still seem rather stupid. Accompanied by well-known movie tunes, it creates a solid ensemble that very well pulls you into the vision of a disaster-stricken world. I’ll tell you what, after a two-year hiatus, it was a pleasant evening spent with the terminator and John Connor’s (future) father. I had a good shot and enjoyed the successful atmosphere of the world, which is a reflection of the bleakness caused by human stupidity and the fatal decisions of the self-proclaimed masters of creation.
REVIEW : The Crackpet Show (PC)
