by Lloyd “Gus” Sabin, 22 September 2025
Remember back in January when I checked out Terminator – Dark Fate – Defiance – We Are Legion? Yeah I barely remember that either, so here is the link.
click images to enlarge
To reiterate, I really enjoyed Legion…it ran super smoothly on my PC, the missions were very fun to play, the portrayal of urban combat in the Terminator universe was well done, and the whole package made me wish I had more time to play.
So what have Slitherine done to improve on an already solid game? I’m glad you asked. In Terminator – Dark Fate – Defiance – Uprising, they have implemented a campaign. Yes! Uprising presents a campaign mode that sees the player lead the human Resistance against the other human and machine factions, including Marauders, the Movement, Legion, the Cartel, and others. At some points later in the campaign there is even some diplomacy involved, and the player can choose allies from former enemies. The story, by the way, is set after the events of Legion.
Mission types do vary between assault, convoy attack, king of the hill and more. The player can build forward bases, use scouts, snipers and now, newly introduced in Uprising, assault helicopters, on top of the unit selection available in previous games.
While similar and a bit scripted like the individual game missions themselves, there is player choice and options, and this campaign offers a wider view of the war against the machines…conjuring up the atmosphere quite effectively. The campaign map itself looks to be an expansion and upgrade of the introductory map art used for briefings in Legion, simple and clear. The same production values from earlier DLC are still present, with smooth graphics, respectable AI and moody music, sound effects and radio chatter among units and officers. Voice acting is good, not over the top or flowery.
The images below take you through the first mission at ‘Mount Vernon,’ in what was the American southwest. It appears to be designed as an introduction to have the player expand the miniscule forces assigned in the very beginning of this first Uprising mission. As you spread across the mission map, your units must capture buildings (and vehicles and equipment if you want) and free additional human units that have been held captive. Units are persistent and carried from one mission to the next as well, like the previous games
I also still have to request that the engine for these Terminator games be applied to World War II or even modern era combat games set in eastern Europe…the look and mechanics here would be absolutely perfect. I’ll beg if you want me to.
Gameplay is intuitive and engaging – for an asking price of ~10.00, getting a campaign mode is a welcome and very welcome next step for any fan of the Terminator. Uprising is another solid, maybe even somewhat unexpected, entry in this series. If more factions could be opened up in future entries, that would be fantastic.
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