A Terminator game inspired by Cyberpunk and Dead by Daylight
I’ve always wondered why there has never been a true open-world Terminator game focused on the tension of being hunted — or being the hunter.
My idea is a dark sci-fi action/survival game set in a living city before and after Judgment Day, inspired by The Terminator (1984), T2, synthwave aesthetics, and stealth thrillers.
Core Concept
One target must survive.
A Terminator must eliminate them.
Another player (or AI protector) must keep them alive.
The gameplay could work in both singleplayer and multiplayer modes:
- Play as a human trying to survive and stay hidden
- Play as a Resistance fighter protecting the target
- Or play as an infiltrator Terminator hunting them down
Gameplay Ideas
- Semi-open or fully open world city
- Day/night cycle
- Crowded streets where Terminators blend in
- Police chases and civilian panic
- Future War sections after Judgment Day
- Multiple Terminator models (T-800, T-1000 style enemies, etc.)
- Ability to scan humans as a Terminator
- Dynamic damage system where Terminators slowly lose human skin and reveal the endoskeleton underneath
- Synth-heavy 80s-inspired soundtrack
- Stealth mixed with intense action
Multiplayer Possibilities
One of the coolest ideas to me would be:
- 1 player = infiltrator Terminator
- 1 player = protector / Resistance fighter
- 1 player = target
Almost like a mix between:
- GTA
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Dead by Daylight
- and The Terminator universe
Why I Think It Could Work
The Terminator franchise is perfect for a suspense-driven open-world game, especially with modern AI systems and dynamic NPC behavior.
Most Terminator games focus mainly on shooting, but the movies are really about tension, paranoia, pursuit, and survival.
I honestly think there’s huge untapped potential here.