From beginning to end, Salvation is all about momentum and getting you into the next battle as quickly as possible. Granted, Salvation is an action game, but it moves with such breakneck intensity that features like characterization and plot-depth are passed over without a shred of emotional resonance. This is supposed to be the tale of John Conner’s development as a leader, and I can’t figure out why anyone is following him. He’s a no-name soldier on a personal mission to save three strangers trapped in the heart of Skynet’s territory and it seems like the survivors he attracts along the way simply have nothing better to do. Strangely, no one seems to notice that more people die en route than he’s trying to save.

As gamers, we are well accustomed to the fate of movie-related games, which is why Salvation is such a disappointment. It has some solid combat, perhaps the best cover-system to date, and the foundation for a captivating plot, but the game lacks any sort of scope. In case further proof is needed, the whole experience is only about four hours long with no incentives to play again, unless your friend absolutely has to get some easy Achievements. With a little more ambition, Salvation could have been something special. But it didn’t—and it’s not.

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