The Terminator: Future Shock

The Terminator: Future Shock is a first-person shooter released for MS-DOS in 1995 by Bethesda Softworks. Set in the grim, post-apocalyptic world of the Terminator film series, the game places players in a devastated Los Angeles ruled by the machines of Skynet. As a survivor rescued by the human resistance, you take on missions to sabotage Skynet’s forces, rescue captives, and ultimately strike at the heart of the machine network.

One of the most groundbreaking features of Future Shock was its fully 3D engine, which allowed players to freely look around with the mouse — a major innovation for the time. The game also featured drivable vehicles, including the famous Hunter-Killer tanks and jeeps, giving players a sense of scale and mobility rarely seen in shooters of that era.

Atmospheric sound design and detailed environments helped capture the bleak tone of the Terminator universe. Though often overshadowed by later shooters, The Terminator: Future Shock remains a cult classic and a technical milestone that paved the way for modern first-person game controls and immersive 3D gameplay.