The year is 2027 and Skynet is well on their way to terminating all that is left of humankind. Although this takes place well into the future, Terminator: Dawn of Fate is the prequel to Terminator. The Skynet is about to travel back in time to 1984 to kill Sarah Conner, mother of Tech Com leader John Conner. Your goal is to send Sergeant Kyle Reese back in time to prevent the Terminator T-800 from accomplishing his task of killing Sarah Conner. However, Skynet's T-800 units have gotten into the Haven and are set out to kill anyone in sight.

The player takes control of one of three main characters, including hero of the game Sergeant Kyle Reese. The other two characters that you will control are Catherine Luna and Captain Justine Perry. The leader, John Conner is in the game although you do not get to control him. Another one of your missions, besides getting Reese back in time, is to keep John Conner alive. None of these characters look like they did in the movie, and the animations could use some work. However, they do contain good qualities in that each of them have their own unique skills and abilities.