Destroy All Humans Review

Platform: PlayStation 2

Publisher: THQ

About Destroy All Humans

Destroy all Humans! is a funny, sci-fi, action/adventure single player game. You are a sarcastic, trigger-happy gray alien named Crypto whose race faces extinction due to genetic deterioration. Your basic mission is to collect DNA (to help restore your race), eliminate military and other threats, and try to keep the majority of humans unaware of your existence. As Crypto, you have unusual abilities and weapons to help you with your mission. Telekinesis, levitation, brain extraction and laser weapons are just some of the tools you can use to achieve your goal. Fly through the air and attack from the sky in your spacecraft, use your jet pack to allow Crypto to move to higher ground and evade enemies, and disguise yourself as a human to move around unnoticed.

This game is set in the late 40’s, during the time of the Roswell crash. It reminds me of some of the cheesy badly acted sci-fi movies made in the 50’s, and Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks. Crypto sounds and has many of the same expressions as Jack Nicholson. Ironically, Nicholson played the president in that movie.

Gameplay

Difficulty Level/Modes of Play

This game is extremely easy to learn. It doesn’t offer multiple levels of difficulty, so once you beat the game, that’s it. Controls are basic and most threats against you are not overly challenging.

Fun Factor

Destroy all Humans! is a fun game. Many alien and UFO conspiracies are visited: cow mutilations, Men in Black (MIB), alien abductions, government cover-up etc. You can use politicians to influence and create confusion, use telekinesis to read minds, attack with an alien spacecraft, extract the brains of humans to get their DNA, and use unusual and powerful weapons.

Depth/Length of Game

In this relatively short game, you'll find mostly missions and a few side quests. There are no new levels to explore once you beat the game. Crypto and the spacecraft can be upgraded with specific amounts of DNA that you collect to get better weapons and abilities.

Graphics

The graphics are great. They create a nostalgic, late 40’s/50’s civilization. Even the characters dress and say things that correspond with the time period. It is a little cartoony, but fitting for this game.

Audio/Movie Sequences

The sound effects are good and the dialog is humorous. There are some movie sequences that cannot be bypassed. An annoying Destroy all Humans! graphic (or slight variation) is displayed every time you reload a game or start a new level. I guess this is another one of the designer’s attempts to make this game look like some of those old 50’s sci-fi movies.

Summary

Destroy All Humans! is a funny sci-fi, action/adventure game where you play an alien with a mission to collect DNA to rebuild your race and eliminate potential human threats. It is a collective, nostalgic mix of 50’s sci-fi movies, alien/UFO conspiracy and cheesy humor. You use special abilities to read minds, eliminate humans and other threats. It is an easy to learn game that is fun to play (good to rent) and not to difficult to beat.

By Sheila Robinson (CA-gamer)