In the vast cosmos of gaming, there are a few gems that have the audacity to eradicate the competition using extraterrestrial mind control and ray guns. Welcome to "Destroy All Humans!", a remake of the 2005 classic where you play as an alien (because who doesn’t want to be a little green menace?) tasked with harvesting our precious human DNA. Spoiler alert: it does not go well for us hairy mortals.
You take control of Cryptosporidium 137, or 'Crypto' for short—because if your name were that long, you’d want a nickname too. Armed with a delightful array of weaponry that would make even the most qualified sci-fi villain blush, including the infamous Anal Probe (the freest of free gifts with each new game), you get to wreak havoc on not-so-innocent '50s era humans. Gameplay involves a blend of action-adventure elements, with a third-person perspective providing a clear view of your might or, more likely, your hilarious failures. Interacting with a world that clearly underestimates what they think is a 'bad hair day' when, in fact, it’s an invading alien, is comedy gold. Navigating the sandbox style of six different locations lets players pull off everything from levitating cows (keeping you perpetually one step away from triggering the next UFO sighting) to blowing up military bases like it's the Fourth of July (even if it isn't). The new Focus Mode enables you to auto-target enemies, rendering you a god among men—albeit a very confused god, who really likes using the ‘zap’ button.
On the aesthetic front, Destroy All Humans! pulls off a retro-futuristic vibe that sparkles like that one old VHS tape you refuse to throw away because it reminds you of your childhood. The graphical overhaul does justice to the original’s charm, making it look like a well-respected vintage car restored with new paint. Expect bright, saturated colors and character designs that inspire nostalgia, if not a sense of bizarre whimsy. The animation feels smoother than ever, which is a huge improvement from the clunky nature of the original. Prepare your eyes for a feast of zany escapades and the tragic downfall of poorly animated humans who just wanted to enjoy a peaceful day.
Destroy All Humans! does a commendable job of balancing humor, chaos, and a hint of sociopathic tendencies as you embrace your role as an alien overlord. It’s not perfect—some might argue you'd find more depth in a kiddie pool than the game's missions—but it’s undeniably fun to play. Ultimately, the enjoyment comes not just from leveling cities, but from laughing at the wonderfully absurd dialogue and wacky 50s satire. If you're itching for a good time with your favorite aliens while you watch humanity's constant battle with comedy, this game will serve all your extraterrestrial needs. For a trip down memory lane, it certainly transports you there—one explosion at a time.