Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Destroy All Humans! places you in the tentacles of Crypto-137, an alien invader armed with an eclectic arsenal of Furon weaponry. From the Zap-o-Matic to the disintegrator ray, every gadget feels distinct and over-the-top. You’ll alternate between on-foot stealth missions—using the Holobob disguise to blend into 1950s suburbia—and full-blown saucer mayhem, unleashing your abducto beam and quantum deconstructor on unsuspecting humans. The ebb and flow between sneaking and sensational destruction keeps the core loop exciting throughout the campaign.

The game’s alert system, reminiscent of classic open-world titles, adds a strategic layer to your rampages. Low-level pranks might draw a few patrol cars, but go full-on obliteration and you’ll find yourself dogfighting military jets in your flying saucer. Missions often task you with racing against the clock to harvest DNA samples or eliminate specific targets, creating a nice variation in pacing. Side objectives, like bonus sample runs and timed killstreaks, encourage you to master both Crypto’s psychokinetic lifts and his more subtle mind-control abilities.

Upgrading your arsenal and psychic powers is handled via the mothership hub between missions. Extracted human DNA serves as currency, letting you unlock new weapon tiers, expand your health and psi meters, or invest in saucer enhancements like plasma cannons and stealth cloaking. This progression system never feels grindy, since the world is brimming with hapless civilians to scan and abduct, and each new upgrade opens fresh opportunities for creative chaos.

Graphics

The visual style of Destroy All Humans! nails the campy spirit of 1950s B-movie sci-fi. Bright pastel neighborhoods, retro diner signage, and exaggerated character animations evoke a sense of delightful absurdity. Although character models can appear slightly caricatured, this ties perfectly into the game’s tongue-in-cheek tone. Environments range from sleepy farmsteads to bustling small towns, each rendered with enough detail to make your destructive antics feel satisfying.

Special effects like psi blasts, ray beams, and flying-saucer flybys pop with vivid colors and dynamic lighting. The game runs smoothly even when you unleash large-scale mayhem, though you might notice occasional texture pop-in on distant buildings. Shadows and reflections are well-handled, giving a surprisingly modern sheen to a title that leans heavily into retro aesthetics. Animations—especially civilian reactions—are wonderfully over-the-top, making every zap and abduction a mini spectacle.

One of the biggest graphical joys is watching the world react to your presence. Vehicles crumple believably under your disintegrator ray, and crowds scatter convincingly at the first hint of Hypno Blast. The developers clearly prioritized responsive feedback, ensuring that each explosion or psychic tremor feels weighty. While you won’t mistake it for a photorealistic simulator, the game’s stylized visuals perfectly complement its comedic premise.

Story

You play as Cryptosporidium 137, the Furon Empire’s last hope for genetic revitalization. After obliterating the Martians, Crypto crash-lands on Earth to harvest human DNA, lamenting the degradation of Furon clones and the inconvenience of lacking certain biological… assets. This premise sets up a delightfully irreverent narrative full of fourth-wall quips and satirical jabs at Cold War–era paranoia.

Each mission is introduced with campy radio transmissions from the mothership, where you receive new target briefs and witty banter from Furon HQ. The plot never takes itself too seriously, reveling in cheesy cutscenes of suburban panic and hammy government agents. You’ll witness absurd set pieces—escaping from a secret lab, hijacking a military convoy, or turning small-town sheriffs into your personal puppets—each laced with that 1950s sci-fi charm.

Despite its comedic focus, the story offers a surprisingly cohesive through-line, uniting various locales and characters under the common goal of galactic domination. Side characters, from clueless military officers to panicked scientists, add flavor without overstaying their welcome. While the narrative won’t win any awards for depth, its sharp writing and relentless humor make it a memorable alien invasion romp.

Overall Experience

Destroy All Humans! strikes an excellent balance between sandbox chaos and structured missions. The core gameplay loop—abduct, scan, upgrade, repeat—never feels stale, thanks to a varied mission design and a wealth of upgrade options. Whether you’re sneaking through a backyard barbecue or leveling an entire town with your saucer, the game delivers consistent thrills.

The comedic tone is one of the game’s greatest assets. Crypto’s sardonic commentary and the townfolk’s panicked reactions ensure that every mission feels like a scene from a campy ‘50s flick. Combined with the open-world freedom and responsive upgrade system, you’ll find yourself eagerly hunting new ways to unleash cosmic havoc.

For anyone craving a humorous action game with retro sci-fi flair, Destroy All Humans! is a no-brainer. Its entertaining gameplay, vivid art direction, and self-aware story create a satisfying package that keeps you laughing even as you vaporize the planet’s most defenseless residents. Strap into your saucer, sharpen your ray guns, and prepare for a gloriously goofy invasion experience.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10