Destroy All Humans! (2020) Review: A Nostalgic, Chaotic Alien Invader
In 2005, Pandemic Studios introduced gamers to Crypto-137, a foul-mouthed alien with a hatred for humanity and a penchant for probing. Fast forward to 2020, and publisher THQ Nordic alongside developer Black Forest Games brought back this cult classic with a full-fledged remake. Destroy All Humans! (2020) faithfully recreates the mid-century alien invasion sandbox while upgrading the visuals, controls, and performance for modern gaming hardware.
Game Overview and Developer Details
The 2020 remake was developed by Black Forest Games and published by THQ Nordic. The developers took great care to retain the original voice acting and comedic tone while rebuilding the world from the ground up using Unreal Engine 4.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Black Forest Games |
| Publisher | THQ Nordic |
| Release Date | July 28, 2020 |
| Platforms | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows (PC), Stadia |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Open World |
Story and Narrative: 1950s Sci-Fi Satire
Set in 1950s America during the height of the Cold War and anti-communist paranoia, the game follows Crypto-137, an alien warrior from the Furon Empire. Crypto is dispatched to Earth by his commander, Orthopox 13, on a rescue mission to save his predecessor, Crypto-136, and harvest pure Furon DNA stored inside human brain stems.
"I am Crypto-137 of the Furon Empire. And I have come to harvest your brains!"
The narrative serves as a hilarious satire of 1950s pop culture, government cover-ups (the Majestic agency), and classic B-movie tropes. The voice lines—featuring masterful voice acting by J. Grant Albrecht as Crypto and Richard Steven Horvitz as Orthopox—remain intact from the 2005 release, delivering timeless comedic timing.
Graphics, Visuals, and Audio Overhaul
Visually, the 2020 remake is a massive leap forward. Built on Unreal Engine 4, the game features vibrant lighting, detailed character models, enhanced particle effects, and significantly improved physics. The cartoonish art style preserves the charm of the original while giving environments like Rockwell, Santa Modesta, and Area 42 a fresh, modern aesthetic.
- Enhanced Destruction: The Flying Saucer mechanics now boast dynamic destruction physics, allowing players to vaporize entire city blocks effortlessly.
- Smooth Animations: Character movement, telekinesis toss, and jetpack hovering feel fluid and responsive.
- Audio Quality: While the original voice tracks were preserved and remastered, sound effects and orchestral music have been fully modernized.
Platforms Where Playable
Destroy All Humans! (2020) is widely accessible across multiple generations and systems. You can play it on the following platforms:
- PC: Available via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.
- Consoles: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch (playable on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S via backward compatibility).
- Cloud: Google Stadia (at launch).
Final Recommendation
Destroy All Humans! (2020) is a successful, highly entertaining remake that knows exactly what it wants to be: an unfiltered, fun, lighthearted slice of mindless destruction. While mission structures can feel a bit repetitive by modern open-world standards, the improved control scheme, updated graphics, and hilarious narrative make it a must-play for fans of retro action-adventure games.
Final Rating: 8/10 — Highly recommended for fans of 1950s sci-fi, dark humor, and satisfying destruction gameplay.
