Remember Destroy All Humans? The light hearted alien-invasion romp from Pandemic Studios? Well, its back, complete with our favourite aliens Pox and Crypto (well, a new version, as the previous clone is deceased).
Destroy All Humans 2 is set in the 60s, and the feel is, erm, different. OK, such fuzziness isn't exactly the ideal start to a review, but it took us a while to figure out what it was that had changed. The sense of humour is still there, with Crypto regaling us with his sarcastic remarks and dry observations. The game play itself feels a little more gritty and action focused.
The mothership destroyed, you are stuck on earth trying to rebuild the ship and stop a plot - seemingly from the KGB, although too clever for them, so who are they working with...? Instead of running around just unleashing wanton destruction everywhere, the missions now are much more focussed. You're not just killing any and all humans for DNA, but instead you have specific targets and you're more concerned about your own 'alien business'.
The old weapons, such as the Disclocator are back, and are upgradable by collecting Furotec cells lying around the levels. The flying saucer has some new features, including the ability to leech power from vehicles, and the ability to stealth. It feels more vulnerable than in the previous game, but that could just be my dull reflexes these days.
There are a new set of side quests for 'Arkvoodle' an alien god with some serious style. Some of the things he asks for are hillarious, and those quests are a nice distraction.
The stealth in the old game has been pretty much removed, now most of the parts of the game that require not being seen too much can be completed by bodysnatching when you can find someone, and if you get seen, 'Feel the Love' and put everyone into a hippy style haze.
The majority of the missions are fairly easy - this is, for the most part, a game to be enjoyed and experienced - look at the graphics and listen to the dialogue - there are tons of jokes, anything is a target, from countries to movies, and even the game itself.
There are some missions where dying causes the mission to fail - these come as quite a shock, and are unnecessarily frustrating when compared with the rest of the game. Thankfully, there aren't too many of these so just grit your teeth and try again.
Being a Playstation 2 game, the graphics in Destroy All Humans 2 will look a little plain to next-gen accustomed eyes, but they aren't bad. The OTT style means that they still look smooth and fit with the game - they're perfectly playable and you will be spending more time listening and playing than scrutinising the tectures.
The animation is good - there are some pretty nice explosions and sickening flops of dead bodies which really add to the cheesy movie feel.
The sound effects are pretty good - with cheesy music on certain specials, and decent explosions, etc. Where the game really comes into its own is the voices. As you run around in alien form people will shout out insults and shocked comments. You will also hear people talking to themselves or friends, wondering about various aspects of their lives. There appears to be hundreds of these one liners, and some of them are absolutely hillarious. After you've been playing a while you will hear some repetition in them, but not enough to get irritating - certainly not like sports game commentary!
The dialogue in cut scenes, and the dialogue that you get to control at the start of quests, is always fun. Sometimes a little over the top - Crypto has a very sick and twisted mind, and sometimes can be just plain nasty, but its what you come to expect from him.
If you enjoyed the first Destroy All Humans, then you will likely find a lot to enjoy in this, more focussed tale. If you're new to the series, then I would say its worth a look if you like action game play, sick humour and lots of destruction. The OTT style isn't for everyone, but if you're a fun loving open minded type - or just want to laugh at the way people were in the 60s, then give it a look!
