Destroy All Humans!
System: XBox   Publisher: THQ   Developer: Pandemic Studios   Genre: Action   Release Date: 06/21/05

Quick Synopsis	Overall Score
Enjoyment:  Mildly entertaining Graphics:  Basic visual stimulation

Destroy All Humans takes place in the 1950's; which was an era of suspicion and corruption in politics.  McCarthyism, communism, and many other ism's were on the minds of most Americans.  People were afraid of war, of bombs, and there was always one nut job or another that claimed they were abducted by aliens.  The makers of Destroy All Humans made a point of exploiting the fears of the 1950's and turning it into entertaining quips made by the country bumpkins that you will run into throughout the game.  Hands-down this is truly the best part of the game.

The story line revolves around little gray aliens called "Furons" that have cloned themselves so much their DNA has become degraded.  Apparently humans contain strands of Furon DNA and their intention is to collect it for the purpose of cloning themselves.  You play as a Furon named Cryptosporidium-137 (named after a water born pathogen) that has been sent to the earth to find his predecessor, Cryptosporidium-136, who has recently went missing here.  You must investigate these backwoods towns to find him and collect DNA in the process. 

Cryptosporidium-137 comes equipped with an array of weapons; my personal favorite (but only because it is amusing, it is not very effective) is the anal probe.  Yes, you read that right, the anal probe which you aim and shoot at people's behinds.  This causes the people to run while they simultaneously grab their buttocks.  After you zap them with it for awhile their head explodes which gives you a chance to collect their brain for DNA.  You also have full use of a jet backpack.  This will get you on top of houses, over fences, and most importantly out of the way of the military when you call too much attention to yourself.

Similar to the Grand Theft Auto games you can draw the attention of the law.  This also goes in stages depending on how much trouble you cause; first the general public, the police, the military, and finally the men in black.  The men in black carry with them reverse engineered Furon weaponry which can cause significant damage to Cryptospiridium-137 so you really don't want to tangle with them.  Usually the best way to draw the attention of the men in black is by reeking havoc in your space ship.