Destroy All Humans! – Clone Carnage

Destroy All Humans! Clone Carnage is a standalone expansion in the satirical action-adventure series, set in the exaggerated 1950s American landscape. Players step into the shoes of Crypto, a sarcastic grey alien, tasked with harvesting human brainstem DNA to save his species from extinction while causing widespread chaos through destruction, mind control, and encounters with military forces and paranoid citizens.

Destroy All Humans! – Clone Carnage: Review

Introduction

In the pantheon of cult-classic video games, few titles have left as indelible a mark as Destroy All Humans! (2005). The original game, developed by Pandemic Studios, was a satirical, open-world romp through 1950s America, where players took on the role of Cryptosporidium-137 (or “Crypto”), a sarcastic, trigger-happy alien tasked with harvesting human brain stems to replenish the Furon race’s dwindling DNA supply. The game’s blend of chaotic gameplay, dark humor, and nostalgic sci-fi aesthetics made it a beloved title among fans of the genre. Fast forward to 2022, and THQ Nordic, under the development of Virtuos Ltd., released Destroy All Humans! – Clone Carnage, a standalone multiplayer spin-off that sought to capture the essence of the original while introducing new mechanics and modes. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative, gameplay mechanics, world-building, reception, and legacy, ultimately assessing its place in the Destroy All Humans! franchise and the broader gaming landscape.

Development History & Context

Destroy All Humans! – Clone Carnage was developed by Virtuos Ltd., a studio known for its work on ports and expansions rather than original titles. The game was released on May 31, 2022, for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and later for Xbox Series X|S. It was initially offered as a free bonus for pre-orders of Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed, but became free for everyone on November 2, 2022. The game was built using Unreal Engine 4, a significant technological leap from the original’s proprietary engine, which allowed for enhanced graphics and smoother gameplay.

The development of Clone Carnage was influenced by the success of the 2020 remake of the original Destroy All Humans!, which received mixed reviews but sold over 1 million units by May 2021. THQ Nordic, which acquired the intellectual property rights from THQ in 2013, saw an opportunity to capitalize on the franchise’s resurgence by offering a multiplayer experience that would appeal to both new and returning fans. However, the decision to release Clone Carnage as a standalone multiplayer expansion, rather than as part of a larger package, raised eyebrows among critics and fans alike. The game’s development was also constrained by the need to balance nostalgia with innovation, a challenge that would ultimately define its reception.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Unlike the single-player campaigns of the main Destroy All Humans! games, Clone Carnage does not have a deep narrative or complex characters. The game’s storyline is minimal, focusing on the chaotic invasion of Earth by aliens in the late 1950s. Players take on the role of Furon aliens wreaking havoc on Earth, fighting against humans trying to repel their invasion and competing with each other. The game’s humor and satire are derived from its setting and the absurdity of the situations players find themselves in, rather than from a well-developed plot or memorable characters.

The game’s themes revolve around chaos, destruction, and the absurdity of alien invasion tropes. The 1950s setting allows for a rich tapestry of cultural references and satire, from the paranoia of the Cold War to the rise of consumer culture. The game’s humor is often derived from the contrast between the seriousness of the humans’ attempts to defend themselves and the sheer absurdity of the aliens’ methods of destruction. The game’s lack of a deep narrative is a deliberate choice, as it allows players to focus on the gameplay and the sheer fun of causing mayhem.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Destroy All Humans! – Clone Carnage is a third-person shooter that offers a multiplayer experience set in the Destroy All Humans! universe. The game features four multiplayer modes: Rampage, Armageddon, Race, and Abduction. In Rampage, players complete timed missions such as slaughtering cows, destroying tanks, or anally probing government agents. Armageddon is a free-for-all mode where players roam the battlefield for five and a half minutes, engaging in combat. Abduction and Racing modes are similar to those in the single-player game but adapted for multiplayer.

The game’s arsenal includes a variety of futuristic weapons and psionic powers, such as the Zap-O-Matic, Disintegrator Ray, and Anal Probe. Players can also take control of a flying saucer equipped with powerful weapons. The game’s controls are straightforward, with basic movement, a dash, a jump button, and a jetpack for temporary levitation. The game supports up to four players online and two players in local split-screen mode.

One of the game’s standout features is its customization options. Players can customize their alien’s appearance using skins from the Destroy All Humans! series, adding a layer of personalization to the multiplayer experience. However, the game’s lack of progression systems and unlockable content is a notable drawback. All skins and weapons are unlocked from the beginning, which can make the game feel shallow and repetitive over time.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Destroy All Humans! – Clone Carnage features high-quality graphics made in a colorful, exaggerated, and caricatured style known from the original series. The game’s visuals are a mix of the original’s pixelated aesthetic and modern enhancements, with some textures not loading as quickly as they should. The game’s maps are large and diverse, offering a variety of environments for players to explore and destroy.

The game’s sound design is solid, with a focus on voice-overs and the delivery of dialogue. The music is forgettable, but it fits the game’s B-movie aesthetic. The game’s sound effects are well-executed, with weapons and explosions sounding satisfyingly destructive. The game’s voice acting is a highlight, with the original cast reprising their roles and delivering the same sarcastic, deadpan humor that made the series famous.

Reception & Legacy

Destroy All Humans! – Clone Carnage received mixed reviews from critics and players alike. The game’s Metacritic scores ranged from 40 to 60, with critics praising its visuals and humor but criticizing its lack of content and online matchmaking issues. The game’s OpenCritic score placed it in the -1th percentile of games scored on the platform, indicating a generally unfavorable reception.

The game’s legacy is somewhat mixed. While it offered a fun, if limited, multiplayer experience for fans of the series, its lack of depth and content made it feel more like a paid demo than a full-fledged game. The game’s online lobbies were already deserted at launch, and its local multiplayer mode was the only way to enjoy the game with friends. Despite these drawbacks, Clone Carnage served as a stop-gap between the 2020 remake and Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed, and it offered a taste of the multiplayer suite that would accompany the solo experience.

Conclusion

Destroy All Humans! – Clone Carnage is a flawed but enjoyable multiplayer spin-off that captures the essence of the original series. Its humor, visuals, and sound design are all strong points, and its multiplayer modes offer a fun, if limited, experience. However, the game’s lack of content, progression systems, and online matchmaking issues make it feel more like a paid demo than a full-fledged game. Despite these drawbacks, Clone Carnage is a worthy addition to the Destroy All Humans! franchise, and it offers a unique multiplayer experience for fans of the series.

In the grand scheme of video game history, Destroy All Humans! – Clone Carnage is a minor entry, but it is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Destroy All Humans! series. The game’s blend of humor, chaos, and nostalgia makes it a fun, if imperfect, experience that will appeal to fans of the original games and newcomers alike. While it may not be a classic in its own right, Clone Carnage is a worthy tribute to a beloved franchise and a reminder of the joy that can be found in causing mayhem and destruction.