Destroy All Humans! is a satirical, open-world action game that debuted from Pandemic Studios and THQ. You control Crypto, a Furon clone collecting human DNA across stylized 1959 U.S. locations. The game blends sandbox mechanics with joke-driven storytelling, destructible environments, and an escalating alert system that can trigger police, military, and the Majestic. The series gained a cult following and saw modern remakes starting in 2020 that reintroduced the game to new platforms.

What Destroy All Humans! is

Destroy All Humans! is an open-world action-adventure that parodies 1950s American culture, politics, and pop life. Pandemic Studios developed the original game and THQ published it. You play as Cryptosporidium-137 ("Crypto"), a member of the Furon alien race, who comes to Earth to harvest human DNA.

The setup and tone

The game sets its story in a stylized 1959 United States and lampoons Cold War paranoia, suburban life, and pulp sci-fi. It borrows structural elements from sandbox titles like Grand Theft Auto - mission-based, free-roam gameplay and an escalating alert system - but it keeps its satire and slapstick over explicit gore. The ESRB rated the original T for Teen.

Crypto and the Furons

Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium-137) is a cloning-stage operative. The Furons once waged nuclear wars that left their species unable to reproduce sexually, so they rely on cloning. As clones accumulate, Furon DNA degrades; Crypto's mission is to collect human genetic material to preserve his species and help stabilize the cloning process.

Gameplay highlights

You have a mix of melee, ranged, and alien technology: the jetpack, a flying saucer for large-scale destruction, and a suite of extraterrestrial weapons and psionic abilities. Much of the environment is destructible, and humans react in different ways - some flee, some fight, and authorities escalate their response from local police to military units and the secretive Majestic organisation.

Levels and hubs

The original game sends Crypto across a variety of settings - rural farms, small towns, suburbs, and military bases - each with distinct mission types and targets. The Furon mothership serves as an orbital hub: you accept missions there, upgrade gear, and review unlocked extras.

Legacy and revival

The original built a cult following for its tone and cheeky mechanics. Interest revived when THQ Nordic commissioned modern remakes: a full remake of the first game appeared in 2020, and the franchise has seen additional remakes and re-releases since, bringing the series to modern consoles and a new audience.

Why it still matters

Destroy All Humans! stands out for combining open-world chaos with pointed satire. Its playable alien protagonist, destructible settings, and period parody give it a unique place among mid-2000s action titles - and the remakes have kept it relevant for players who missed the original run or want a modernized experience. 1
  1. Confirm original release platforms and dates for the 2005/2006 releases (PS2, Xbox, PC).
  2. Verify the exact number of distinct locations/levels in the original 2005 game.
  3. Confirm the release years and platform details for the 2020 remake and subsequent franchise releases.

FAQs about Destroy All Humans

Who is the playable protagonist in Destroy All Humans!?
You play as Cryptosporidium-137 ("Crypto"), a cloning-stage operative of the alien Furon race sent to Earth to harvest human DNA.
What era and tone does the game use?
The game is set in a stylized 1959 United States and uses satire to lampoon 1950s culture, Cold War fears, and pulp sci-fi tropes.
How does the game’s alert system work?
As you cause mayhem, an alert meter rises. Higher alerts bring tougher responses - from local police to military units and the secretive Majestic organisation.
Is the original game still available on modern platforms?
Modern remakes and re-releases, beginning with a 2020 remake, have brought the game to contemporary consoles and PCs, making the franchise accessible to new players.
What makes Destroy All Humans! unique?
Its combination of open-world sandbox gameplay, destructible environments, an alien point of view, and sharp 1950s satire sets it apart from other mid-2000s action titles.

News about Destroy All Humans

Destroy All Humans turns 20: they don't make 'em like this anymore - GAMINGbible [Visit Site | Read More]

'Destroy All Humans!' declared war on humanity 20 years ago, and we're still waiting for another good sequel - Space [Visit Site | Read More]

The making of destroy all humans! - 10 Apr 2025 - Retro Gamer - UK Magazine - Readly | All magazines - one magazine app subscription [Visit Site | Read More]

20 Years Ago, A Cult Classic Open World Game Transformed A Beloved Sci-Fi Genre - Inverse [Visit Site | Read More]

Destroy All Humans! Review - TheSixthAxis [Visit Site | Read More]

The Double-A Team: Destroy All Humans offered a lovely bit of light anarchy - Eurogamer [Visit Site | Read More]