Some of the Destroy All Humans remake differences are not difficult to spot, as the game looks remarkably better than the 2005 original. But some of the changes are more subtle, despite the game being a fairly faithful remake. So what is new in the Destroy All Humans remake? What is different? Remember that there might be some confusion surrounding this game as THQ Nordic released a straight port of the 2005 original on PS4 in 2016.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | Visuals
This is the most obvious new addition to the remake. The game’s visuals have been completely redone from the ground up and while it doesn’t look like the best 2020 games, it sure looks more sophisticated than it did in 2005. Environments are more colorful and the humans, while they can a look a tad grotesque, are more detailed. Crypto’s model looks better, too, and even has new pulsating suction cup-like features on the back of his head. You can see some of these differences in the above picture. Some levels even have different and night versions.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | Overhauled controls and increased functionality
While the visuals are immediately apparent upon looking at the game, the new controls are the most striking part when you start playing. Crypto has been completely redone and almost all of his abilities have been tweaked. All of the psychic powers can be used without locking on first, including things like brain extraction and psychokinesis. Psychokinesis also just requires one button now (you release it to fling the object instead of pressing another button to do so) and can be used while flying. You can also now jump and pick up stuff when using the Holobob.
The jetpack is also much better as it doesn’t sputter, which allows for a more consistent glide. It’s also more reactive and gives you more in-air control.
The saucer is a lot more streamlined, too. It can now aim right beneath you by pressing L2 or LT, depending on your system, which allows for better artistic expression as seen in the above picture. The Abducto Beam now acts somewhat like your psychokinesis as you can now fling objects at each other. You also no longer have to swap to the Abducto Beam to use it; it’s just on L1 or LB.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | New on-foot and saucer abilities
And while some abilities are from the old game, some are straight up new or from the sequel. Both Crypto and the saucer can use Transmogrify to turn objects into ammo, which was in Destroy All Humans 2. Many of the weapons now have alternate functions as well. For example, the Anal Probe can be upgraded to have two probes out at once and the Ion Detonator can transmogrify some items into ammo. It even lets Crypto reposition a poorly aimed bomb with his psychokinesis. Crypto can now dodge and, once you buy the upgrade, hold the same button down skate around on some hoverboots.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | Skating
These hoverboots are such a big addition that they deserve their own paragraph. The first part of this tree allows you to skate around after a dodge but the final upgrade lets you infinitely coast around, which makes traversal more fun and involved. The hoverboots are responsive and can make getting around the battlefield and racing drones a cinch. It can even make some main missions easier since you can also use your psychokinesis while skating. It’s a fantastic ability that should be expanded upon in the likely sequel.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | More extras
While not as extensive as a documentary or interviews with the original creatives, this remake features more concept art you can scroll through. It’s in Pox’s ship.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | Cosmetic skins
There are a slew of skins you can equip in the game. There are a few you can get (or possibly purchase at a later date) by pre-ordering along with a handful you can unlock in the game. One is a damaged Crypto-136, another is a classic Crypto, one is Death from Darksiders 2, and the final one is a cow. You get these by completing main missions or doing specific optional objectives.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | New probe locations
This is small, but the probes not only look slightly different in this remake but are also places around the map. The maps themselves are ever so slightly changed so it’s not too big of a surprise but if you’re trying to track them all down, old guides won’t help. It is worth stating that there is little reason to hunt down all the probes since there are no trophies or achievements associated with them and you shouldn’t need all that extra DNA since the game showers you in it anyway.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | Different and more involved side missions
The side missions in the original are painstakingly basic. Collect four brain stems. Kill some farmers. Boring. The remake now has four sets of side missions in each world: Armageddon, Race, Abduction, or Rampage. They task you with wrecking things in your ship, racing a drone, tossing specific things in a huge abduction ray, and destroy certain people or objects as Crypto, respectively. They have tiered rewards and dole out more DNA for each star ranking you achieve. Getting three stars in every one of these missions nets you the Mandatory Option trophy, which you can read more about in our trophy guide.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | Trophy list
Speaking of trophies, the game has a radically different list from the 2016 re-release. This game’s platinum trophy is significantly easier and way less grindy. The re-release’s platinum requires a ton of checklisty stuff to do while the remake is more natural and evenly paced. The above picture shows some of the new trophies on the top with a few of the re-release’s trophies on the bottom.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | New deleted mission
The remake does have one new main mission. This is the Mission 13.5, which is formally titled “The Wrong Stuff.” It sends you into Area 42 to tamper with the saucer prototype the humans are working on. It’s nothing special but a good nod nonetheless since it was cut from the original.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | Optional objectives
Like some of the Assassin’s Creed games from Brotherhood to Rogue, Destroy All Humans‘ main missions have optional objectives. These are pretty easy for the most part and will task you with simple things like shooting a certain amount of cop cars or blowing up certain structures. Some are quite difficult, but they give some added replay value and something to strive for. Thankfully, the game keeps track of these on the left side of the screen.
Destroy All Humans Remake Differences | New upgrades
This remake also has around three times the amount of purchasable upgrades than the original. You buy them the same way — with DNA in Pox’s ship — but they are much more creative and grand in scope. They’ll completely change how a weapon works and some are even new to the game, like the skating mechanic. These give the game a better sense of pacing since you almost always have something new to buy.
