Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon

Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon
Developer(s) Sandblast Games
Publisher(s) THQ
Series Destroy All Humans!
Engine Unreal Engine 3[1]
Platform(s) PlayStation 3, Xbox 360[2]
Release date(s)
  • NA December 1, 2008 (X360 only)[3]
  • AUS February 12, 2009[4]
  • EU February 13, 2009[4]
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon is an action-adventure game developed by Sandblast Games and published by THQ. The game is set in the 1970s and is the fourth game in the Destroy All Humans! series, released December 1, 2008 in North America for the Xbox 360.[3][5] The game was developed by THQ's Sandblast Games studio for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles.[6] Path of the Furon expands on the open world format of the previous Destroy All Humans! games, with five new open worlds on the ground and in the air to obliterate with new weapons and new alien powers.

On November 26, 2008, the North American PlayStation 3 version was canceled citing "development issues".[7] However, the PlayStation 3 version was still released in Australia on February 12, 2009 and Europe on February 13, 2009 alongside the Xbox 360 release.[8]

Gameplay

Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon has over 30-story missions, 20 side quests, and multiplayer modes. As with previous games, most story missions can be played in non-linear order. Creative director Jon Knoles stated that the side quests would be related to the story, would also be creative, and "epic". Knoles added that the achievements are tied to statistic tracking in the game, and they are unique to the weapons and abilities found, allowing the player to experiment with different possibilities. For example, IGN noted that when the player takes the "Sunny" off of the Sunnywood sign they get a cutscene and one of the more creative achievements.[9][10] There are also challenges and mini-games that the player can return to repeatedly to better their score and collect more rewards. There are five new open-world locations based on Las Vegas ("Las Paradiso"), Hollywood ("Sunnywood"), Hong Kong ("Shen Long"), Paris ("Belleville"), and The 4th Ring of Furon.[11]

Multiplayer

This game features split screen offline multiplayer. Most challenges are player versus player, although one is co-op. The maps are scaled down versions of their single player counterparts. The games are Ion Soccer, where players use their ion detonators to shoot a ball into each other's goals, Brain-O-Matic, where players PK humans into a machine that will extract their brains for processing, and Abductorama, basically a competitive game of "keep away", in which the goal of the game is to abduct the ball, and keep it out of the reach of the other player until the player color fills up the bar, or get the bar filled up more than the other player and keep it like that until time runs out. There are no co-op single player missions, nor can you play through the story with co-op.

Plot

From Left to right The Master, Cryptosporidium (Crypto), Orthopox (Pox), and Emperor Meningitis.

Taking place after the events of Big Willy Unleashed, Natalya Ivanova's clone only had a four-year life span, and died several years before the game's events, leaving Crypto to lament over her death, while Pox is only reminded and annoyed by the fact that the emergency cloning chamber was used on a human, instead of him. After these events, Crypto 138, having resigned his presidency and gone into an alcoholic binge, has crashed his old saucer into the Space Dust casino's electronic ticker display while drunk, and was killed in the crash. After the crash, Pox has cloned Crypto 139, and they have taken over and re-opened the casino, called the "Space Dust," (A parody of Stardust Resort & Casino) which they use to maintain a steady flow of cash and human DNA. They discover that the local mob family sent a spy to gather information on them. Crypto infiltrates the mob's casino and destroys the interior, driving out the customers, causing the mob to go to war with him. He defeats the mob, destroying their profits and taking control of Las Paradiso.

Soon he begins hearing a voice instructing him in the paths of enlightenment and how to advance in those paths. As Crypto begins to discover the potential of his powers, strange creatures suddenly appear and attack. Pox identifies them as Nexosporidium Warriors (Nexos), who are supposedly extinct. Crypto manages to defeat them. In an act of desperation, Pox commands Crypto to destroy all of Paradiso, including the Space Dust, to erase any evidence of their being there. Crypto reluctantly does so, and they flee to Sunnywood.

In Sunnywood, the duo assume C. Curt Calvin, leader of the Lunarian Church of Alientology, to be another DNA harvesting Furon on Earth. To draw Calvin out, Crypto and Pox seek the help of local reporter Veronica Stone. Crypto rescues her after she is kidnapped by the Lunarians, and she tells him of an inside man in the Lunarian cult, known as Deep Naval. Crypto works out an agreement with Deep Naval to meet Calvin, but Deep Naval fails to fulfill his part of the bargain. Pox and Crypto then stage a "big alien arrival" at the Sunnywood Bowl to attract Calvin. Crypto confronts the cult leader and demands he show his true Furon form. Suddenly a Nexosporidium walker appears and steps on Calvin (this reveals that Calvin is actually a human). After defeating the walker, Crypto is shot in the neck with a dart and faints.

Crypto awakens days later in a monastery ran by a Furon martial arts expert known as The Master. After a confrontation, Crypto agrees to become The Master's new disciple. He reveals to Crypto that one hundred years ago imperial traitors marked Emperor Meningitis, supreme ruler of the Furon Empire, for death. He managed to stop the assassination, but was in turn marked for death. Fleeing to Earth, he crash-landed off the coast of China. He sought revenge, but soon realized eastern philosophies could help him improve his mental abilities, and so immersed himself in the ways of their culture, and in the process lost his desire for revenge. He built an academy, gaining followers to pass his knowledge down to. He took an apprentice named Saxon, who became power hungry, forming a triad to oppose The Master.

Crypto converses with The Master.

The Master instructs Crypto to hold a tournament to draw Saxon out, however Crypto arrives back at the monastery where he witnesses Saxon kill the Master. Enraged, Crypto tracks down and confronts Saxon, who tries to destroy Crypto with a mysterious dragon. Crypto interrogates the villain at gunpoint when Nexos show up but Saxon dies in the confusion, and Crypto escapes destroying the barge. Pox states that the nexos could only have been cloned on Earth, and that only one organization could accomplish such. Pox and Crypto then set off for Bellevile, France, home of Francodyne.

In Belleville, Pox and Crypto discover that Francodyne's CEO is Henri Crousteau. Crypto infiltrates Crousteau's mansion to confront him, but Crousteau escapes after stabbing him with a spiny fish. Pox and Crypto escape the mansion and learn Crousteau intends to create a virus to destroy the Furon DNA within the human genome. Crypto sets out to destroy his Nexo manufacturing operation. He causes a riot between the workers and destroys the Nexo laboratory. However, Crousteau still manages to create the virus and sends four Nexo walkers to distribute it into the river. Crypto destroys the walkers and faces Crousteau in a final battle at the Belleville tower. Upon defeating Crousteau, Crypto learns that he only wanted to destroy his own race to stop the planet from being polluted, that he was feeding the Nexos synthetic DNA, and that he wasn't responsible for the attack on the Space Dust. The Nexos that did attack were rogue ones responding to a signal from Furon. Crypto then realizes that the one truly responsible for his troubles was Emperor Meningitis himself. He and Pox set off for the Fourth Ring of Furon to confront the emperor.

Upon arriving, Crypto immediately attacks the palace in a blind rage. Enraged, the emperor kicks them out of the city and puts up a large shield. Pox and Crypto manage to deactivate it and re-enter the city. Pox reveals that since he once worked for the emperor his biometrics were still in the system, and would allow them to open the palace door. After doing favors for two Furon workers, a molder and the Librarian, Crypto and Pox download Pox's clone data from the imperial repository, and proceed to clone Pox a new body, becoming Orthopox 14. However the molder accidentally uses the wrong body mold, and Pox comes out of the machine with a simian appearance. Pox informs Crypto they'll need a distraction, and to start a human riot in the artificial human habitat. As the riot ensues, Crypto confronts Meningitis, defeating him, but the emperor disintegrates from old age before he can be interrogated.

The Master then reappears from the Jade Talisman Crypto inherited from him, revealing that he was the conspirator who set everything in motion. It was he all along who had been controlling the Nexos, introducing the synthetic DNA, and staging his own death. The Jade Talisman was really a cloning device used so that after Meningitis was defeated he could be smuggled in and become the new emperor. Crypto, shocked by what he has heard, becomes infuriated, and makes a motion to Pox. Pox then uses his strength to slam The Master against a wall, killing him. Crypto picks up a canister of synthetic DNA and tries it, but vomits at the horrible taste. Pox tells Crypto that as long as he cannot stomach the synthetic DNA their mission wasn't a sham, and there would always be a reason to destroy all humans! Crypto realizes that Pox is right, and decides to return to Earth. Pox then tells Crypto he isn't returning with him, and takes the throne. As Crypto leaves he states that he will see Pox in ten years. As he walks out of the palace, the other Furons begin running in, to greet their new emperor.

Characters

In addition to the return of Cryptosporidium, Orthopox and the Furon god Arkvoodle, the game features a cast of new characters that Crypto meets along his journey.

Voices and dialogue

Veteran voice actors J. Grant Albrecht and Richard Horvitz reprise their roles as Cryptosporidium and Orthopox respectively, and the musical score is performed by veteran composer Garry Schyman. According to the game's creative director, Jon Knoles, there are approximately 15,000 lines of spoken dialogue in the game.[10] There is more back and forth banter between Crypto and Pox, interactive conversations, and more human minds to read. There are between 30 and 50 thoughts for each human in the game and about 2000 in total.

Changes from previous installments

Furon technology and weaponry

Weapons such as the Ion Detonator will no longer harm Crypto. Almost all of the previous weapons have been redesigned. The Ion Detonator can now stick to both people and objects, and has a larger blast radius than in previous games. The Anal Probe can now lock onto more than one human. The jet pack has a longer-lasting battery, and controls differently. The Dislocator (introduced in Destroy all Humans! 2) also returns, firing pink gravity defying energy disks that fling people and objects in many different random directions. The player may now engage in "car surfing" via this weapon, and the disks are now pink, instead of purple as they were in Destroy All Humans! 2.

Some of the new weaponry includes the Tornadotron, the Plasma Cannon, the Black Hole Gun, and the Venus Human Trap. Another new weapon is the Superballer, which fires out a supercharged ball that homes in on targets sending them bouncing. With each bounce, the victim takes damage, and with each impact a shock wave is created that affects anything nearby. In a reference to one of the ubiquitous symbols of the 1970s (rainbows) the vapor trail creates a spectral refraction effect akin to a rainbow.

The saucer has been redesigned, as Crypto crashed the original saucer into the Space Dust casino while drunk. His saucer can now fly horizontally and vertically and aim in all directions. Crypto can use the saucer's weapons to scar buildings and terrain. These scars remain until a new mission is started, the player travels to a different location, or in the case of a building, until it's destroyed. The Quantum Deconstructor can now be charged. The saucer can abduct multiple humans, which are processed instantly. When abducted, humans slightly recharge the saucer's shields and also increase DNA.

Controls and gameplay

Due to streamlined controls, Crypto can shoot humans, use the jet pack, and activate Psychokinesis simultaneously. Crypto can now engage in aerial battles. There are now flying enemies, such as helicopters and Nexo saucers that can attack Crypto in his saucer. The player can travel to different locations "without ever leaving the game world"[13] Buildings collapse and scar differently when attacked with different weapons. The game features a modified alert scheme with police, SWAT, military awareness, and nexo alert. Electricity surges through power lines when damage is caused to them.[14] The player can now use Mental Lock as an accurate targeting system for circle strafing with a weapon. The player can exit and enter certain buildings freely during some missions, such as the Space Dust. The Master's monastery can be accessed at any time. There is also no fall damage in the game.

Psychokinesis

Psychokinesis is now mapped to its own trigger for easy access. Using it generates a large blue-purple glow around Crypto's hand. The Temporal Fist ability allows Crypto to stop time, manipulate objects, set up a powerful push, and then resume time. Objects can be given a directional impulse that causes the object to fly with greater force than a normal psychokinetic push once time has been resumed. PK magnet allows Crypto to magnetize any object in PK, causing several people or other objects to stick and form a ball of humans and debris. Crypto can now use Cortex Scan to prolong the life of his body-snatched victim, similar to the ability of Cortex Scanning humans to refill concentration and keep the holobob disguise active in the first game.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings(X360) 38.41%[15]
(PS3) 26.50%[16]
Metacritic(X360) 34/100[17]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1UP.comD[18]
Destructoid3/10[19]
Edge3/10[20]
Eurogamer2/10[21]
Game Informer4.5/10[22]
GamePro[23]
GameSpot4/10[24]
GameZone5/10[25]
IGN3/10[26]
OPM (UK)1/10[27]
OXM4.5/10[28]

Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon received negative reviews from critics. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the Xbox 360 version 38.41% and 34/100[15][17] and the PlayStation 3 version 26.50%.[16]

Reviews of the in-game soundtrack fared generally better. GameZone said, "The score still has that sci-fi B-movie feel with a heavy dose of '70s-styled funk and disco tossed in for good measure."[25]

References

  1. ↑ Anthony, Gallegos (April 4, 2008). "Destroy All Humans!: Path of the Furon (PS3)". 1up.com. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  2. ↑ "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon". THQ. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  3. 1 2 "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon for Xbox 360 Release Summary". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  4. 1 2 "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon for PlayStation 3 Release Summary". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  5. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (February 2, 2007). "Red Faction, MX to Return THQ lists six franchises for its fiscal future". gamepro. Retrieved 2008-12-17. – THQ CEO Brian Farrell mentions work on the Destroy All Humans franchise for the 2008 fiscal year.
  6. ↑ Gibson, Ellie (November 28, 2008). "Destroy All Humans PS3 coming to Europe". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  7. ↑ Faylor, Chris (November 26, 2008). "Destroy All Humans PS3 Cancelled". Shacknews. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
  8. ↑ Faylor, Chris (December 1, 2008). "Destroy All Humans! PS3 Not Cancelled in Europe". Shacknews. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
  9. 1 2 Ahearn, Nate (April 4, 2008). "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  10. 1 2 Goldstein, Hilary, Geddes, Ryan (April 1, 2008). "Destroy All Humans: Prepping for the Next Invasion". IGN. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  11. ↑ Chester, Nick (April 7, 2008). "THQ Gamer's Day: Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon impressions". Destructoid.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  12. ↑ Watters, Chris (April 4, 2008). "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon Hands-On". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  13. ↑ "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon Official Website". THQ. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  14. ↑ Knoles, John (May 28, 2008). "Far Out Alien Weaponry". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  15. 1 2 "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon for Xbox 360". GameRankings. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  16. 1 2 "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon for PlayStation 3". GameRankings. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  17. 1 2 "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  18. ↑ Hayward, Andrew (December 2, 2008). "Destroy All Humans!: Path of the Furon Review". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  19. ↑ Sterling, Jim (December 12, 2008). "Destructoid review: Destroy All Humans: Path of the Furon". Destructoid. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  20. ↑ "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon". Edge: 89. February 2009.
  21. ↑ Gibson, Ellie (February 13, 2009). "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon Review (Xbox 360)". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  22. ↑ "Destroy All Humans: Path of the Furon". Game Informer (190): 85. February 2009.
  23. ↑ Noble, McKinley (December 22, 2008). "Review: Destroy all Humans! Path of the Furon". GamePro. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  24. ↑ Thomas, Aaron (December 9, 2008). "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  25. 1 2 Valentino, Nick (December 9, 2008). "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon – 360 – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  26. ↑ Geddes, Ryan (December 11, 2008). "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon Review". IGN. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  27. ↑ "Destroy All Humans: Path of the Furon". PlayStation Official Magazine. April 2009.
  28. ↑ Lewis, Cameron (December 1, 2008). "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon". Official Xbox Magazine. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

External links

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