Destruction AllStars
Destruction AllStars is a vehicular combat game developed by Lucid Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was released for the PlayStation 5 on 2 February 2021. It received mixed reviews.
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Developer(s) | Lucid Games |
Publisher(s) | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
Director(s) | Colin Berry |
Designer(s) | Karl Jones |
Composer(s) | 2WEI, Tumult Kollektiv |
Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 5 |
Release | 2 February 2021 |
Genre(s) | Vehicular combat |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
According to Lucid Games, Destruction AllStars is a "global sports entertainment event where stars & cars collide". The player assumes control of one of 16 characters, referred to as AllStars, each of whom has access to unique hero vehicles. For instance, Hana's car is equipped with a retractable blade that can slice opponent vehicles in half, while Genesis' car is equipped with rocket boosters that give a massive speed boost and help deal more damage to opponent vehicles. The game is a vehicular combat game in which players need to seek ways to destroy the vehicles of the opponents.[1]
AllStars can also eject from their vehicles, whether it be voluntarily or upon destruction. This causes AllStars to be on foot in the arena, during which they are vulnerable to opponents' vehicles, though they can dodge them by jumping or rolling. To make up for it, each AllStar has unique skills that can turn the battle to their favor, in addition to the ability to jump onto an opponent's vehicle and either take over or instantly destroy it. For instance, Shyft has the ability to go invisible and render himself invisible to opponents' radar, while Lupita has the ability to leave a trail of fire on her path. While on foot, AllStars can also freely navigate the arena to collect shards on their way, set up retractable traps to defend themselves, or simply find another vehicle.[2]
Development and release
Lucid Games is the game's developer. Many of the game's project leads, including lead designer Karl Jones and Game Director Colin Berry, were involved in the creation of several titles from the Wipeout series.[3]
The game was announced on June 11, 2020, at the PlayStation 5 reveal event.[4] The game, along with other games releasing on the PlayStation 5, was the subject of controversy in September 2020, as Sony revealed that the game would retail at $69.99 at launch, a departure from the $59.99 industry standard price for AAA games during the eighth generation of consoles.[5] The game will be supported with new content and modes following release with free downloadable content.[6] The game was set to be released in November 2020 as a launch title for the PS5.[7] In October 2020, Sony announced that the game would be delayed to February 2021, and that it would be released for free for PlayStation Plus subscribers during the game's first two months of release.[8] The game received a paid digital release on April 6, 2021, for $19.99[9] and a physical release a day later on April 7, 2021.[10]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
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Metacritic | 62/100[11] |
Publication | Score |
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Destructoid | 6.5/10[12] |
Game Informer | 8/10[13] |
GameSpot | 5/10[14] |
IGN | 6/10[15] |
The game received mixed or average reviews upon release, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[11] Critics generally liked the core gameplay loop, the driving mechanic and the vehicular combat.[16][17] However, it was criticized for its lack of content and invasive microtransactions.[17][18]
Game designer David Jaffe, known for creating the Twisted Metal series, praised the game for its character roster and gameplay but criticized its online latency, lack of unlockables and limited level design. He gave it a rating of 7/10.[19]
References
- Rule, George (September 20, 2020). "Wreak havoc on foot and behind the wheel in this over-the-top car competition". PlayStation Blog. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- Gerbick, Jordan (September 30, 2020). "PS5-exclusive Destruction AllStars car smashing and character abilities detailed". GamesRadar. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- Yin-Poole, Wesley (June 12, 2020). "Destruction AllStars is a PS5 exclusive from some of the key people behind WipEout". Eurogamer. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- "Destruction Allstars Announced for PS5", IGN, 11 June 2020, retrieved 2020-06-11
- McWhertor, Michael (2020-09-16). "Sony confirms some PS5 games will cost $69.99". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- Croft, Liam (September 30, 2020). "Destruction AllStars on PS5 Finally Detailed, But No Gameplay Trailer". Push Square. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- "PlayStation 5 Launches in November, starting at $399 for PS5 Digital Edition and $499 for PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-Ray Disc Drive". PlayStation.Blog. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- Watts, Steve (October 26, 2020). "PS5 Exclusive Destruction All-Stars Delayed To 2021, Will Be A Free PS Plus Game". GameSpot. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- "Next on Destruction AllStars: Featured Playlists, Challenge Series, and more". PlayStation.Blog. 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
- "Destruction AllStars Will Get A Physical PS5 Release On April 7". GameSpot. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
- "Destruction AllStars for PlayStation 5 reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- "Review: Destruction AllStars". Destructoid. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
- "Destruction AllStars Review – Wrecking Havoc In The Arena". Game Informer. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- "Destruction AllStars Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- "Destruction AllStars Review". IGN. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- Cork, Jeff (February 2, 2021). "Destruction AllStars Review – Wrecking Havoc In The Arena". Game Informer. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- Candy, Simon (February 4, 2021). "Destruction AllStars Review". IGN. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- Yin-Poole, Welsy (February 4, 2021). "Destruction AllStars review - PS5's PS Plus freebie offers slick but shallow arcade racing carnage". Eurogamer. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- Jaffe, David. "Twisted Metal Creator REVIEWS Destruction Allstars!!!". YouTube. Retrieved 20 April 2022.