Destruction AllStars
{{short description|2021 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}{{Infobox video game
| title = Destruction AllStars
| image = Destruction AllStars cover art.jpg
| caption =
| developer = Lucid Games
| publisher = Sony Interactive Entertainment
| director = Colin Berry
| series =
| designer = Karl Jones
| composer = 2WEI, Tumult Kollektiv
| platform = PlayStation 5
| released = 2 February 2021
| genre = Vehicular combat
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Destruction AllStars is a vehicular combat video game developed by Lucid Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 5. It was released on 2 February 2021 to mixed reviews.
Gameplay
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.{{cite web|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/29/slam-smash-and-boost-your-way-to-fame-in-destruction-allstars-coming-to-ps5/|title=Wreak havoc on foot and behind the wheel in this over-the-top car competition|first=George|last=Rule|work=PlayStation Blog|date=September 20, 2020|accessdate=October 15, 2020}}
AllStars have extremely fluid movements and are very agile, with the ability to seamlessly transition from one vehicle to another by ejecting from their vehicles, whether it be at the push of a button 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ps5-exclusive-destruction-allstars-car-smashing-and-character-abilities-detailed/|title=PS5-exclusive Destruction AllStars car smashing and character abilities detailed|first=Jordan|last=Gerbick|work=GamesRadar|date=September 30, 2020|accessdate=October 15, 2020}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-12-destruction-allstars-is-a-ps5-exclusive-from-some-of-the-key-people-behind-wipeout|title=Destruction AllStars is a PS5 exclusive from some of the key people behind WipEout|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|work=Eurogamer|date=June 12, 2020|accessdate=October 15, 2020}}
The game was announced on June 11, 2020, at the PlayStation 5 reveal event.{{Citation|title=Destruction Allstars Announced for PS5|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ps5-destruction-allstars|language=en|website=IGN|date=11 June 2020 |access-date=2020-06-11}} 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.{{Cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=2020-09-16|title=Sony confirms some PS5 games will cost $69.99|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/16/21440546/ps5-launch-games-pricing-playstation-5|access-date=2020-09-20|website=Polygon|language=en}} The game will be supported with new content and modes following release with free downloadable content.{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/09/destruction_allstars_on_ps5_finally_detailed_but_no_gameplay_trailer|title=Destruction AllStars on PS5 Finally Detailed, But No Gameplay Trailer|first=Liam|last=Croft|work=Push Square|date=September 30, 2020|accessdate=October 15, 2020}} The game was set to be released in November 2020 as a launch title for the PS5.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=PlayStation 5 Launches in November, starting at $399 for PS5 Digital Edition and $499 for PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-Ray Disc Drive|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/16/playstation-5-launches-in-november-starting-at-399-for-ps5-digital-edition-and-499-for-ps5-with-ultra-hd-blu-ray-disc-drive/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=PlayStation.Blog|language=en-US}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps5-exclusive-destruction-all-stars-delayed-to-2021-will-be-a-free-ps-plus-game/1100-6483750/|title=PS5 Exclusive Destruction All-Stars Delayed To 2021, Will Be A Free PS Plus Game|first=Steve|last=Watts|work=GameSpot|date=October 26, 2020|accessdate=October 26, 2020}} The game received a paid digital release on April 6, 2021, for $19.99{{Cite web|date=2021-02-25|title=Next on Destruction AllStars: Featured Playlists, Challenge Series, and more|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/02/25/next-on-destruction-allstars-featured-playlists-challenge-series-and-more/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=PlayStation.Blog|language=en-US}} and a physical release a day later on April 7, 2021.{{Cite web|title=Destruction AllStars Will Get A Physical PS5 Release On April 7|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destruction-allstars-will-get-a-physical-ps5-release-on-april-7/1100-6489536/|access-date=2021-04-15|website=GameSpot|language=en-US}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| Destruct = 6.5/10{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-destruction-allstars-618867.phtml|title= Review: Destruction AllStars
|website=Destructoid |accessdate=2021-01-15}}
| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/destruction-allstars-review/1900-6417640/|title=Destruction AllStars Review |website=GameSpot |accessdate=2021-03-04}}
| GI = 8/10{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/destruction-allstars/destruction-allstars-review-wrecking-havoc-in-the-arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203231738/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/destruction-allstars/destruction-allstars-review-wrecking-havoc-in-the-arena|url-status=live|archive-date=February 3, 2021|title=Destruction AllStars Review – Wrecking Havoc In The Arena |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=2021-03-04}}
| IGN = 8/10{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/destruction-allstars-review|title=Destruction AllStars Review |website=IGN |date=4 February 2021 |accessdate=2021-03-04}}
}}The game received mixed or average reviews upon release, according to review aggregator Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/destruction-allstars/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Destruction AllStars for PlayStation 5 reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=February 5, 2021}} Critics generally liked the core gameplay loop, the driving mechanic and the vehicular combat.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/destruction-allstars/destruction-allstars-review-wrecking-havoc-in-the-arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203231738/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/destruction-allstars/destruction-allstars-review-wrecking-havoc-in-the-arena|url-status=live|archive-date=February 3, 2021|title=Destruction AllStars Review – Wrecking Havoc In The Arena|first=Jeff|last=Cork|magazine=Game Informer|date=February 2, 2021|access-date=February 5, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/destruction-allstars-review|title=Destruction AllStars Review|first=Simon|last=Candy|work=IGN|date=February 4, 2021|accessdate=February 5, 2021}} However, it was criticized for its lack of content and invasive microtransactions.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-02-04-destruction-allstars-review-ps5s-ps-plus-freebie-offers-slick-but-shallow-arcade-racing-carnage|title=Destruction AllStars review - PS5's PS Plus freebie offers slick but shallow arcade racing carnage|first=Welsy|last=Yin-Poole|work=Eurogamer|date=February 4, 2021|accessdate=February 5, 2021}}