Synopsis: Dominate the glittering global phenomenon of Destruction AllStars – the spectacular prime-time sport for dangerous drivers! Master the art of intense vehicle-based combat through timing, tactics and skills to cause colossal amounts of damage, destruction and devastation in vibrant arenas across the globe.

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Reviewed on: PS5
Also available for: N/A

Developer: Lucid Games
Cast: Bruce Buffer, Michael Schwalbe, Federico Louhau, Osy Ikhile, Brian Herring, Andrew Morgado, Diomargy Nunez, Acushia Tara Kupe, Andia Winslow, Mark Daugherty, Jusara Marques, Amali Minter, Angela Malhotra, Kamal Khan, Kathreen Khavari, Darrell Brown, Joe Jameson

Do you remember Destruction Derby on the PS1? Smashing cars into one another, that’s good fun. Imagine Destruction Derby with some Overwatch inspired heroes, a special ability or two and some Titanfall wall-running. That’s Destruction AllStars. It’s the first big PS5 exclusive game for 2021, and one that has launched as part of PlayStation Plus which is great for those looking for a new PS5 exclusive to play early in 2021.

You’ve probably played a game like Destruction AllStars before, even if you haven’t played Destruction Derby. Although there are four multiplayer modes in the game, the goal of smashing into your opponent’s cars remains the same in each. With a simple flick of the right stick on your DualSense controller, you’ll be able to boost forward or send your vehicle darting sideways to smash into your opponents. Watch them fly into barricades and break into pieces, or damage them and see another car come in for the clean-up KO. However, what makes AllStars more than just another Destruction Derby is the implementation of unique characters, each with their own hero car, and the ability to get out of your vehicle at any point.

Every mode starts with you picking one of sixteen characters and then dropping into the arena on foot… Being able to master the parkour element of Destruction AllStars is just as important as the driving. You can sort-off attack other players on foot with what’s called a ‘breaker’ ability, but I haven’t had much luck. Everyone’s super nimble so unless you’re playing as Lupita who can start a fire behind her by running with her breaker, get back into a car.

Each of AllStars‘ characters has a unique car… You’ll need practice with any one hero to be able to play them to their strengths.

Destruction AllStars has two solo competitive modes and then two team-based competitive modes… However, it’s the final team-mode “Carnado” where I’ve spent most of my time and think the game is at its best.

In Carnado you’re once again, of course, smashing into opponents cars… Losing a haul of fifty or eighty gears is heartbreaking, and you’ll feel like a fool if you risk your haul too long. But if you’re like, you’ll want the extra style points for always shooting that big pointer.

For those wanting a single-player experience, there are a handful of options here… The Challenge Series’ are also where the characters and story of Destruction AllStars is being expanded on via cutscenes and interactions between the AllStars themselves.

After you finish any match, you’ll get reward with XP towards your overall progression rank… Developer Lucid Games have stated that Destruction AllStars will be getting Seasons in the future as well as new characters and features. So hopefully the launch of the first Season could add a battle-pass-like system of gear to be chasing.

Being a PS5 exclusive Destruction AllStars uses all the systems extra features and looks real nice… Like any multiplayer game these days, it’s hard to truly judge Destruction AllStars until a couple of months after its release.