Pesky humans. I can't say you didn't have it coming. Last year, THQ and Pandemic unleashed a different kind of third-person shooter with Destroy All Humans!, a game that put you in the shoes of a troublesome Martian out to make short work of the human race. This game turned shooting formula on its ear not only with its storyline, but also with its play abilities, ranging from mental powers to alien weaponry that made short work of the 50's police and military. The last we saw of Crypto, the game's main anti-hero, he was taking presence in the White House, ready to rule over the human race.

But nothing lasts forever. In the dawn of the 60's, a Russian missile suddenly wipes out Crypto's home base, killing Pox (his helper) and everyone on board. Suddenly, Russian agents are popping up all over the place, prompting the start of a Cold War. If that's not enough, bothersome hippies have begun marking their own place in the populace, bringing weak DNA and causing threats that mark a set-back on your planet rule. And so starts Destroy All Humans! 2, where Crypto has to take over the world...again. Sigh, and you'd think that he'd be prepared for something like this. If that's not enough, Crypto also has to face off against the US military, panicked townsfolk, and even a few nagging alien forces, jealous of his rule of the planet.

Pandemic knows what worked well in the first game, and a lot of that gameplay remains intact here. Crypto is able to attack his human threats with some inspired weaponry. Such weapons include his trusty Disintegrator and Zap-O-Matic, as well as new toys such as the Meteor Attack and the Dislocator. The Dislocator is a powerful pulse gun that can send objects (and people) flying with ease, while the Meteor Attack speaks for itself. Point at a target, think for a few seconds, and then drop a big ass rock on them. You don't mess with a Martian and his meteor, pal.

Along with his strong firepower, Crypto has some mental strength that comes in handy. Along with being able to read the minds of his enemies and wipe away their thoughts (just in case they've seen you in your alien form), Crypto can also inhabit human bodies. This replaces the hologram program that was featured in the first game, letting you control someone in real-time. And you'll need to do this to gather vital information during your missions- they're not going to talk to aliens. Not being frightened and all, anyway.

Regarding the missions, they follow a more free-flowing style this time around. Since you don't have a home base to report to anymore (damn Russkies), you have to keep an eye open for specific mission markers. With the sequel, Pandemic has spread about locations, so you don't have to stay in the same ol' Bay City for the duration of the game. You can visit other worldwide locales, ranging from Albion to Takoshima Island, in your quest to wipe out the human threat. Along with the main story missions, you'll be able to complete new side missions and unlock new landing points for your UFO.

Speaking of your UFO, you're able to climb back in and blast enemies from afar yet again. You can use your lasers to bring down tall building structures and obliterate a string of enemies in one shot, and you can also pick up vehicles and capture humans. One new ability that's worth mentioning is being able to drain vehicles and items of their power in case you're running low on energy. This is a nice touch, as it gives you more "cruising" time in your mighty space vessel. Some might prefer the on-foot antics of Crypto, but the choice is yours.

Crypto is also able to upgrade himself more this time around. With the help of a fuzzed-out image of Pox (who continuously chews you out for letting this happen), you're able to gain info on your missions, as well as visit a virtual space shop where you can purchase new abilities and weapons. Pox also keeps you notified as to which areas need to be cleaned up. This opens up the game's free-flowing mission structure, as you don't have to keep going back up to a spaceship to get new missions. A lot of people should enjoy this new-found tempo.

One of the first game's strengths is its jabs at its era, and the sense of humor it keeps throughout. The second game should continue this, with plenty of 60's references and dialogue that seem to be taken right out of an episode of Laugh-In. Destroy All Humans! 2 will have plenty of trademark items to keep in touch with its decade, including flowery vans that you can blast to bits and swirly flowers that may leave you a little bit trippy yourself. Whoa, man, the colors...

Probably the biggest addition to the game will be the help of a second player. That's right, Destroy All Humans! 2 will allow two players to team up for total human dominance. Players can work together to complete missions while trying to top each other with the higher kill count. This will work via split-screen, and the details look to be just as sharp in this mode as in single-player. Even better yet are mini-games that will allow the aliens to compete in some interesting challenges. The only one we know about thus far is PK Tennis, where you use your mind to keep a ball in play. Hey, who doesn't like a game of mental tennis? Besides hippies, anyway.

Most sequels pale in comparison to their original efforts, but Destroy All Humans! 2 looks to be right on task of beating the first game. Between its new mission structure, the two-player options, and its involving (and humorous) story, Crypto's latest should kick some serious ass when it arrives later this year. Any game that lets you play mental tennis and blast hippies in the same game can be considered a must-have. Even for pesky humans.