5 Video Games That Let You Destroy Everything

There's something sickeningly satisfying about being able to crack a whip and tear apart a creation brick by brick, knowing full well that, in the virtual world, repercussions cease to exist. It's a feeling that many of us pursue, for sure, and something that, quite frankly, video game developers love to capitalize on. Because let's face it, who doesn't love to destroy pixelated objects, right?

Anyway, if you, like us, enjoy toppling over buildings and causing something of a ruckus whenever the opportunity presents itself, then you'll be pleased to know that there are, in all honesty, an abundance of such opportunities out there on the market. So, the next time you feel like, well, destroying the world, be sure to give these five manic sandbox chapters a whirl.

5. Destroy All Humans

Have you ever wandered what it'd be like to pilot a UFO and embark on a global quest to eradicate all of humanity? Of course you have — it's a passing thought that the vast majority of us have entertained at least once. And, it's a thought that Destroy All Humans has been building on ever since 2005, mainly by infusing timeless comedy into fast-paced and ludicrously entertaining playable experiences.

Destroy All Humans is quite simple, really. As Crypto, a quick-witted alien with a vast array of otherworldly weapons, your goal is to, well, destroy all humans. Over a jam-packed selection of ridiculously destructible levels, you'll have the opportunity to slaughter, probe, and crumble at will. How you approach each level, of course, is entirely up to you. Think Cold War-era alien invasion movies — but with a heavy helping of slapstick comedy and god-awful one-liners. That's Destroy All Humans, in a nutshell, and it is well worth the time.

4. Katamari Damacy Reroll

Katamari is a one-of-a-kind third-person puzzle-action series that sees you controlling a katamari, which is, in essence, a ball of everyday items. As this cluster of inanimate objects, your goal is to snowball your way around the city, and work towards meeting certain perimeters set to you by The King of All Cosmos.

Of course, you won't be setting any buildings alight, per se, but you will be absorbing them, along with tons of garden furniture, gnomes, and even farm animals. It's elementary in nature, and yet perhaps one of the most addictive series of all time. And so, if you're in the mood to watch a cow snowball into a skyscraper, then be sure to tuck into any of the Katamari chapters. Like, any of them.

3. Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction

Mercenaries might be a little dated compared to the likes of other destruction-based games, but where it lacks in graphics, it most definitely makes up for in unadulterated fun and creativity. And while you could get a similar amount of kicks out of, say, Just Cause — Mercenaries brings a lot more to the table, specifically through its destructive playgrounds and sandbox modes.

Mercenaries debuted back in 2005, with Playground of Destruction lighting the way for the mayhem-riddled open world saga. In it, players are tasked with venturing across an alternate version of North Korea on a mission to bring one of four opposing factions to power. Along the way, the playable mercenary can wreak havoc on anything and everything, making the whole of North Korea one huge demolition derby. And the best part is, you are the wrecking ball that gets to flatten the arena.

2. The Incredible Hulk

Given the fact that The Incredible Hulk's defining feature is his ability to destroy anything that basically moves, it make sense that his games — all three of them — would go on to showcase such a thing in all its glory. And if there's one thing we know about Hulk, it's that buildings, no matter how big or small, are always more fun to crush when you're packing two mighty green clobbering fists.

Of course, the narrative behind each Hulk game may be a little, shall we say, uninspired. But as far as gameplay goes, the series really hits the nail on the head, and often provides a ridiculous amount of replayability. And so, if you're in the mood to vent your anger towards something, and just so happen to have an Xbox 360 lying about, then at least now you know where your next port of call is.

1. Minecraft

In order to destroy something from the top down, one must first learn to build it from the ground up. And on that note, Minecraft provides lessons like they're going out of fashion. Thanks to Mojang creating one of the biggest sandbox games of all time, there has been an abundance of wondrous worlds and euphoric creations over the years. Creations that, when all's said and done, usually come tumbling down just as soon as its builders gets bored with them.

Of course, Minecraft doesn't just give you the tools to build; it also gives you the tools to destroy. With a trusty pickaxe and an endless world of blocks and resources, you're basically given full control over, well — everything. It's your world, and you can make whatever you wish out of it, be it a monumental metropolis, or a quaint oceanside village. Whatever it is you build, just know that you can destroy it…and then some.

So, what's your take? Have you had the chance to play any of the above five yet? Do you have any games to recommend to us? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.