The beloved kaiju brawler Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee is set to return with a remaster developed by the original team at Pipeworks. This new version aims to recapture the chaotic fun of the 2002 PlayStation 2 and GameCube title while introducing modern enhancements, including online multiplayer.
Pipeworks has not simply upscaled the original game's assets. The monsters and the environments they inhabit have been significantly improved, running on Unreal Engine 5. Players can now experience stages in both day and night cycles, adding visual variety to the city-smashing action. The development team's involvement ensures the remaster feels faithful to the spirit of the original game, which was a fixture for many players in the early 2000s.
Gameplay previews highlight the immediate sense of joy the title evokes. In one-on-one multiplayer, players can step into the role of various iconic monsters. Ghidorah, for instance, despite lacking arms, features versatile kicks, a potent beam attack, and the ability to use its necks to grab and slam opponents. Attacks feel impactful, with players clearly feeling the weight and damage of incoming blows from the lumbering beasts.
Matches can be fiercely contested, with even close victories leaving little of the cityscape intact. The roster includes classics like Godzilla 2000 and original MechaGodzilla. Godzilla 2000 relies on strong tail attacks and a powerful atomic breath capable of immense damage and significant knockback, while MechaGodzilla presents a formidable ranged opponent. The combat emphasizes destructive environmental interactions, such as hurling buildings at foes.
Beyond the core combat, the remaster will feature an improved unlock system, allowing players to acquire monsters, locations, and gallery items in any order they choose. The addition of online multiplayer is poised to be a major draw, enabling friends to engage in monster-on-monster battles without needing to be in the same physical location. This feature is expected to be a key element for players looking to reignite the competitive spirit of the original.
While hands-on time with the remaster was brief, the experience left a strong desire for more, suggesting that Pipeworks is on track to deliver a satisfying revival of a cherished kaiju game. The prospect of online play is particularly exciting, promising a way to share the city-destroying mayhem with a wider audience when the game launches later this year.