YOU ARE THE MONSTER for PC (Early Access)

Ever wanted to be a giant monster rampaging through a city? Experience mindless chaos as you destroy all in your path, earning new abilities, new monsters and new ways to wreak havoc. There are few things more cathartic in this life than a videogame that just lets you smash a load of stuff up. In that regard, It’s a profoundly uncomplicated experience. No need for complexity, as it turns out—simply walking into things smashes them aside, whether they’re cars, scenery, or civilians. Causing havoc is practically unavoidable. The more destruction caused, the more levels are gained, unlocking—what else?—even more ways to destroy stuff.

Each monster comes with three special attacks that can be upgraded further. At first, abilities like a ground slam that crushes everything nearby or a sprinting charge that sends obstacles flying feel like overkill. But once the city starts fighting back, they become surprisingly essential. One thing giant monsters apparently have in common with GTA protagonists is a wanted level in YOU ARE THE MONSTER.

The more destruction inflicted, the stronger the response from the authorities becomes, starting with police and SWAT teams before escalating to tanks, drones, snipers, and airstrikes at YOU ARE THE MONSTER. Of course, these abilities are useful for wiping out dense groups of enemies, but it often makes sense to save some for emergencies. Smashing through a crowd to recover health can be the difference between survival and defeat.

The Kraken’s ability to vacuum people directly into its maw proves particularly useful in those situations. With the right balance of aggression and caution, surviving a full 13 minutes of rampaging is entirely possible, enough to complete a round in YOU ARE THE MONSTER. The reward? A nuclear bomb dropped directly on the monster’s head—a unique way to end the level while providing a bit of karmic balance for all the destruction left in its wake. There’s really no question who the villain is in this scenario.