Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

It Came from the Desert delivers a varied gameplay experience that balances adventure exploration with pulse-pounding action sequences. As Dr. Greg Bradley, players traverse the dusty streets and rugged terrain around Lizard Breath, collecting clues and talking to townspeople to unravel the insect invasion. The adventure sections are presented in a fairly linear fashion, guiding you through a string of key objectives that ensure you’re always moving forward toward the next big revelation.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

What really sets the gameplay apart are the three distinct action modes: first-person bug shooting, top-down overhead blasting, and a high-speed chase. Each mode feels purpose-built to evoke B-movie thrills—spraying your pistol at giant ant swarms in first person, mowing them down with a jeep’s mounted gun from above, or dodging obstacles in a desperate late-game getaway. While each segment is brief, the shift in perspective keeps the pacing fresh and prevents monotony.

Despite its tight structure, the game also offers light resource management and inventory puzzles. You’ll need to decide which tools to carry—flashlights, health packs or special ammo—before heading into dangerous areas. This layer of decision-making adds a modest degree of tension, especially when you’re low on supplies and facing waves of oversized arthropods. Overall, the gameplay loop strikes a satisfying balance between investigation and mayhem.

Graphics

Visually, It Came from the Desert embraces a retro aesthetic that pays homage to early ’90s DOS titles and the monochrome thrills of 1950s B-horror cinema. The character portraits and town interiors are rendered in bold, cartoonish pixel art, evoking old sci-fi posters with exaggerated shadows and bright, unnatural hues. Far from sophisticated, these visuals nonetheless succeed in capturing the pulpy charm of the source material.

The outdoor environments—ranging from dusty desert roads to eerie meteor crash sites—are well-crafted with parallax scrolling and atmospheric detail. The alien bug enemies are suitably menacing, featuring oversized mandibles and jerky, uncanny animations that drive home the sense of otherworldly threat. Cutscenes and dialogue windows use simple sprite swaps and text overlays, but they feel true to the era and reinforce the game’s cult-classic vibe.

That said, the graphics occasionally show their age: collision detection in overhead shooter segments can feel inconsistent, leading to frustrating deaths. Some background tiles also repeat noticeably, breaking immersion in otherwise striking vistas. Still, these are minor quibbles; for many players, the period-authentic style will be a deliberate draw rather than a detraction.

Story

Rooted in the golden age of B-movie sci-fi, the narrative of It Came from the Desert is wonderfully campy while retaining enough suspense to keep you invested. You step into the shoes of Dr. Greg Bradley, the eager geologist whose curiosity about a fallen meteor quickly turns into a nightmare. From the moment you discover the first mutated ant, the game leans into its homage, complete with cheesy one-liners and ominous radio broadcasts warning of “giant killer insects.”

The story unfolds through conversations with townspeople, newspaper clippings, and environmental clues scattered across Lizard Breath. Each new discovery, whether it’s an abandoned mine or a secret lab, deepens the mystery and raises the stakes. You’ll find yourself racing the clock to stop an impending ant army while piecing together who—or what—is behind the infestation. Despite the occasional cliché, the plot hits all the right beats for fans of retro horror.

Character development is minimal but effective: townsfolk have distinct personalities, from the panicked sheriff to the eccentric inventor, and their dialogue adds flavor to your quest. While you won’t find sweeping plot twists or profound moral dilemmas, the narrative remains consistently engaging. If your tastes lean toward fast-paced thrills over deep storytelling, this outing will satisfy your craving for cheesy thrills and pulpy suspense.

Overall Experience

It Came from the Desert is a loving tribute to mid-century monster movies wrapped in an action-adventure package. Its greatest strength is the way it blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and varied shooting sequences into a cohesive whole. The pacing keeps you on your toes, and each gameplay mode feels distinct enough to avoid fatigue. Whether you’re a retro-gaming enthusiast or simply a fan of B-horror nostalgia, there’s plenty here to enjoy.

On the downside, modern players may find the controls slightly clunky—especially during the fast-paced chase scenes—and the linear structure leaves little room for open-ended exploration. Save points can be sparse in some of the more dangerous zones, leading to repeated runs through earlier areas after an unexpected ambush. However, these challenges also contribute to the game’s old-school charm, providing genuine moments of tension and relief.

In the end, It Came from the Desert stands out as a memorable, genre-bending experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Its colorful graphics, lively soundtrack, and earnest homage to 1950s sci-fi create an atmosphere that’s hard to resist. For anyone intrigued by mutant insect invasions, classic horror tropes, or the thrill of arcade-style shooting wrapped in an adventure narrative, this game is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10