Undoubtedly inspired by dozens of 1950s "B" movies, especially the 1954 mutant-ant classic "Them!", It Came From The Desert is one of Cinemaware's finest creations that will challenge both your brain and your brawn.
As the town's resident geologist, your goal is to discover the source of all the strange occurances happening in Lizard Breath. Gameplay centers around choosing what you want to do by selecting an option on the multiple choice screens that pop up. There are several buildings in town, as well as farms, mines, an airport, and even a drive-in theatre. Since time ticks away quickly at one minute per second of real time, quick decision is key to success.
Once your investigation begins, you soon realize there are large, mutant ants roaming around the outskirts of town. These ants are dangerous, and you must fight them to survive with a handgun, an apparently infinite amount of grenades, and bug spray used in airborne attack. Knowledge of the movie "Them!" will help you kill the ants, but if you haven't seen the movie, don't despair -- you get hints when talking to the townsfolk.
While play might seem limited at first, there are dozens (possibly hundreds) of variations in the game, depending on the choices you make. Not only that, but there are many opportunities to find yourself in a fight, either with the ants, or with some of the not-so-friendly folk of Lizard Breath. You can wind up in a knife fight, or being chased across the desert by several hundred giant ants, or even playing chicken on the highway with the local greaser punks. With great graphics, rocking soundtrack, and tons of atmosphere, this is a must play for all action/adventure fans. Recommended! And better yet, Cinemaware has released the game as freeware in 2001, so go support one of the most underrated developers today :)
Review By HOTUD
Comments and reviews
I wish this would come out on ps 4 or 5 or play it on smart phone. I was always playing this as a 17 year old. I loved the geeky graphics and choices. Cheesy music too but it felt so 50s B movie it was great
those lovely cinemaware games, that regarded games as cinematic experiences. that was a genre in itself.
Just about to watch a 2017 film based on this game :)
It doesn't load all I get is the prompt, I think a command needs to be typed in but don't know what to type.... Any assistance would be appreciated.
Wish it would come out on iPad
I'm 13 and my dad showed me this game and I think it's pretty fun! Maybe it's just me, but I think there should be modern games like this for kids to enjoy!
I loved this game as a kid and used to play it all the time but I'm not a computer buff and get lost in the jargo of trying to download it and make it work. any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. its for a laptop with windows ten.
anyone manage to get this working on UAE4Droid or DOSBox Turbo nicely? DOSBox Turbo seems to have bad joystick support, and UAE4Droid has problems with fire buttons.
kindheitserinnerungen .. top
great game
one of the screens (this with an old man) is just from Lost Dutchman Mine!
Fantastic game with fresh idea ! One of the best games on Amiga 500.
Better play it on an amiga emulator. But this one is nice too.
Love playing this again, but it really makes me miss my old Amiga 2000!
No comment nor review for this game at the moment.