It Came from the Desert

Cinemaware
Industry	Video game development and publishing
Founded	1985
Headquarters	United States
Products	It Came from the Desert, Antheads: It Came from the Desert II

It Came from the Desert is an action-adventure title launched in 1989 by Cinemaware, initially developed for the Amiga. Subsequent adaptations brought the game to MS-DOS and various console platforms, with the TurboGrafx-16 edition offering a unique style of gameplay and visual presentation. A follow-up expansion named Antheads: It Came from the Desert II was released in 1990.

The game takes its thematic cues from 1950s monster cinema, especially drawing from the 1954 giant-ant film Them!. Its title also nods to the 1953 horror classic It Came from Outer Space. The gameplay merges nonlinear, dialogue-heavy sequences with diverse action segments, a hallmark of Cinemaware’s design approach.

Gameplay

On the Amiga and DOS platforms, It Came From the Desert integrates Point & Click adventure mechanics alongside first-person shooter and top-down action segments. The emphasis lies on investigative tasks and time-sensitive exploration rather than traditional puzzle-solving. In contrast, the Sega Genesis version adopts a top-down shooter format reminiscent of Ikari Warriors.

Plot

The player assumes the role of Dr. Greg Bradley, a geologist who arrives in Lizard Breath, California, on June 1, 1951, to examine a meteor impact site. Bradley uncovers that radiation has caused local ants to grow to monstrous proportions. Facing disbelief from townsfolk, he must collect proof by exploring locations such as mines, farms, a tavern, an airstrip, and a radio station to alert authorities and contain the outbreak.

Effectively combating the giant ants involves utilizing all available assets, including National Guard tanks and fighter aircraft.

The narrative unfolds in real-time over a span of 15 in-game days concluding on June 15. Activities like resting, waiting, and traveling consume time. Failure to eliminate the ants before this deadline leads to their expansion and an unfavorable ending. To secure the optimal conclusion, players need to find and destroy the queen ant within the colony.

Release

Originally launched for the Amiga in 1989, It Came From the Desert was later adapted for multiple prominent platforms. In early 1991, Cinemaware issued an MS-DOS port (developed by Level 9 Computing shortly before their closure in June), closely replicating the original aside from slight palette variations.

A Sega Genesis/Mega Drive edition was planned for release in 1990 but ultimately cancelled. This version featured a more open-ended overhead shooter experience with distinctive mechanics such as crafting powerups by assembling machine parts. The storyline diverged significantly, casting players as Buzz, a teenage pest control worker who creates improvised weapons instead of the scientist protagonist. Matt Harmon, formerly of Black Pearl Software, revealed that this Genesis adaptation was nearly complete (99%) prior to cancellation. Although it never reached commercial shelves, it was later made available as a ROM image through Cinemaware’s website for use with console emulators. Despite sharing similar camera angles with computer versions, this iteration employed entirely original graphics.

In 2014, Cinemaware collaborated with WaterMelon—the creators of Pier Solar—to develop a cartridge edition called Extended Cut, which included new cutscenes, multiple endings, an introductory sequence, and expanded gameplay features; however, it had not been released as of April 2016.

Both the original game and its expansion are accessible on Steam within the Cinemaware Anthology bundle.

TurboGrafx-CD

The 1991 TurboGrafx-CD edition, overseen by director David Riordan and co-created by Interactive Pictures alongside First Light Entertainment, utilized CD-ROM technology to deliver a blend of live-action full motion video and illustrated action scenes. The gameplay includes side-scrolling battles against ants within tunnels, while the overhead combat sequences incorporate reused graphics from the original computer release. Notably, the narrative was extensively revised: players assume the role of Buzz Lincoln, a rebellious local teenager resistant to the ant queen’s mental domination, who leads a resistance against her insect army.

Reception

In the July 1990 issue of Games International, reviewer John Scott commended the game for its high replay value, emphasizing that uncovering all subplots necessitates several playthroughs, thereby increasing its longevity. He awarded both gameplay and graphics a score of nine out of ten, praising the visuals as "top-notch" and highlighting the outstanding audio quality. When evaluating the sequel Antheads, Scott remarked that it bore too close a resemblance to its predecessor but felt its affordable price justified its status as an expansion.

Computer Gaming World characterized It Came from the Desert as "one of Cinemaware’s most enjoyable releases," underscoring its engaging gameplay and overall appeal. The follow-up Antheads earned Computer & Video Games magazine’s game of the year distinction.

In 1991, PC Format included It Came from the Desert in its list of the 50 greatest computer games ever made, attributing its lasting charm to a quintessential 1950s B-movie storyline paired with attractive graphical presentation.

Expansion pack

The original title was succeeded in 1990 by an expansion pack titled Antheads: It Came from the Desert II (known in North America simply as It Came from the Desert II). This add-on required possession of the base game and was once again directed and designed by David Riordan. Distribution occurred through European retail channels and mail order within North America.

Legacy

The game inspired a parody in Space Quest IV called "It came for Dessert," humorously replacing the ant antagonist with a cake-bearing woman and a corpulent man.
A substantial spin-off was incorporated into four secret missions named "It came from Red Alert" within the 1996 release Command & Conquer: Red Alert, featuring confrontations with giant ants.
In 2015, Cinemaware partnered with Roger! Pictures to develop a film adaptation directed by Marko Mäkilaakso, which was filmed during 2016 in Spain’s Tabernas Desert and Rodalquilar locations.
A spiritual successor entitled It Returned to the Desert launched on February 15, 2023 for Windows via Steam and Itch.io. This new installment merges turn-based tactical combat with point-and-click adventure elements.

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