It Came from the Desert (TurboGrafx-CD) Playthrough
2Playthrough of NEC's 1991 interactive movie/adventure game for the TurboGrafx-CD, It Came From the Desert.
(1:18:09 Bad ending when the ants has not been stopped in time)
NEC’s 1991 release of It Came From the Desert for the TurboGrafx-CD blends elements of interactive movie storytelling and adventure gaming to create a uniquely immersive experience. Inspired by the B-movie science fiction of the 1950s, the game centers around a small desert town overrun by giant mutant ants following a meteor crash. As a geologist investigating the strange occurrences, players must navigate a web of dialogue, exploration, and action sequences to uncover the truth and save the town from destruction.
The game leverages the TurboGrafx-CD’s capabilities to deliver cinematic visuals and audio, utilizing animated cutscenes and a full voice-acted cast to draw players into its quirky, atmospheric world. The aesthetic captures the campy yet eerie tone of classic sci-fi, blending melodramatic character interactions with a genuine sense of urgency. The setting is brought to life with detailed environments, from dusty roads and laboratories to the ominous ant-infested caves, each contributing to the narrative’s tension and progression.
Gameplay combines point-and-click exploration with a variety of mini-games and action sequences, offering diverse mechanics to maintain engagement. Players must gather clues, speak with townsfolk, and make critical decisions, all while managing time, as events unfold on a strict timeline. This sense of real-time progression adds a layer of pressure, encouraging careful planning and strategic thinking. The action sequences, including shooting down giant ants and dodging obstacles, provide bursts of intensity that punctuate the slower-paced investigative segments.
It Came From the Desert stands out for its ambitious storytelling and integration of multiple gameplay styles. It weaves humor and suspense into its narrative, creating a campy yet gripping experience. While the controls and pacing may feel dated to modern audiences, the game remains a fascinating example of how the TurboGrafx-CD pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling. Its mix of charm, creativity, and variety makes it a memorable entry in the evolution of adventure games.