Designed like one of the many generic alien invasion movies of the 1950s, It Came From the Desert was a unique concept for a computer game that never completely succeeded. From one perspective, its shallow characterizations, dangling plot threads, and overall style emulated the period B-movies perfectly. As a game, however, the maddeningly difficult arcade sequences (including a uniquely designed--and practically impossible--wheelchair escape from a hospital) and overly complicated random design provide more frustration than entertainment. In terms of its novelty value, It Came From the Desert is a game like few others; unfortunately, aside from that novelty, there is little other reason to play it.