It Came from Space and Ate Our Brains review: An out of this world good time
By Devin Shea
There’s a game that came out of left field and knocked us out of this world and into outer space. It Came from Space and Ate Our Brains was a surprising indie release.
Developer: Triangle Studios
Publishers: All In! Games
Platforms: PS4 (reviewed), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating systems
Release Date: January 28th, 2020
Games these days have incredible, almost photo-realistic graphics and it’s practically expected now for a game to have those graphics to be considered good. However, games like Minecraft and the rise of amazing indie games have made simpler and retro graphics more acceptable and I think it’s great news. It Came from Space and Ate Our Brains kind of sneaked up on me as a release, but I didn’t expect it to be as amazing as it is.
It Came from Space and Ate Our Brains was developed by Triangle Studios and published by All In! Games. Aliens have landed and their favorite meal is human brains! You and up to three other players are all that stand in the way of the aliens and their all-you-can-eat brain buffet. Use a handful of different guns to make your way through different levels to defeat the otherworldly attackers.
The premise is super simple. The graphics are super simple. The mechanics are super simple…and this game is incredible. I love games that offer a couch co-op option and extra points go to ones that I can play with the whole family. It Came from Space and Ate Our Brains covers so many bases. Let’s break each thing down.
One of my favorite things about this game is how it looks. The animation is big and blocky but it is color scheme that is the best part about it. The aliens and everything that involves them is hot pink. The dark, blue tinted backgrounds of the roofs, clinic, sewers and forest is a stark contrast to the electric pink of the aliens and their technology. I love when you are at a choke point and a swarm of wonky-legged pink space men attack. As simple as the games graphics are, they are perfect for it.
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The game mechanics are extremely easy but they do take some getting used to. One thumbstick moves you and the other spins you and it’s not easy to maneuver at first. You have no way to aim besides where you shine your flashlight and you can hold your trigger button for constant shooting. There is no reloading and no limit on ammo. You are able to upgrade your weapons by collecting gold boxes and collect green boxes to snag a turret gun, shield etc. A five year old can maneuver this game but that doesn’t mean the game is easy. It is super easy to get overwhelmed and each level is a challenge, even on easy mode. As you beat a level, the next unlocks during the campaign and the same goes for survival mode.
The soundtrack for It Came from Space and Ate Our Brains is pretty incredible. It’s techno and spacey and gets erratic and intense during difficult parts of the game. Even during the easier parts, you still find yourself dancing in your chair as you make the aliens pay for their cranial Epicurean feasts. Speaking of the aliens, there isn’t a lot to them but I love their varied designs. The basic level-one alien design is just a blocky pink guy but the glitchy, level two alien reminds me of The Fresno Nightcrawlers with their big swinging legs…but upside down. There are froggy aliens and giant ones to add to the mix.
I wish this game was just a little longer because I had such a good time getting through the levels. I was able to play the game with my entire family and we all enjoyed ourselves equally, which is a rare quality with games lately. It Came from Space and Ate Our Brains is available on PS4, Xbox One, Steam and Switch now. Best get to protecting your brain!
9.5. While the controls could be improved, <em>It Came from Space and Ate Our Brains</em> is a colorful arcade-like experience that everyone in the family can play and have a good time while saving the planet and its inhabitants’ brains.. Triangle Studios. . It Came from Space and Ate Our Brains
A copy of this game was provided to App Trigger for the purpose of this review. All scores are ranked out of 10, with .5 increments. Click here to learn more about our Review Policy.