It Came From Space and Ate Our Brains Review – Loads of Fun with Friends

Who does not appreciate some top-down shooter action, especially with up to three of your favorite buds in a split-screen local co-op?

It Came From Outer space and Ate Our Brains is the latest from Polish developer All In! Games, and while the top-down twin-stick genre has taken on some increasingly impressive innovations, namely from games such as RUINER, Livelock, Neon Chrome and Helldivers to name a few, It Came From Outer Space and Ate Our Brains plays it safe with a simple pick up and play formula. 

My first playthrough in where I faced-offed alone against the relentless brain-eating hordes has players beginning in a roof-top setting. Thankfully equipped with a trusty flashlight and pistol to dispatch the earlier baddies eager to taste my brain juice, the game is presented with a cool neon-lit mood of sorts, almost encouraging you to stay clear of the maps darker areas while you are in a constant state of evasion, as you press forward.

As with most games of this type, initially, enemy swarms are rather light and manageable, until eventually, you’re fighting for any bit of wiggle room to keep the horde in front of each trigger pull. The game offers various difficulties settings such as Easy, Medium, Hard, and for you glutens punishment the Insane option awaits. 

While the tension will certainly excite players, don’t expect to be scared as the games’ art style is supported by a compelling paper machete theme. As straightforward as the gameplay design can get, the level design is on par almost to a fault. Sure, levels may manage to differ from locale to locale, with a few convenient obstacles, which aid in giving players more breathing room, yet the lack of more dynamic flair can cause the game to suffer from feeling repetitive. 

Adding to the experience, players are assisted by unlocking new weapons by destroying glowing boxes offering currency, giving players the means to equip an assortment of killing options. 

The games arsenal consists of a six-gun option, supported by rapidly firing rifles, a laser gun, a shotgun option, as well as a rocket launcher. For the most part, selecting the weapon with the highest fire rate is a no-brainer, especially while playing solo. However, in cooperative mode, it feels good being that guy toting the explosive rocket launcher. While each weapon can offer a degree of pleasure, the importance of moving forward can quickly force players to stick with what works best according to their playstyle. 

Impressively, each weapon can be upgraded to a max level. However, once you complete a level you are re-introduced to your trusty pistol, needing to acquire and upgrade your weapons all over again for the next level. I enjoyed this as it gave me something to work for with each level. Oh and don’t worry, each weapon comes with unlimited ammo once acquired. 

The playing field can be rewarding as temporary upgrades like fully maxed out weapons can be found, alongside mines, turrets, shields and force fields. 

Once you die and trust me, you will die, your high score is revealed, followed by your max multiplier, number of kills, shots fired, deaths and favorite weapon or most used weapon before meeting your end. In this way, the game maintains your standing performance, baiting your competitive nature to outlast your previous playthrough.

It Came From Outer space and Ate Our Brains offers six levels, consisting of rooftops, alleys, a cave, a clinic, sewers, and a riverside level. To maintain a mood of tension and the use of dramatic lighting as showcased with enemies and the environmental surroundings, each level is played at night. This was never a problem for me, however as mentioned before, the inclusion of a more dynamic environment would certainly add the games elementary formula. What does add to the games’ increasing fun factor is the ever-present soundtrack which does a fantastic job emphasizing the need for survival. 

Despite the somewhat varied levels, the contrast of each level does not convey a dramatic visual impression. All the more reason for the use of more dynamic elements. Even the games pacing could be a snore-fest for some as the enemies of the game never speed up their approach on the more easier difficulties. Yet, the harder the difficulty, the faster enemies will swarm you. This becomes thrillingly obvious while playing on the ‘Insane’ difficulty. 

It Came From Outer Space and Ate Our Brains is a lot of fun, and even more so with friends. As you desperately finesse for each opening while constantly pulling the trigger to stay alive, this uncomplicated formula is quite enjoyable. The game may start very slow, and as mentioned before lack in the variety department however, the longer you last and complete levels the more you will appreciate what is on offer.