Game Overview
Developer: Brandon Hesslau
Publisher: Brandon Hesslau
Platform: Windows (reviewed)
Release Date: May 20, 2025
ESRB Rating: N/A
Price: $4.99
Links: Steam | Official website
Is it strange to feel nostalgic for an operating system? This isn’t about missing specific features or settings that have been phased out. Instead, it’s about a yearning for the vibe of the interfaces that defined your childhood, an appreciation for design trends from a bygone era.
I had thought that this kind of nostalgia would skip over me. However, my encounter with Desktop Survivors 98 changed my mind. This new title, inspired by the gameplay of Vampire Survivors, immerses players in a world that mirrors the aesthetics of late 1990s Windows machines. What initially captivated me was its retro 256-color presentation, but the skillful mouse-controlled gameplay kept me engaged throughout the week.
Setting the Scene
Desktop Survivors 98 excels at replicating the classic ‘90s computer experience. The visuals are heavily inspired by iconic Windows symbols, with familiar items like My Computer, Calculator, and Minesweeper appearing to have been lifted straight from a vintage Microsoft tile set. The game’s low-resolution backgrounds and window designs evoke a nostalgia that is hard to resist.
The game’s charm is also embedded in its many small references to old computing practices. This includes a faux Start menu for navigation and a settings window adorned with classic Visual Basic controls. Other nostalgic touches include an item shop reminiscent of a teenager’s first Geocities page and a “boss mode” icon that instantly minimizes the game. If the game sits idle for too long, it even transitions to the old Mystify screensaver, highlighting the developers’ affection for the vintage Windows environment.
While the nostalgia might carry the game initially, it wouldn’t hold up as a mere fifteen-minute demo. The gameplay itself elevates the genre by introducing unique elements that enhance the traditional Survivors formula.
The core mechanics revolve around maneuvering through swarms of enemies and dodging their attacks. Players must corral these foes together to exploit the firepower of their auto-firing weapons. Defeated enemies drop collectible gems that are essential for unlocking new weapons and abilities, many of which cleverly incorporate nostalgic computing references. A standout weapon even draws from the “flower box” screensaver, while another plays off the imagery of the bouncing cards at the end of a Solitaire game.
What differentiates Desktop Survivors from its genre counterparts is the reliance on mouse controls. Players directly control their character through the old-school mouse pointer, allowing for precise movements through enemy clusters, effectively leveraging the versatility of this input method.
Game Dynamics
Though a Steam Deck mode exists for those preferring analog stick movement, transitioning back to this method can feel restrictive after the liberated experience of mouse navigation. Years of using a mouse condition users to effortlessly navigate tight spaces, reinforcing the game’s focus on mastering movement.
The game features single-screen arenas for battles, a departure from smoothly scrolling levels. These arenas lack significant obstacles, resulting in a similar feel across different enemy rooms. Players can often avoid adversaries simply by freely moving their pointer, leading to comical enemy formations.
Optional boss rooms introduce a dynamic shift, presenting clever and engaging retro-themed enemies that launch assorted projectile patterns. Successfully navigating these areas demands quick, careful movements, raising the game’s difficulty and reinforcing the “survivors” theme.
However, progressing to a stage where players can handle these bosses can be a challenge. A strict timer ejects players from each room, limiting opportunities to gather the necessary gems for weapon and item upgrades effectively. This adds a layer of strategy, requiring rapid enemy defeats to build momentum toward powerful upgrades, although some weapons may not support this approach as effectively as others.
Despite some balancing concerns, the joy within Desktop Survivors 98 is undeniable. The frenetic energy of maneuvering a mouse through pixelated hordes and witnessing the screen erupt in vibrant low-res explosions delivers an exhilarating experience that surpasses mere nostalgia. The extensive variety of unlockable weapons and enhancements encourages players to continue exploring long after the initial thrill.
Just ensure to activate that boss button in time if you want to avoid getting distracted!
