Summary

Release Year: 1991
Genres: Adventure, Point-and-click, Puzzle
Platforms: DOS, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Publishers: Access Software, Nightdive Studios

Tex Murphy: Martian Memorandum (1991): A Sci-Fi Noir Masterpiece

In the year 2033, San Francisco is a dark and dangerous place. The city is plagued by crime, corruption, and a growing sense of unease. It is in this dystopian setting that we meet Tex Murphy, a private investigator with a knack for getting into trouble.

Tex is hired by Laura Reilly, the beautiful daughter of a university professor, to investigate her father’s death. What starts as a simple missing person’s case quickly spirals into something much more sinister. Tex soon discovers that several other prominent members of the scientific community have also died under mysterious circumstances.

As Tex digs deeper, he uncovers a web of conspiracy and intrigue that reaches the highest levels of government. He learns that a group of rogue scientists are planning to use a powerful new technology to take over the world.

With the help of his loyal companion, Chelsee Bando, Tex must race against time to stop the scientists and save the world. But can he do it before it’s too late?

Gameplay

Tex Murphy: Martian Memorandum is a point-and-click adventure game with a heavy emphasis on story and character development. Players take control of Tex Murphy and explore a variety of locations, talking to characters, solving puzzles, and uncovering clues.

The game’s interface is simple and intuitive, with all of the necessary commands available at the bottom of the screen. Players can click on objects to examine them, talk to characters by clicking on their portraits, and use inventory items by dragging them onto objects in the environment.

Puzzles

The puzzles in Tex Murphy: Martian Memorandum are challenging but fair. They require players to think outside the box and use their wits to solve them. Some of the puzzles are inventory-based, while others require players to use their knowledge of the game world to find solutions.

Characters

Tex Murphy is a well-developed and engaging protagonist. He is a flawed character, but he is also intelligent, resourceful, and determined. He is also a bit of a ladies’ man, and he is always ready with a quip or a flirtatious remark.

Chelsee Bando is Tex’s loyal companion and confidante. She is a skilled hacker and a valuable asset to Tex’s investigations. She is also a strong and independent woman, and she is not afraid to speak her mind.

The supporting cast of characters is also well-developed and memorable. Each character has their own unique personality and motivations, and they all play an important role in the story.

Setting

Tex Murphy: Martian Memorandum is set in a dark and futuristic San Francisco. The city is a melting pot of cultures and technologies, and it is home to both great wealth and great poverty. The game’s setting is both atmospheric and immersive, and it helps to create a sense of realism and danger.

Story

The story of Tex Murphy: Martian Memorandum is well-written and engaging. It is full of twists and turns, and it keeps players guessing until the very end. The game’s story is also thought-provoking, and it raises important questions about the nature of power and the dangers of unchecked ambition.

Graphics

Tex Murphy: Martian Memorandum was one of the first adventure games to use digitized actors for its character portraits. This gave the game a more realistic and immersive feel than its predecessors. The game’s backgrounds are also well-rendered, and they help to create a sense of atmosphere and place.

Sound

The sound design in Tex Murphy: Martian Memorandum is excellent. The game’s music is atmospheric and immersive, and it helps to create a sense of mood and tension. The voice acting is also top-notch, and it brings the characters to life.

Overall

Tex Murphy: Martian Memorandum is a classic point-and-click adventure game that is still enjoyable today. The game has a well-written story, engaging characters, challenging puzzles, and a dark and atmospheric setting. If you are a fan of adventure games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Tex Murphy: Martian Memorandum.