Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure

About

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure is a single player puzzle game with thriller, comedy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Big Finish Games and was released on May 8, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure (developed under the working title Project Fedora) is the upcoming sixth game in the Tex Murphy series of detective adventure games, developed by Big Finish Games and published by Atlus. Like the previous three games, it will tell much of its story through live-action full-motion video sequences, and feature freely explorable 3D environments during gameplay.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure screenshot

+10

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,006 reviews

story210 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

Strong nostalgic appeal for fans of the Tex Murphy series with returning characters and actors
Humorous, witty dialogue and cheesy, entertaining FMV sequences
Engaging detective noir story set in a cyberpunk future with several puzzles and multiple endings

Dated graphics and some poor quality 3D environments with occasional clipping issues
Stealth sections and some puzzles can be frustrating or tedious, with some pixel hunting required
Dialogue choices are often vague and some story points feel convoluted or underdeveloped

story
521 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
57%
3%
The story of "Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure" is widely praised for its engaging, atmospheric blend of film noir, sci-fi, and dark comedy, with intriguing mysteries and branching paths that offer replayability. While the narrative sometimes becomes convoluted, overly complex, or uneven—especially in later stages—it maintains a strong nostalgic charm through its humor, character interactions, and full-motion video sequences. Despite some pacing issues and cheesy acting, the story remains the heart of the game and a compelling reason to play, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers.
- “Tesla effect: A Tex Murphy adventure, developed and published by Big Finish Games, is a revival of a classic adventure franchise that blends film noir storytelling, full-motion video performances, and first-person puzzle exploration into a distinctly retro-modern experience.”
- “The result is a project that feels both defiantly old-school and uniquely ambitious, combining cinematic storytelling with hands-on investigative gameplay.”
- “The game is amazing in many ways: the atmospheric cyberpunk future it provides combined with the 80-70s elements that works perfectly; the soundtrack that easily immerses you in this unique world; the very interesting characters that can hardly be forgotten even if they don't play a huge role in the story; and speaking of that, the story itself is a very interesting one that plays on more than one tone (emotions, sci-fi, secret sides of characters, twists to the story in every turn, etc.).”
- “If I had only played the first half of the game, I would have stayed satisfied, but the game just dropped the ball in the last half and nearly ruined the entire game for me, with the only thing that kept me going was to find out the ending for the story.”
- “The story is all over the place, after a while it just assumes you know your Tex Murphy games and suddenly introduces many characters and concepts that feel out of place.”
- “It had potential, but with frustrating stealth mechanics, convoluted story-telling, and dangling plotlines with no resolution or relevance to the story - I cannot in good conscience recommend this game.”
graphics
229 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
65%
14%
The graphics of Tesla Effect are widely regarded as dated and primitive, resembling styles from early 2000s or even late 90s games, which some players find off-putting or unimpressive given the 2014 release. However, the full-motion video (FMV) sequences with real actors are consistently praised for their quality, high resolution, and charm, providing a nostalgic, film-noir aesthetic that many fans appreciate. Despite technical limitations and modest budget constraints, the graphics serve the game's storytelling and atmosphere well, appealing primarily to fans of classic FMV adventure games rather than those seeking cutting-edge visuals.
- “The cinematic scenes are in HD and look great and the in-game graphics are above average.”
- “The acting and the green-screen effects deliver the same B-movie aesthetic that made Under a Killing Moon and Pandora Directive so memorable, except everything looks so much better.”
- “It's just like the originals, but with far, far improved visuals.”
- “It looks like crap considering it came out in 2014 (Far Cry 4, Evil Within, Destiny, and the Thief reboot all came out that year). The graphics are on par with a game that would have come out in 2008.”
- “The graphics show their age, and don't show it well.”
- “These are some of the laziest graphics I have seen developed for a PC game since the start of Steam.”
humor
199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of cheesy, tongue-in-cheek, and dry noir wit, largely delivered through Tex Murphy's sarcastic internal monologues and charming over-the-top acting. Fans appreciate its nostalgic, self-aware comedic style, rich in puns, references, and campy detective clichés, though some find it forced or clunky. Overall, it adds a fun, entertaining layer to the mystery, balancing seriousness with lighthearted, often goofy moments that define the game's unique atmosphere.
- “Tex’s internal monologues, delivered with dry humor and self-aware wit, anchor the tone firmly in noir tradition while preventing the atmosphere from becoming overly grim.”
- “The actors who played the original characters reprise their roles here, and immediately become the stars of the show through some genuinely funny writing and a massive amount of charm.”
- “Chris Jones is great as Tex Murphy and has an innate knack for delivering groan-inducingly bad dialogue in a way that's actually funny and charming.”
- “The game tries to include some comedy which is simply not funny whatsoever; the package as a whole is just poor.”
- “I think these were supposed to be funny parts from the originals, but without their context I didn't find them funny at all, just strange and confusing.”
gameplay
171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
70%
8%
The gameplay of Tesla Effect is a nostalgic blend of classic point-and-click adventure mechanics and first-person exploration, featuring puzzle-solving and investigative elements integrated with full-motion video storytelling. While many appreciate its charm, humor, and narrative-driven experience, critiques note dated mechanics, occasional frustrating puzzles, and uneven pacing—particularly in the latter half—resulting in a gameplay style that is enjoyable mainly for fans of traditional adventure games and FMV titles.
- “The game starts to struggle around day 8, where character interactions vanish and the core gameplay, while serviceable, feels barebones with some particularly cheap moments.”
- “The gameplay eventually becomes burdensome, with numerous insta-deaths, annoying backtracking, and tedious events that forced me to look up a guide due to how frustrating it became.”
- “Awkward and unpredictable stealth mechanics that result in frequent player deaths, detracting significantly from the overall gameplay experience.”
music
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
28%
5%
The game's music consistently receives high praise for its catchy, atmospheric, and genre-fitting compositions ranging from jazzy noir to orchestral scores, effectively enhancing the immersive neo-noir and cyberpunk ambiance. While some note a few audio balance issues and limited ambient track variety, the soundtrack is widely regarded as a standout feature, often described as integral to the game's nostalgic charm and overall enjoyment. Many reviews highlight the memorable themes and soundtrack availability as additional positives.
- “As for Tex Murphy in general, it's great detective adventuring with fantastic neo-noir ambience; every piece of music and the pleasant, sarcastic voice of Tex are as good as it gets.”
- “'Tesla Effect's very professional orchestral musical score sounds fantastic.”
- “From jazzy noir styled tunes to an epic orchestral ending, this game's soundtrack is really good.”
- “And the ambient music in some parts of the game is a bit too loud compared to Tex's voice.”
- “In one area, there's really loud music playing and none of the sliders except master volume could change that.”
- “Well, the same can't be said for the music.”
atmosphere
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
36%
7%
The game delivers a distinct and memorable atmosphere, blending classic noir and cyberpunk elements with dry humor and engaging storytelling, reminiscent of titles like Blade Runner. While some graphics and technical aspects feel dated, the detailed environments, atmospheric sound design, and well-crafted characters strongly immerse players in its unique world. Overall, the mood is consistently praised for creating an engrossing, charming, and sometimes "epic" noir experience that enhances the narrative and gameplay.
- “Tex’s internal monologues, delivered with dry humor and self-aware wit, anchor the tone firmly in noir tradition while preventing the atmosphere from becoming overly grim.”
- “The game is amazing in many ways: the atmospheric cyberpunk future it provides combined with the 70s-80s elements that work perfectly, the soundtrack that easily immerses you in this unique world, the very interesting characters that are hard to forget even if they don't play a huge role in the story, and a compelling story with multiple tones including emotions, sci-fi, secret sides of characters, and twists at every turn.”
- “I don't normally play puzzle-solving or murder mystery games, but this game is phenomenal with a nice atmosphere that really immerses you into the gameplay and the world; a fantastic storyline combined with the game itself leaves you with a masterpiece.”
- “Atmosphere is absent.”
- “Poorly designed sets that are lacking atmosphere; unbalanced interaction areas; incomprehensible, impossible to follow dialogue mechanic; pointless p.i.”
- “The graphics are dated, the puzzles are tired and old, the atmosphere is dull and extremely basic, the story isn’t anything special, and the controls could be better.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
64%
18%
The game offers multiple story paths and endings, which provide a moderate level of replayability, especially for players interested in exploring different choices. However, replay value tends to diminish after completing all endings, with some reviewers feeling it is limited overall. Players who enjoy branching narratives and detective stories may find worthwhile replay potential.
- “Multiple endings encourage replayability, rewarding players who experiment with different conversational approaches.”
- “The game has multiple paths and outcomes, giving you a lot of replay value.”
- “There are a few ways to play this game and whatever ending you get depends on the choices you made which definitely makes it replayable.”
- “The big issue with both of these is that the game isn't exactly replayable.”
- “Replay value is close to zero.”
- “I would certainly not pay 20 dollars for it, as it has little to no replay value, but if you like detective stories, or you want to relive the era of FMV cutscene storytelling, pick this up when it goes on sale.”
optimization
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
The game's optimization is mixed and somewhat underwhelming, with occasional performance issues despite its relatively simple and aged graphics. While the 2K resolution FMV and acting are generally well-executed, the overall performance feels inconsistent and occasionally embarrassingly unpolished.
- “The FMV in Tesla Effect is done very nicely in a stunning 2K resolution with great acting performances from both the old cast and the new.”
- “Considering the aged and simple graphics, the game's performance is embarrassing.”
- “TL;DR: Decent adventure game, under 12 hours to beat, mixed quality of graphics, questionable optimization.”
- “Tl;dr: decent adventure game, under 12 hours to beat, mixed quality of graphics, questionable optimization.”
- “And the game's performance, considering the aged and simple graphics, is embarrassing.”
- “Some of the actors are either not professionals or just mailing in their performances (similar to what we saw in UAKM).”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in this game is often described as tedious and frustrating, with slow pacing, excessive pixel-hunting, and obtuse puzzle requirements that disrupt the flow. Many players found certain sections, especially in the later parts, to be overly drawn out and repetitive, sometimes necessitating walkthroughs to progress. While some puzzles are logical and enjoyable, the overall grinding detracts from the experience for many.
- “The game becomes completely tedious and annoying after a certain point, with numerous insta-deaths that ruin the flow of gameplay, alongside maps with frustrating backtracking and events that forced me to look up a guide due to how tedious things became.”
- “The walking mechanic is tedious because the player character is too slow.”
- “There are many frustrating and tedious logic puzzles that break the mood of the story, feeling disconnected from the narrative and seemingly included just to lengthen gameplay.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
91%
9%
The emotional aspect of the game is praised for its heartfelt performances by returning actors and charming, quirky characters that evoke nostalgia and genuine warmth. While some criticize the story as vague and clichéd, many find the live-action elements and throwback humor create a sincere, emotional experience that resonates deeply with longtime fans.
- “Longtime fans will recognize returning actors reprising their roles, lending continuity and emotional resonance to the narrative.”
- “Emotional beats are delivered through both dialogue and performance, giving weight to character relationships beyond simple plot mechanics.”
- “Live actors, especially likable ones with a good script to work with, add so much emotional depth to a game that just can't be delivered via 3D models.”
- “This game was a tragic pile-up of incredibly vague dialogue choices, badly clichéd characterization, lame sexist jokes, and an overall boring story with no mystery.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's stability is mixed, running smoothly overall with occasional graphical glitches and minor bugs that don't significantly impact enjoyment. However, some players report buggy movement, slow navigation in 3D environments, and a notably sluggish and glitchy UI on certain platforms. Despite these issues, the game remains largely playable.
- “Sure, the environments look like they came from the early 2000s, but it runs great and honestly it didn't hinder my enjoyment.”
- “Runs great with few bugs.”
- “Other than ladders seeming a bit awkward to climb, all other motion controls work fine with no glitches or getting stuck.”
- “Some graphical glitches here and there, including a few green screen errors and one instance where the background behind a character shifted all around.”
- “The 3D environments are ugly and travelling around them is slow and often buggy.”
- “The only really bad part of the game is the horribly buggy and sluggish UI (on the Mac, at least).”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's monetization is criticized for not clearly communicating threats or challenges, which may affect the player's experience. However, specific details about in-game purchases or payment models are not mentioned.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is generally well-executed, with thoughtful design and wardrobe choices that enhance the characters, though there are a few exceptions. Overall, the characters are visually appealing and distinct.

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74%Critics’ scoreBased on 9 critic reviews

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10h Median play time

10h Average play time

6-14h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure is a puzzle game with thriller, comedy and science fiction themes.

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 10 hours playing Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure.

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure was released on May 8, 2014.

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure was developed by Big Finish Games.

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure is a single player game.

Similar games include Under a Killing Moon, Thimbleweed Park, King's Quest, Beyond a Steel Sky, Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse and others.

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure

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