Tex Murphy: Mean Streets

About

In "Tex Murphy: Mean Streets," you are a hard-boiled detective in a post-apocalyptic 2033 San Francisco, navigating a 3D game world to solve a complex murder mystery using puzzles, interviews, and evidence collection. The game features full-motion video cutscenes, a unique film noir atmosphere, and a challenging, non-linear investigation. Your choices and observations will impact the outcome of the case, leading to multiple endings.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 45 reviews

story9 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features an interesting and engaging story that keeps players invested in the detective work.
It offers a nostalgic experience for fans of retro gaming, with a unique blend of genres including detective work and flight simulation.
Players appreciate the challenge of taking notes and solving puzzles, which adds a layer of immersion to the gameplay.

The gameplay mechanics, particularly the flight simulator and combat segments, are considered outdated and frustrating.
Traveling between locations is tedious and time-consuming, detracting from the overall experience.
The interface and controls can be confusing, requiring players to type commands and manage multiple aspects of gameplay, which may not appeal to modern gamers.

story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
37%
16%
The game's story is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its intriguing detective noir elements and retro cyberpunk setting. While some find the gameplay lacking, the compelling narrative and writing keep players engaged, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of classic adventure games. Overall, the story is highlighted as the main draw, with a unique blend of investigative themes and nostalgic charm.
- “The story is incredible, as is the writing.”
- “If you enjoy nostalgic point and click adventures with a detective noir type story, you will enjoy this.”
- “On top of the neon-soaked cybergrunge goodness, there's a compelling and good story that kept me pouring over notes on a cork board like some kind of conspiracy nut.”
- “The only reason to play this game is for the investigative aspects and grasping the overall story (which you can just look at a summary and move on to the other games).”
- “As for the concept and story, it's the beginning of the series' unique and entertaining concept - a detective in a post-WWIII America bombed back to the noir era.”
- “The entire Tex Murphy series is great and gets better, becoming awesome in the later games, especially in the 2014 release 'Tesla Effect', which shows you some of the previous games and stories leading up to the new story.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it simple and lacking in depth, yet still enjoyable once they adapt to its mechanics. While the classic adventure elements and exploration are appreciated, many feel that the dated mechanics detract from the overall experience, particularly in comparison to modern standards. Despite its age, the gameplay offers a unique charm that some players find intriguing.
- “Not so much puzzles and quite simple mechanics, but it somehow manages to be really fun.”
- “Once I got the hang of searching the rooms, I started to like that part of the gameplay as well.”
- “The story itself is pretty good, but the gameplay is just...not great for the most part.”
- “Mean Streets was a groundbreaking release back in 1989, but the mechanics have not aged well.”
- “Gameplay is fascinatingly different from what we're all used to, which isn't surprising considering the game's age (this was released in 1989, I kid you not).”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, reflecting its 90s origins, with some users noting that they were once top class for their time. While the visuals may not hold up to modern standards, the game's storytelling and gameplay can still provide an engaging experience for those willing to overlook the graphical shortcomings. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some appreciating the nostalgic charm and others criticizing the lack of visual quality.
- “The story and graphics are good.”
- “Back then the graphics and the sound were top class.”
- “If you can see past the dated graphics and silly flying system, this is a game that stands the test of time.”
- “This game is from back in the 90's; it's a great game if you don't mind a lack of graphics, but it really does show you what it's like to be a real private detective.”
- “Very little directions and bad graphics doom this game.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, particularly criticizing the lengthy travel times and the inability to skip certain repetitive tasks like flight simulations and interrogations. While the nostalgia factor is appreciated, many feel that improvements could enhance the overall experience.
- “But the traveling is so tedious you rip your hair out.”
- “Waiting for a fax or for the autopilot to take you to your destination is very tedious and boring.”
- “I like that this game is available again for nostalgia, but it could have used some touch-ups to make it less tedious, like being able to skip the flight sim half and quicker interrogations.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is largely criticized for its minimalism, featuring only a single looping track that plays in specific areas, while the majority of the gameplay is marked by silence and sparse sound effects. This lack of a diverse soundtrack detracts from the overall experience.
- “There is also no soundtrack to speak of, just the same tune which sometimes pops up when you move to a new area, leaving you in silence for most of the game.”
- “Minimal voices, sound effects, and only one looping short soundtrack for certain scenes.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The humor in the game is highly praised, with players reporting that it is genuinely funny and capable of eliciting uncontrollable laughter.
- “Hilarious moments that had me laughing till my sides ached.”
- “The humor is spot on and keeps the gameplay light and enjoyable.”
- “I love the witty dialogue and clever jokes sprinkled throughout the game.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's atmosphere, noting it as a standout feature, particularly for those new to the genre. The immersive environment contributes significantly to the overall experience.
- “I never played a text Murphy adventure before, and I really like the atmosphere of this game.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers express a preference for classic games over modern titles that heavily rely on microtransactions, indicating a dissatisfaction with the monetization strategies prevalent in contemporary shooters. They appreciate exceptions like Team Fortress 2, which may offer a more balanced approach.
- “I'd rather play the original Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Unreal, or Half-Life as opposed to the infinite number of Battlefields, Call of Duties, and Counter-Strikes available today with spiffy graphics and microtransactions. Team Fortress 2 is a rare exception.”