Tex Murphy: Overseer

About

In Tex Murphy: Overseer, you are a private investigator tasked with solving the suspicious death of a client's father. As you delve deeper into the case, you uncover a dark secret involving an elite team and a sinister creation. The game features a 3-D virtual world engine, Dolby AC-3 5-channel surround sound, and a blend of wits, action, and exploration. This cinematic adventure game boasts impressive graphics and challenging puzzles.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

53%

Audience ScoreBased on 49 reviews

story4 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Tex Murphy: Overseer is a nostalgic classic that appeals to fans of the original series, featuring quirky charm and engaging storytelling.
Once set up correctly, the game offers enjoyable gameplay with challenging puzzles and a compelling sci-fi noir narrative.
The game has a unique blend of humor and campiness, reminiscent of classic FMV games, which can be delightful for those who appreciate the genre.

The game is plagued by technical issues, making it difficult or impossible to run on modern systems without extensive troubleshooting and third-party software.
Many players report frequent crashes and bugs that hinder the overall experience, leading to frustration and disappointment.
Despite its nostalgic value, the graphics and controls have not aged well, which may deter new players unfamiliar with the series.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The story is a mix of film noir and cyberpunk, featuring compelling character development and a humorous tone that resonates with fans of the genre, despite some players finding it overly complicated or clunky. While the narrative is engaging and offers a nostalgic adventure game vibe, technical issues and outdated graphics detract from the overall experience for some. Overall, the storytelling is appreciated for its depth and charm, contributing to the game's cult following.
- “The story, which is a mix of film noir and cyberpunk, is compelling and keeps you excited to the very end to see where the story goes next.”
- “In short, it's low-tech, a bit glitchy, and it inherits the lousy controls of its predecessors, but the warm humor and story really shine through and more than make up for its age, linearity, and shortcomings - you can see why this series has a cult following.”
- “Tex is a great character - one of many - and in addition to the humor and cheese, this is also a genuinely interesting sci-fi mystery/detective story.”
- “It was made for DVD, so there's plenty of plot there to befuddle anyone with the constitution to give it a concentrated effort.”
- “Although I love the good old adventure game vibes that remind me of my childhood, this one in particular has a too complicated storyline for me and the game crashes at a point close to the end.”
- “The voice acting and the acting in general and the story I will not comment on too much; I abandoned play rather rapidly.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The graphics of the game are widely criticized for being outdated and poorly executed, with many users noting significant issues such as graphical corruption and distortion. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm of the visuals, the overall consensus is that they detract from the gameplay experience, with numerous technical problems remaining unaddressed by the developers.
- “The visuals, though dated, add to the game’s nostalgic appeal and make it a fun trip down memory lane.”
- “While the graphics haven’t aged well, their shoot-the-moon campiness still brings a chuckle.”
- “Other than some graphical distortion on permanent objects, I could make them out.”
- “If you jump through enough loopholes and get it running, the graphics are corrupted and cannot be considered playable.”
- “Game has music and graphics issues that Night Dive did not bother to fix before releasing this game (with no mention at all on the store page).”
- “Although I love the good old adventure game vibes that remind me of my childhood, this one in particular has a too complicated storyline for me and the game crashes at a point close to the end... the graphics are terrible by the way... did not age well...”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Gameplay in "Tex Murphy: Overseer" is praised for its engaging FMV elements and extensive dialogue, making it one of the standout entries in the series. As a remake of "Mean Streets," it offers updated mechanics and a dynamic question list that enhances player interaction, alongside improved GUI and gameplay features compared to its predecessors. Overall, it successfully blends classic elements with modern enhancements, appealing to both new and returning players.
- “Tex Murphy: Overseer is the fifth Tex Murphy game and probably one of the best FMV games ever released, featuring actual gameplay with lots and lots of dialogues.”
- “It's much like Under a Killing Moon and Pandora Directive, but minor changes have been made to the gameplay here and there; the question list is now dynamic, showing you what you have already asked and what you have not.”
- “It's much like Under the Killing Moon and Pandora Directive, but minor changes have been made to the gameplay here and there; the question list is now dynamic, showing you what you have already asked and what you have not.”
- “Aside from that, the GUI and mechanics are better than in the last two Tex games.”
- “It is a remake of Mean Streets, so if you think the first Tex is 'too old' to play, then you have the chance to experience it with newer game mechanics.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is plagued by issues that require additional software installations, such as ffdshow and a MIDI emulator, to function properly. Reviewers express frustration over these problems, alongside unaddressed graphical issues, indicating a lack of polish in the game's release.
- “The game has music and graphics issues that Night Dive did not bother to fix before releasing this game, with no mention at all on the store page.”
- “I was able to fix the music issues, but not the graphical ones, such as transparent or missing textures.”
- “You need to install ffdshow to get the cutscenes to work and a MIDI emulator to get the music to function.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is praised for its exceptional storytelling and character development, highlighting the depth and complexity of its characters. Players appreciate how the narrative intricately weaves personal growth and emotional arcs, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The storytelling and character development are exceptional, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
- “I was truly impressed by the depth of character development; every choice I made had a meaningful impact on their growth.”
- “The game excels in character development, allowing players to witness the evolution of each character throughout the story.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of post-apocalyptic themes and noir detective elements, creating a unique and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and clever scenarios that add a lighthearted touch to the otherwise grim setting. Overall, the humor effectively enhances the game's narrative and engagement.
- “The humor in this post-apocalyptic detective noir is both clever and absurd, making every twist and turn a delightful surprise.”
- “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and the absurd situations the characters found themselves in.”
- “The game's blend of dark humor and quirky characters creates a unique experience that keeps you entertained throughout.”