The Real Texas

About

The Real Texas is an action-adventure game inspired by Zelda: Link to past and Ultima VI, where players control Sam, a Texas rancher who accidentally enters a purgatory dimension called Strange. Navigating this unfamiliar world, Sam must communicate with its eccentric inhabitants, solve puzzles, and uncover the mystery behind strange occurrences involving chickens, all while trying to find a way back home.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+16

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

music8 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The Real Texas offers a unique and immersive experience with its quirky characters, engaging story, and a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat reminiscent of classic adventure games like Zelda and Ultima.
The game's writing is clever and humorous, creating a charming atmosphere that draws players into its bizarre world filled with memorable interactions and hidden secrets.
Despite its primitive graphics and unconventional controls, the game has a lot of heart and creativity, making it a delightful adventure for those who appreciate indie titles with a distinct personality.

The combat system can be frustrating at times, with awkward controls and a lack of depth, which may deter players looking for a more action-oriented experience.
The game's primitive engine and tiny maps can feel limiting, and the shallow plot hook may not engage all players, leading to a sense of confusion or disinterest.
Inventory management is clunky and can disrupt the flow of gameplay, requiring players to backtrack frequently, which may lead to frustration.

story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
The story of "The Real Texas" follows a desk-bound cowboy's journey through a quirky, transdimensional universe filled with unique characters and inventive plot twists. While the main plot may feel shallow at times, the engaging dialogue and immersive world-building create a memorable experience, complemented by a mix of puzzles and humor. Players seeking a charming, story-driven adventure reminiscent of titles like Earthbound will find this game a delightful and unforgettable ride.
- “This is the story of one desk-bound cowboy’s transdimensional catapulting into the pocket universe called Texas.”
- “But story and feel are what make The Real Texas such an enthralling adventure.”
- “If you're looking for something weird or quirky, something you've never played before, a well-written story, I wholeheartedly recommend you check this out.”
- “Shallow plot hook.”
- “The pacing is a little slow at times, the dialogue and story is kind of quirky and weird (but intriguing and absolutely hilarious if you share that sense of humor), the world is weird and sometimes confusing.”
- “After 3 years, I don't recall all the details of the story.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
8%
25%
The music in the game is widely praised for its unique and immersive quality, featuring a simple yet haunting electronic soundtrack that complements the game's graphics and atmosphere. Reviewers highlight its nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic gaming eras, and note that it plays a significant role in the overall worldbuilding and tone of the game. The soundtrack is described as fantastic, with some even mentioning its availability for free download, further enhancing the game's appeal.
- “The writing is great, the music is perfect, and the entire game strikes a tone that I've really never found in any other game.”
- “Also, the music is incredible -- kind of bizarro Harvest Moon with a bit of EarthBound and just slightly off, like the rest of the game.”
- “The simple electronic soundtrack, as sharp-edged yet oneiric as the graphics themselves, is haloed with a little tasteful reverb to give off that haunted cave ambiance, and it sets the stage for something that starts out gently unreal -- a little world of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation that has become old hat to them -- and goes down a spiraling sluice that threads the various troublesome incarnations of greed, the mysteries of the monocular purple bandits, the broad philosophy allowed by bilocation.”
- “That said, the art, like the music, writing, and setting all work together -- this is very clearly not a AAA game, but that's probably why it's able to nail its unique tone.”
- “All three (graphics, music, and writing) come together into an off-beat, yet approachable and surprisingly immersive whole.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The graphics are described as humble and stylized, fitting the game's unique world and enhancing its evocative writing. While the aesthetic may be rough and basic, it is endearing and contributes to an immersive experience, complemented by a well-crafted soundtrack. Overall, the visuals may not appeal to everyone, but they effectively support the game's quirky charm and humor.
- “The graphics, while humble, really fit that world and are abstract enough to make the writing even more evocative.”
- “Graphically it's very stylized.”
- “While the graphics are unabashedly rough, the world itself is beautifully enticing all the same.”
- “It has a simple aesthetic that might put some people off.”
- “The aesthetic is basic but endearing, the controls are simple and responsive, and the mood is light and humorous.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a quirky and clever writing style that adds charm without relying on overt jokes or laugh-out-loud moments. It creates a light-hearted atmosphere that enhances the unique and sometimes confusing world, appealing to players who appreciate a more subtle, whimsical sense of humor. Overall, the game balances its intriguing narrative with a delightful, if unconventional, comedic tone.
- “Ever had a dream with intricate structure, with its own rules, impregnated with a sense of humor that doesn’t demand you to guffaw, but gleefully colors the atmosphere just the same?”
- “The pacing is a little slow at times, the dialogue and story are kind of quirky and weird (but intriguing and absolutely hilarious if you share that sense of humor), the world is weird and sometimes confusing, the art direction's papercraft style is very peculiar and unique... and if none of this is off-putting to you, it instead gives a ton of charm to a wild ride of a game that you will never forget.”
- “The writing is clever and witty (though not laugh-out-loud funny), and has depth without getting overly pretentious or full of itself.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The gameplay features a unique blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, reminiscent of classics like Little Big Adventure and Zelda. Players control a quirky character navigating a whimsical world filled with diverse NPCs and hidden items, offering around a dozen hours of engaging content. The DLC focuses on non-combat mechanics, highlighting the game's strengths in storytelling and interaction.
- “The real Texas (DLC aside) offers around a dozen hours of gameplay - there's a lot to discover, with plenty of hidden items, clues, and NPCs to chat with.”
- “The gameplay is a nice mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.”
- “Although the tone is unique, gameplay-wise it's a little bit of Little Big Adventure, Ultima 6/7, and Zelda all rolled up together.”
- “This is most likely why the DLC is story only, no combat, and while this is not a review for the DLC, the non-combat mechanics really shine there.”
- “The real Texas (DLC aside) offers around a dozen hours of gameplay - there's a lot to discover, with plenty of hidden items, clues, and NPCs to chat to.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is characterized by a dreamlike quality, featuring intricate structures and unique rules, infused with a subtle sense of humor that enhances the overall experience without overwhelming the player.
- “Ever had a dream with intricate structure, with its own rules, impregnated with a sense of humor that doesn’t demand you to guffaw, but gleefully colors the atmosphere just the same?”