The big P.I. in the sky.
Under A Killing Moon got a 6.9 from Gamespot back when it was released in 1994. Although it's been years since I've taken the title for a spin due to incompatibilities with my current setup, I'm left with the memory of one of the most engrossing, well written, funny, interesting and atmospheric games of it's time. A futuristic noir adventure where you play a private detective down on his luck in post World War III San Francisco? And it's full of great dialogue, an amazing lead character, a 3d world to explore, humor, suspense, interrogation and clues, plus plenty of great puzzles to push the mystery along? The whole thing works much more often than it should on many different levels. If you can forgive a few shortcomings, UAKM will no doubt find a place in your upper echelon of classic Adventure games.
Sure the acting got rough in places, but usually in an amusing way. The actors were, after all, Access employees for the most part. Ardo Newpop, man that guy cracked me up. Overall though this game was an example of FMV done right. It completely added to the experience and made the universe come alive with personality. The characters were all interesting with some great branching conversations, the story was well paced, enjoyable and epic while remaining wholly original throughout. The control scheme, a cross between an FPS and an adventure game, feels natural and the UI is fun to use, if a bit excessive. Music is varied, well composed and appropriate even if it is a MIDI soundtrack. Tex can interact or comment with a good deal of his surroundings, and the challenging puzzles are memorable and well implemented inside impressive (for it's time) 3d environments. Some pixel hunting required, but no more than other Adventures. And the chapter screens.. the swell of the sax, oh man.. gives me shivers just thinking about it. Also James Earl Jones plays God, and when you die he tells you why you messed up before sending you back to earth. That's always a plus in any game.
The slightly more popular sequel Pandora Directive took things to a new level, no doubt. The acting improved, the storytelling was tighter and more polished, most everything great about its predecessor was in there as well. But there's still something magic about Under a Killing Moon, the risks it took to try and create a cinematic experience and it's surprising success, technological limitations be damned. It almost feels like an indie game, a group of friends with a dream and a bluescreen. Tex Murphy is a great character, maybe one of the most underrated game heroes of all time, and I just think it's sad that his legacy seems to be gone forever at this point. Overseer was supposed to be the start of a whole new direction for the series but as it stands, Polarity, Trance and Chance will forever be unrealized save for inside the minds of Aaron Conners and Chris Jones. For shame, Microsoft, for shame.