Tex Murphy: The Pandora Directive
Tex Murphy: The Pandora Directive
Game
Game2014
Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon
Developer Access Software
Under a Killing Moon is a 1994 point-and-click adventure and interactive movie released for MS-DOS and Classic Mac OS. It is the third installment in the Tex Murphy series of adventure games produced by Access Software. The detective Tex Murphy finds himself unwittingly involved in the affairs of a dangerous cult. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
262 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 2, 2026 · last updated Nov 3, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
96
LovedLoved
123 positive · 5 negative
95% range 91–98%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 123 | 5 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 23 | 3 | 62 |
| Mastodon * | 5 | 0 | 37 |
| Lemmy * | 1 | 0 | 3 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
133 of 138 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
96% recommend · 124 yes, 5 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 129 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (166 of 173 positive).
Players praise the game's story, humor, and FMV, calling it a classic adventure. [1][2][3] Many reviewers note the controls are outdated and difficult to manage. [4][5][6] Some players recommend it for nostalgia or curiosity about early 3D games. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [1]
One of the first PC games I played back in 1994 when my parents bought me my first computer (486 DX4-100 with a "Sound Blaster-compatable" soundcard and a 2x-speed CD-ROM drive, baby!) Under a Killing Moon made quite a racket at the time, being one of the first games that used FMV, and not just for cut-scenes but also in-game, and for being so unprecedently huge (it shipped on 4 CDs). This was cutting edge stuff …
- [4]
I never played these games when I was younger so there isn't any nostalgia with these games, however I do have a love of old FMV games. The short and sweet reviewer: Pros: Great story, funny most of the time, puzzles are not to difficult with a bit of thought but there is a hint system that works well in game, graphics are okay for the age of game, fun adventure game Cons: Horrible controls, like really bad....but …
- [5]
Great game, God awful controls. I played this back in the mid nineties, and I remembered a lot of it, the story and humour left a strong impression on me. Because of that I progressed through the game much quicker than someone who hasn't already worked out all the puzzles, and read all the hints. It's a point and click 'interactive movie' and although everything seemed a lot fuzzier than it did in 1995, the …
- [6]
I was 3 years old when this game came out! LOL I was looking around for detective games recommendation after spending some time with L.A Noire, and this game was mentioned a lot, so I decided to give it a try. It's a great FMV/point and click game, and it's cheesy lol But I am going to be completely honest, the control sucks so bad! I think devs back then still trying to figure out how to move in a 3D environment.
- [2]
BottomLine at the Top: This game is now 25 years old and it's still a fun adventure game experience. This 3rd entry in the Tex Murphy series introduces a major revamp from previous titles. As an early CD-ROM game, Under a Killing Moon makes use of FMV and an early 3D interactive environment. A true classic, this game is still a must for any and all P&C aficionados! ------------------------------------- Pros …
Summarised from 34 of the 246 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
96% of the 129 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon. The complaint that keeps coming up: terrible controls that are hard to get used to. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Following Under a Killing Moon's launch in late 1994, market research firm PC Data named it the United States' fifth-best-selling computer game of November. The game's overall sales had reached 400,000 copies before the release of Tex Murphy: The Pandora Directive in 1996. At the time, Access reported that it had "broken all Access Software sales records". Under a Killing Moon received universally positive reviews. Contemporary reviews praised the game for its technology and cinematic presentation. In 2002, Adventure Gamers gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5, praising a mystery plot, characters and a classic Tex Murphy humor. According to IGN in 2006, the game has weathered the test of time…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 262 · most liked firstOne of the first PC games I played back in 1994 when my parents bought me my first computer (486 DX4-100 with a "Sound Blaster-compatable" soundcard and a 2x-speed CD-ROM drive, baby!) Under a Killing Moon made quite a racket at the time, being one of the first games that used FMV, and not just for cut-scenes but also in-game, and for being so unprecedently huge (it shipped on 4 CDs). This was cutting edge stuff back then, when some games were still shipped on several floppy disks... And than…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It works. The old game works perfectly for me on Windows 7. If your a fan of this game from the olden times, its worth the get. If you've never tried it before and your curious about it? This is a great P.I. Game with great humor and did i mention it has the voice of James Earl Jones in it? It does. So you know this is going to be a good one. :)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I never played these games when I was younger so there isn't any nostalgia with these games, however I do have a love of old FMV games. The short and sweet reviewer: Pros: Great story, funny most of the time, puzzles are not to difficult with a bit of thought but there is a hint system that works well in game, graphics are okay for the age of game, fun adventure game Cons: Horrible controls, like really bad....but with a bit of playing they become managable, and for me the story and game are…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →BottomLine at the Top: This game is now 25 years old and it's still a fun adventure game experience. This 3rd entry in the Tex Murphy series introduces a major revamp from previous titles. As an early CD-ROM game, Under a Killing Moon makes use of FMV and an early 3D interactive environment. A true classic, this game is still a must for any and all P&C aficionados! ------------------------------------- Pros ------------------------------------- -Much higher quality production from previous…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Why Tex Murphy is one of the BEST adventure game series EVER. Continuing the countdown of the greatest #adventuregame series of all time. Here is number 10. youtu.be/8-xeFJqTZ4w?... #indiegame #retrogamer #adventuregame @gamelegendsdoc.bsky.social @adventuregamegeek.bsky.social #aghnetwork
neutral · AI labelView post →I’m so extremely excited. I’ve had the good fortune of playing an alpha build and I’m absolutely floored. Blog post about my experience roaming the streets and what this means to me and the future of Tex Murphy games coming soon -Joshua #indiegame #adventuregame www.kickstarter.com/projects/tex...
positive · AI labelView post →a classic! works great on linux
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Joshua Cleveland (me) put pen to paper to and gushes over Why Tex Murphy Is One of the Best Point-and-Click Adventure Game Series Ever Made. #adventuregame #fmv #fmvgame #indiegame #pcgame @bigfinishgames.bsky.social @underakillingmoon.bsky.social adventuregamehotspot.com/blog/5552/wh...
neutral · AI labelView post →MON DIEU! My retrospective on the 2nd Tex Murphy game, Martian Memorandum, is now up. Let's get our asses to Mars! youtu.be/Iw08YzZ4HGk #adventuregames
neutral · AI labelView post →Introduction Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon is a kind of point-and-click adventure in 3D environments that uses a lot of full-motion video cuts and animations. Despite belonging to a "classic" saga, I had never heard of this game when I got it from a bundle, so I started playing it out of curiosity holding zero nostalgia. Evaluation The game has a noir-ish, futuristic ambient. How they don't really achieve it is part of the charm of the game. For example, you have flying cars, but you still…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →#LogLoads64 Mean Streets You need to read the manual to play this game and as such - I have no idea if it is any good. But, the year is 2033 and your name is Tex Murphy. Being a P.I. on the #C64 never felt so slow. I *will* look at this. At some point. Anyone actually played it? Is it any good? 😆
neutral · AI labelView post →oh my god. they're remaking Tex Murphy: Under A Killing Moon??? how did i not hear there was a kickstarter for this??? this game CHANGED ME. and i think launched me on the path of my lifelong love affair with noir www.kickstarter.com/projects/tex...
positive · AI labelView post →guest review by LVL WON of Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure! was it worth the wait? is the FMV revival in good hands? find out here, and only here: nebula.tv/videos/innue...
neutral · AI labelView post →Leaderboard Golf (1986) A great early golf simulator by Access Software, who'd go on to make Links (as well as the Tex Murphy games) years later. When this was released, it was the most authentic golf game around, with realistic physics and rotoscoped animations. 1/3
neutral · AI labelView post →Awesome detective comedy adventure. It's from the epic days they started to add filmed video scenes into computer games. The controls are a bit... something to get used to, but the story's just great.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really start to love the adventure game Tex Murphy Under a Killing Moon! This game makes me laugh over and over again! It has many funny characters, too! Ardo Newspop reminds me somehow on Weird Ed Edison from Maniac Mansion! 😄 Thanks so much again, @darkcrowind.bsky.social! 🫂
positive · AI labelView post →Beach Head (1983) This was the first big hit from Access Software, who'd later go on to make games like Leaderboard Golf, Links and the Tex Murphy-series. It's an action game where each level is a separate mini game. The goal is to lead a seaborne assault on the enemy's fortress. 1/3
neutral · AI labelView post →My friend @darkcrowind.bsky.social and I started playing Tex Murphy: Pandora Detective! 😊 @spacequesthistorian.com thanks again for your video about @moralrecordings.bsky.social's patch! The controls now feel like a regular FPS game and it's pleasant to play Pandora Detective. 😊
positive · AI labelView post →If you've never played the Tex Murphy games, SHUT YOUR MOUTH and buy the bundle right now. They are campy future detective noir mysteries, and I love them all so much! They're fantastic, worth the price store.steampowered.com/sub/45894 Tesla Effect on sale too store.steampowered.com/app/261510/T...
positive · AI labelView post →And what I never played personally, I watched let's play's and walkthrough's on early YouTube. With this in mind, while I never even heard of Tex Murphy or Phantasmagoria until well into my late teens / early twenties, I *did* sink my teeth into a... very strange little FMV PC game.
neutral · AI labelView post →I grew up on these streets. And by "these streets", I mean "Under a Killing Moon was actually my first Tex Murphy game", but I couldn't resist using this because I thought of it immediately. It was that or Atari 2600's Street Racer.
neutral · AI labelView post →Today on Quest Quest, the adventure game podcast, @decafjedi.com and I discuss one of the great FMV games: Under a Killing Moon. Tex Murphy has to solve some low-rent Blade Runner mysteries as rendered in cutting edge 1994 technology. Listen here or where ever: zencastr.com/z/1vuG9S4B
neutral · AI labelView post →Part 2 of my Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon playthrough just went up on YouTube! I'm really loving this game so far, and I'm especially impressed with what a technological marvel it was for 1994. Join me live tonight on Twitch at 9:30 p.m. ET for more FMV gumshoe adventuring! twitch.tv/decafjedi
positive · AI labelView post →The latest episode of Quest Quest: The Adventure Game Podcast is here! In this episode, @bvigeant.bsky.social and I discuss mystery adventure games. We're talking Laura Bow, Tex Murphy, Gabriel Knight, Sherlock Holmes, and more! Give it a listen! zencastr.com/z/GBfXea5d
neutral · AI labelView post →I think more devs should make a radio drama entry in their video game series like the Tex Murphy devs
positive · AI labelView post →My "Fair & Balanced Retrospective" on Under A Killing Moon, the third Tex Murphy game, premieres tonight on YouTube: youtu.be/rbmshHiOHfA Come hang out in the chat and watch it with us. Time: 10 PM CET / 4 PM EST / 1 PM PST #adventuregames #retrospective #TexMurphy
neutral · AI labelView post →Playing my first 'Tex Murphy' game.
neutral · AI labelView post →Had another great time playing Tex Murphy: The Pandora Directive with my friend @darkcrowind.bsky.social! We came across a newspaper article in the game that… hasn't aged very well. On one hand it's kind of funny, but on the other hand I feel bad for Bruce Willis and for the late Paul Reubens.
neutral · AI labelView post →A fantastic adventure game with a good story, a likeable, relatable character who seems to like everyone in the world more than himself, goofy and tries to make a living with an unbroken optimism. The game mixes serious, and parody-like elements of the classic noir/detective genre, making a really unique, memorable and lighthearted story while still having big-scale plot with proper baddies. Sound and music is still good ; animation is cheesy and campy in a good way - though surfaces can be…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is very good i can truly highly recommend it. You are a private detective down on his luck, looking for a break. But boy oh boy i dont think u would expect this much trouble & drama! I won't reveal any more of the story so i dont spoil the game, but i will say this game is just awesome, with very good classic graphics, great story and amazing 3d inter active interface system. The only small bad thing i can say about this game is it runs on Dosbox, it doesnt run on Windows 7 or…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I’m glad the Kickstarter for Tex Murphy Under A Killing Moom Remake has passed $300,000 so then we can get the moon child expansion and play more on there. Now onto $500,000 so then we can get PlayStation 5 and Xbox console ports. Onwards. www.kickstarter.com/projects/tex...
positive · AI labelView post →If you've ever wondered whether you'd enjoy a Tex Murphy adventure game, I feel like this clip is a solid litmus test. "I'm going to be playing some songs that I know YOU'LL LOVE."
neutral · AI labelView post →This is showing its age, but that's a good thing here, it's worth adjusting to it for this one. James Earl Jones is in this, so you know it's good.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →James Earl Jones plays God in this game + some other celebrities that thought FMV games were cool - 10/10 (this one is)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am very suprised top rate acting Great graphics Plays well and very smooth very few bugs good humor Great puzzels i injoyed everything about this game i highly suggest it to anyone who likes FMV video games this is a good one to get started in for the tex murphy series i injoyed everything from start to finish
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you're into old school point and click games then buy the Tex Murphy collection. Lots of things to make you think about. Remember to take notes and save regularly. The "controls" take some getting used to but then it's all fun!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game 11: Tex Murphy: The Pandora Directive Another one I'd been meaning to play for a while - I loved Under a Killing Moon, and this one is just bigger and better. More ambitious, and with a tremendous story. An all-time great in the FMV niche, easily.
positive · AI labelView post →Just wrapped up another adventure game gem with my friend @darkcrowind.bsky.social -- Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon! 🙌✨ This one really surprised me, and we had so many laughs along the way! #AdventureGame #Adventure #Game
positive · AI labelView post →Speaking for myself but in 1995 or whatever I didn’t even know what the term rendered was. Game looked cool but I liked Tex Murphy Under a Killing Moon for state of the art graphics lol
positive · AI labelView post →AGFF Update: Aaron Conners will be at the event answering your Tex Murphy questions. Aaron is the writer and co-designer of the Tex Murphy adventure game series. There are still a handful of tickets available. You can get them at adventuregamefanfair.com #agfanfair #texmurphy
neutral · AI labelView post →We've just launched our new studio alongside the announcement of a new game! We're proud to present the teaser trailer for 'The Last Ark' www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ-o... For more info about the game & the new studio created by one of the devs. of the Tex Murphy series visit: terabbitstudios.com
neutral · AI labelView post →Great game, God awful controls. I played this back in the mid nineties, and I remembered a lot of it, the story and humour left a strong impression on me. Because of that I progressed through the game much quicker than someone who hasn't already worked out all the puzzles, and read all the hints. It's a point and click 'interactive movie' and although everything seemed a lot fuzzier than it did in 1995, the nostalgia was there. Unless you really like this genre of game, have a love for P.I.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Real talk, there's only two reasons to recommend this game: you played it back in the '90s, or you want to see what the dawn of 3D was gaming was like. Nightdive has done an excellent job making the original game run on modern machines but have otherwise stayed out of its way. You'll get to experience the bizarre design choices of one of the actual first games played in 3D. The controls are a farce. WASD movement? Mouse look? Nah, son, that technology wasn't developed for years after Tex…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is as oldschool as you can get with FMV's - this is the first game (or at the very least one of) which utilized an interactive 3D environments, quite a breakthrough in its time. Although Overseer is my personal favorite, UaKM is really great too. Pros: 1. The story. 2. The suave main character. 3. The one-of-a-kind world. 4. Hilarious humor. Cons: 1. If you're not an old-timer, a hipster, or just a fan of old games - everything. Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if casual gamers…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i don't have an issue with pixel hunting for clickables, the problem is confounded with the terrible 1st person perspective view and movement. i understand the game came out in the mid 90's, but i don't think using this FPP and movement scheme should have been implemented. im sure it looked awesome back then, but its not practical using this view when looking for stuff to click on. i really wanted to continue with the story, the voice actors are top notch, and the plot was ok, but i just…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →"Under A Killing Moon" is the third game in the Tex Murphy series and is a 3D First Person Point & Click Adventure with bits of Full Motion Video. The majority of the game takes place in the slums of a post-apocalyptic San Fransisco still in the midst of World War Three. After solving a petty burglary, Tex is tasked with recovering a countess' precious family heirloom, a bird statuette and must rely on his expert deductive skills (or lack there-of) to tackle this case head on. The game is…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I recommend starting with the Tex Murphy games then moving on to some of the less talked about ones: Black Dahlia The X-Files Game Harvester Burn:Cycle Frankenstein: Through the Eyes of a Monster Lost in Time Johnny Mnemonic Star Trek: Borg Goosebumps: Escape from Horrorland The Last Express
positive · AI labelView post →Very good. At first I wanted to put it down due to controls, but decided to give it a chance. After 1 hour I was hooked, so much good humour, great acting, clever one liners, mood, music, plot. Everything top notch. It was my first Tex game ever, and now I know I need to play all of them.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Assuming no technical hiccups, I'll be starting my first #Twitch stream today at 7:00 pm EST, as part of #DOSember. My plan is to play #Freedoom (using the DSDA #Doom source port) for the first hour then moving on to #TexMurphy : The Pandora Directive. https://www.twitch.tv/whiskytangofoxtrot/
neutral · AI labelView post →ROOK TO F5. CHECK. Incredibly hard to write about a game that I can’t seem to distance myself from. The 90s were my formative years as a gamer and Under a Killing Moon is right up there at the top. It was a monumental release for its time. When a game earns the ‘classic’ moniker it means, amongst other things, that even the negative opinions about it have their place. That’s the whole point: its historical value stands alongside your opinion, being informed and shaped by it, not above it.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon, while being in a great series, is a particularly weak entry due to abysmal FMV which is caused by technological issues back then which look even worse today. It just feels very clunky. Visually and mechanically. That being said, even the weakest Tex Murphy is still a great game. Just imagine Al Bundy from Married with Children being a private eye and you've got the vibe this game gives off at every corner.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm usually a pretty lenient guy who doesn't get upset easily. But I can't get over these elevator controls in Tex Murphy: the Pandora Directive (our DOS Game Club game of the month). I mean... the button for 1st floor is at the top? And 2nd floor at the bottom?? Wtf??? #dosGaming
neutral · AI labelView post →I just backed Tex Murphy: Killing Moon Rising on Kickstarter! You'll get to see me in-game as a Moon Child Technician! 😅 Even as a bad grunt, I love the idea of being in a game - and it's a remake of a game I feel everyone should have played! www.kickstarter.com/projects/tex...
positive · AI labelView post →Game 12: Tex Murphy: Mean Streets I decided to get through this one in my own time (for a particular reason) and thought it was... alright. Once you understand how the game wants to be played, it's pretty interesting. However, it does drag a bit once you've done the same thing several times.
neutral · AI labelView post →Tex Murphy - Under a Killing Moon, an all-time favorite game of mine is about to get a faithful remaster! 🤩 www.kickstarter.com/projects/tex... Shout-out to stellar artist @aghoulprince.bsky.social for this amazing fanart of me playing the game on stream a few years back 🫶🦄✨️
positive · AI labelView post →The bedroom I'm staying in has a fancy conversation pit that slides open to become a huge lava filled trash incinerator. For some reason I understand this installation to be a reference to a Tex Murphy game.
neutral · AI labelView post →Did you know... FMV game legend Chris Jones, aka Tex Murphy, provided voiceover for Radio August in The Shapeshifting Detective!
neutral · AI labelView post →I was 3 years old when this game came out! LOL I was looking around for detective games recommendation after spending some time with L.A Noire, and this game was mentioned a lot, so I decided to give it a try. It's a great FMV/point and click game, and it's cheesy lol But I am going to be completely honest, the control sucks so bad! I think devs back then still trying to figure out how to move in a 3D environment.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →fun detective game, i love fmvs, cheese and all.. this fits the bill.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I had no idea the Tex Murphy games originated in my home state of Utah, so that was pretty cool to discover in this episode. The series is a big adventure game blind spot for me, but I don't know that I'm necessarily in a rush to rectify that after this discussion, which I really enjoyed.
neutral · AI labelView post →
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