Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Name: Mean Streets + Martian Memorandum
Item: Mean Streets + Martian Memorandum
Author: Retro Replay

Mean Streets lays the foundation for Tex Murphy’s iconic detective gameplay with a mix of exploration, inventory-based puzzles, and investigative dialogue. Players navigate a semi-open world environment, searching crime scenes for clues, interrogating witnesses, and piecing together evidence. The interface is intuitive for its era: a simple point-and-click cursor interaction allows you to examine objects, collect usable items, and converse with various characters to drive the narrative forward.

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Martian Memorandum builds upon this system by adding branching dialogue choices and more complex multi-step investigations. While the core mechanics remain true to the first game, the sequel introduces timed events and action sequences that ramp up the tension. You’ll find yourself balancing clue gathering with diplomatic conversations and occasional stealth segments—each designed to evoke the feel of a hard-boiled detective story set against a sci-fi backdrop.

Both titles reward patience and careful observation. Puzzles often require cross-referencing documents, using gadgets like Tex’s trusty magnifying glass or futuristic devices, and piecing together conversation hints. Though modern players may find some sequences slower than today’s standards, there’s a satisfying depth in thoroughly exploring offices, bars, and alien laboratories to uncover every secret.

Graphics

Mean Streets originally debuted with EGA graphics, featuring a 16-color palette that, while limited, captures the moody neon streets and smoky bars of 2033 San Francisco. Character portraits are simple but expressive, and background art conveys a gritty, noir atmosphere—rain-slicked alleys, flickering streetlights, and shady back-rooms that feel straight out of a pulp detective novel.

Martian Memorandum leverages a 256-color VGA upgrade, bringing more detail and richer hues to its environments. Textures appear more refined, character sprites have smoother edges, and Martian interiors boast vibrant reds and greens that underscore the off-world setting. The improved graphics enhance immersion but still retain a retro charm that fans of early ’90s adventure games will appreciate.

Additionally, Martian Memorandum’s partial use of full-motion video (FMV) for Tex’s facial animations adds a layer of personality. While the clipping and color bleeding are reminders of the technology’s infancy, seeing Tex’s witty smirk and expressive eyebrows in motion elevates key narrative moments, making you feel more connected to the character than static portraits alone could achieve.

Story

Mean Streets kickstarts Tex Murphy’s saga with a straightforward missing-person case that spirals into corporate conspiracies and interplanetary intrigue. As a down-on-his-luck private eye, Tex is hired to find a missing scientist—what begins as a routine job quickly uncovers a web of espionage, blackmail, and greed. The dialogue is laced with hard-boiled quips, dry humor, and occasional heartfelt moments that humanize Tex beyond the clichéd trench coat and fedora.

Martian Memorandum takes the stakes higher by sending Tex to Mars to recover stolen classified data. Here, the story evolves into a political thriller involving Martian factions, corporate interests, and hints of extraterrestrial secrets. The script balances detective noir tropes with sci-fi flair: expect scenes in opulent corporate towers, back-alley alien markets, and high-speed escapes across dusty Martian plains.

The character development across both titles is surprisingly robust. Allies and villains alike have distinct personalities, motivations, and memorable dialogue. You’ll grow attached to Tex’s recurring sidekick, Joe Monday, and even the antagonists feel more than faceless obstacles. The narrative momentum keeps you invested, with well-paced reveals and cliffhangers that propel you from one location to the next.

Overall Experience

This collection of Mean Streets and Martian Memorandum offers a nostalgic trip through early 1990s adventure gaming, showcasing the birth of Tex Murphy’s blend of noir detective work and sci-fi worldbuilding. While some design elements—such as pixel-hunt puzzles and unskippable dialogues—reflect their era, the engaging storylines and classic gameplay loops remain compelling for fans of narrative-driven adventures.

Modern re-releases often include quality-of-life enhancements like higher-resolution options, remappable keys, and save-anywhere functionality, making these titles more accessible to contemporary audiences. Audio restoration brings Chris Jones’s gravelly Tex voice and atmospheric music cues back to life, further immersing you in the moody soundscapes of rainy city streets and Martian deserts.

Whether you’re discovering Tex Murphy for the first time or revisiting these classics, Mean Streets + Martian Memorandum deliver a unique fusion of detective drama and sci-fi flair. The collection not only preserves historical significance in the adventure genre but also offers timeless storytelling and puzzle design. For anyone intrigued by immersive narratives and old-school charm, this duo is well worth exploring.