Overseer vs. Mean Streets
Hello there,
I am largely unfamiliar with Tex Murphy, having first heard of the series about one year ago after discovering GOG. I'm young enough I believe I skipped the whole FMV craze; started gaming with Myst. I have the Pandora Directive but have held off on playing it because I want to play the games in sequence. (In addition I want to save what I hear is the pinnacle for last.)
This said, GOG has a significant holiday sale going on right now and I would like to take the plunge as it sounds a very engaging series. But I'm not sure where to start. I understand Overseer is a remake of Mean Streets with a few changes to the plot. Which might anything think might be the best place to start, if you've played both?
I am largely unfamiliar with Tex Murphy, having first heard of the series about one year ago after discovering GOG. I'm young enough I believe I skipped the whole FMV craze; started gaming with Myst. I have the Pandora Directive but have held off on playing it because I want to play the games in sequence. (In addition I want to save what I hear is the pinnacle for last.)
This said, GOG has a significant holiday sale going on right now and I would like to take the plunge as it sounds a very engaging series. But I'm not sure where to start. I understand Overseer is a remake of Mean Streets with a few changes to the plot. Which might anything think might be the best place to start, if you've played both?
Start with Mean Streets for sure.
It may be hard to get into though... as it is extremely old and you have to type the commands.
If you can stomach this interface, start here.
Martian Memorandum is much better and uses the mouse, but again is old.
I still enjoyed it thoroughly.
You could technically start with Under A Killing Moon and not miss much, this was the breakthrough FMV adventure changing game.
Do not play overseer first though, because it starts with Tex telling the story of Mean Streets. This explains the plot changes as he might not remember everything accurately. It essentially starts after Pandora though and then does flashbacks. This could ruin the introduction of Chelsea and cause some spoilers.
It may be hard to get into though... as it is extremely old and you have to type the commands.
If you can stomach this interface, start here.
Martian Memorandum is much better and uses the mouse, but again is old.
I still enjoyed it thoroughly.
You could technically start with Under A Killing Moon and not miss much, this was the breakthrough FMV adventure changing game.
Do not play overseer first though, because it starts with Tex telling the story of Mean Streets. This explains the plot changes as he might not remember everything accurately. It essentially starts after Pandora though and then does flashbacks. This could ruin the introduction of Chelsea and cause some spoilers.
Matt
Thanks for the response. Good to know. I have to say a text based interface doesn't thrill me at least in a graphical game---one of the reasons I haven't yet played many of the early classic Sierra games--but I suppose I'll live with it.
Additionally, I gather from your comment that Overseer is still worth playing for more than just to see a remake of Mean Streets/dedicated fan-ism? Or at least if it starts with a recap of MS I have to assume it does!
Additionally, I gather from your comment that Overseer is still worth playing for more than just to see a remake of Mean Streets/dedicated fan-ism? Or at least if it starts with a recap of MS I have to assume it does!
Overseer is a remake of MS, but it is definitely worth playing. It picks up where PD leaves off and then tells the MS story through flashback.
I ended up playing MS and MM after I'd played the three FMV games. It was interesting to get more of Tex's background, but nothing in the first two games is essential to understanding or enjoying the three FMV games.
I ended up playing MS and MM after I'd played the three FMV games. It was interesting to get more of Tex's background, but nothing in the first two games is essential to understanding or enjoying the three FMV games.
Thanks for all the advice, folks.
I'll admit, I was hoping to get a good taste of the TM universe before deciding whether or not to buy them all, but despite some initial misgivings I picked up the whole series after watching the intro to UAKM on youtube. This is probably where I will start; I haven't tried Martian Memorandum yet, but twenty years out, I simply can't stand Mean Streets. Maybe I'll have the patience for it after I play a more-readily accessible Murphy adventure. From what little I've seen of the FMV games, I have to say it seems Chris Jones really did a good job with the role--not bad for someone who merely wanted to not have to pay another person, as I've heard.
I'll admit, I was hoping to get a good taste of the TM universe before deciding whether or not to buy them all, but despite some initial misgivings I picked up the whole series after watching the intro to UAKM on youtube. This is probably where I will start; I haven't tried Martian Memorandum yet, but twenty years out, I simply can't stand Mean Streets. Maybe I'll have the patience for it after I play a more-readily accessible Murphy adventure. From what little I've seen of the FMV games, I have to say it seems Chris Jones really did a good job with the role--not bad for someone who merely wanted to not have to pay another person, as I've heard.