Murder on the Mississippi

About

Murder on the Mississippi casts you as Sir Charles Foxworth, a detective with just three days to solve a murder aboard a luxury riverboat. Players navigate the Delta Princess, collecting clues and interrogating suspects to uncover who killed Raleigh Cartwright III. The investigation unfolds across the ship’s decks and cabins, with dialogue choices and puzzle-solving shaping the outcome. The pressure builds as the clock ticks toward New Orleans, where the killer could slip away undetected. A standout detail is the game’s December 31, 1986 release date, making it a Y2K-era crime mystery ahead of its time. It launched on Apple II and Commodore 64 platforms, with later Japanese ports expanding its reach. Community reaction remains positive, MobyGames lists it at 66% and a 1990s retro review gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising its tense atmosphere and structured storytelling. The time limit and ship-bound setting keep things focused, avoiding the sprawl of later adventure games.

Storyline

The famous detective Sir Charles Foxworth is taking a holiday on the Mississippi with his servant Regis on the Delta Princess. He's just taking a stroll around the upper deck of the ship when he discovers an open cabin door. Behind it: a dead man. As it turns out, the body of Raleigh Cartwright III. Sir Charles has three days to find the murderer, because then, the ship will reach New Orleans, giving the culprit a safe chance to escape.