The player must "listen to the usual suspects, order forensics and shoot photos", and create an arrest warrant by the end of the game.

[4] The game's original American packaging, which was sent out as a review copy, featured a warning about "clothed sexual touching" on the cover.

[6] The project was announced in Electronic Entertainment on September 21, 1995[7] and in Germany in Power Play Magazine in March 1995.

[9] In terms of commercial performance, PC Player speculated that The Elk Moon Murder sold satisfactorily to justify Activision creating a sequel to the title.

[19] Programmer in Black recommended Under a Killing Moon, The Pandora Directive, The Dame Was Loaded, The Broken Sword, and Gabriel Knight as games with similar detective story elements.

[22] Coming Soon Magazine complimented the graphics, sounds, storyline, and reasonable price, while responding negatively to the rambling dialogue from suspects.

[32] PC Player felt the title was extremely atmospheric and professionally acted,[33] though the magazine negatively compared the game to Golden Gate Killer.

"[36] Missing in Santa Fe is an online prequel to The Elk Moon Murder, featuring the same setting and many of the same characters.