L.A. Noire

So again, here’s another game that’s a couple of years old (released 2011), but it’s something I’m currently playing, so it makes sense to write my thoughts down!

When the game first came out it did grab my attention, but unfortunately the system I was using wasn’t capable of running the game. But since I got my new PC set up, I was ready to go and give it a shot!

  L.A. Noire is set in the late 40’s, post WWII amongst the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, and you control a patrolman named Cole Phelps (and later an ex-marine named Jack Kelso). The main objective of this game is that you do thorough inspections of crime scenes and places of interest; interviewing witnesses and suspects, eventually solving the crime given to you. Instead of levels, you are set with different cases, and you eventually work your way through various different department bureaus, giving you more variety with the crimes you investigate. The game is very linear with its storyline, the only openness coming from your choice of where to go next if you have a few places to visit for your investigation.

The two main focal objectives of this game are:

a) making sure you find all clues and evidence amongst crime scenes and places of interest,

b) correctly deducing in conversations if you believe a person is telling the truth, lying, or you doubt them. 

The difference between the doubt and lying accusation, is that accusations of lying must be given with proof or evidence found earlier. If you do end up missing evidence or misunderstanding a person’s alibi, it affects your overall score given at the end of the mission meaning an unhappy boss, or you can thoroughly annoy an innocent person you’ve wrongly accused for the crime.

  The gameplay is relatively simple. Simple WASD for movement, and Cole jumps over objects or across gaps automatically. Most other actions are controlled by the mouse, except when you are fighting, where you have the option to use Q to grapple or R to finish the fight. So this makes for very easy combat, as you simply click on the opponent to hit them (or fire your gun), and chasing someone is as simple as holding down W to follow them. Easy peasy. Simple enough for a child, although I wouldn’t recommend you let a child play, as there is some bad language and plenty of racial slurs used in the game.

When choosing your next location to travel to, it is once again very simple. Simply pull your notebook out, set your destination, then a marker appears on your mini-map to guide you there (or hold E down to make your partner drive as I always do). The notebook is also used to hold evidence notes, as well as choosing what question you wish to ask someone next during an interrogation. So again, all relatively simple to get the hang of.

  The graphics in this game I really do enjoy. Even now, 3 years after its release, it still looks amazing compared to other games being currently released. Every building, and the town itself is set out perfectly, making you feel like you are immersed in this post war era. And as for the characters? Phenomenal. All characters are very lifelike in appearance thanks to the MotionScan used on real life people. It’s a great feeling that when interviewing these people, they do actually look from side to side when nervous, or remain composed when telling the truth. The only complaint I have about this though, is that I have noticed that nearly every woman in the game looks exactly the same. Sometimes the only way to tell them apart is the clothing, which is a bit disappointing as there are so many different male characters with distinctive looks setting them apart.

  I am also impressed with L.A. Noire’s soundscape. Again, each character has their own voice (not always found in a lot of games), making them unique in that sense. The music is true to the 40’s era in which the game is set, and other sound effects such as knocking, doors opening, et cetera, are all true to life. An added bonus given is that when you are in a crime scene or place of interest, there is some distinct music playing in the background. When you have found everything of interest, the music changes so you know there’s no more searching to be done. Another element is that there is a jingle when you walk near an object you can observe. At first, it mostly jingles when there is actually an item of relevance, but as the game goes on, it plays when you’re next to anything you can pick up. This forces you to become better at deciding whether or not something is actually relevant to an investigation, rather than simply relying on the game telling you, like I did at first.

  Overall, another game I completely adore for all aspects and will play again and again (leaving enough time in between plays to make sure I forget correct accusations).

If you want a game that’s pretty linear in storyline, but also gets your mind working as what to do next, this is for you. It’s just superb and beautiful to look at as well.

  So once again, thankyou for reading and I hope you enjoyed. Any suggestions for new reviews are more than welcome, so let me know if you have any!

Until next time

-KirreeH