Welcome to L.A. Noire!
Watch the Let's Play session here!
Note: This session has been slightly edited to ensure a viewer friendly experience (reducing exposure to the most graphic details). The game is rated M 17+ with Intense Violence, Strong Language, and more.
Game Description: 'Amid the post-war boom of Hollywood's Golden Age, Cole Phelps — an LAPD detective — is thrown headfirst into a city drowning in its own success. Corruption is rampant, the drug trade is exploding, and murder rates are at an all-time high. In his fight to climb the ranks and do what's right, Phelps must unravel the truth behind a string of arson attacks, racketeering conspiracies, and brutal murders, battling the L.A. underworld and even members of his own department to uncover a secret that could shake the city to its rotten core...''
Developed by Rockstar Leeds, Team Bondi
Platform: PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Valve Index, PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: May 17, 2011
L.A. Noire: A Timeless Classic
L.A. Noire is a game I’ve been curious about for years. Its very positive reviews and unique reputation with a heavy focus on storytelling had me eager to play for a long time - but timing and opportunity never aligned… until recently. Last Chrismas, I discovered a gift under our tree - a tag with my name on it. As I tore through the paper to reveal it's content, I came accros a PS4 box featuring a vintage film poster inspired by the 40’s with the title 'L.A. Noire' - I immediately knew I was looking at the promise of a very special game!
Nearly 14 years after it original release, the game has benefited from a great series updates (including a Virtual Reality case, UHD upscaling, and a revision of game mechanic) giving the most complete experience the game has to offer to late adopters at a very reasonable price. It was also the perfect gift for MGR as the title resonate with my passion for storytelling in video games. As I loaded the disc into my PS4, I could hide my excitement - I already new L.A. Noire will be a real treat, yet I couldn’t expect how good the game was…
Themes and Context: The dark and gritty reality of Los Angeles in the 40's
From the very first minutes, L.A. Noire pays homage to the film noir style of the 1940s and 50s. Its cinematic style immediately frames the cultural and social setting in which the game operates. Each case begins with a title card reminiscent of the time’s iconic movie style—succinct, subjective, and wrapped in mystery (Upon Reflection, The Driver's Seat, A Marriage Made in Heaven…). Initially, these cases feel straightforward, serving as a gentle introduction to the game’s mechanics. However, this simplicity is deceptive, as the layers of complexity grow with each case, echoing the noir tradition of deeper truths.
The game’s adherence to the storytelling style of classic noir is apparent in its linear, less fragmented narrative - beside the occasional framed-narrative and flashbacks. Yet, beneath this simplicity lies a profound exploration of the cultural and societal challenges affecting the USA at this time - particularly with regards to the difficult reintegration of World War II soldiers into civilian life. The game poignantly illustrates the lack of (or misguided) support provided to these individuals, a theme that resonates not just with the 1940s but with later conflicts like Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
This theme unfolds subtly through parallel narratives, side dialogues, newspaper articles, and flashbacks to the protagonist’s wartime on the battlefield. These moments shape the protagonist—a young, eager individual driven by loyalty, righteousness, and an unwavering commitment to the cause. This sense of duty and morality places him in stark contrast to the corrupt systems and criminal underbelly of Los Angeles, suggesting an inevitable collision and polarised alignment between his values and the world he navigates.
Los Angeles itself is the perfect backdrop for such a tale. A city of glitz and glamour, lies and deception, it thrives on illusion and faux-semblant. The booming film industry wields stardom and power, gangs clash in the dark alleys, and institutions are driven by individuals hungry for control and authority. The result is a setting where morality is a malleable concept, and justice often serves those in power. Even two hours into the game, the possibility that the protagonist could be manipulated, framed, or fall victim to this corruption looms ominously…
Gameplay and Mechanics: Immersion and Storytelling
L.A. Noire’s gameplay mechanics are designed to keep players immersed in its vintage investigative experience. One standout feature is the investigation notebook, an interactive and thematic in-game menu where players can review collected evidence, track case progress, and decide on the next location to investigate. By integrating this tool seamlessly into the gameplay, the game eliminates the friction of navigating external menus and maintains the immersive atmosphere of solving crimes.
Investigations are primarily cantered around two key mechanics: evidence collection and interrogations. Exploring crime scenes to uncover clues is accompanied by the descriptive voiceover of the protagonist, guiding players while adding narrative context, doubts and suggestions. The interrogation system, however, is where the game truly shines. Players engage in question-and-answer dialogues with suspects and witnesses, using one of three approaches: playing Good Cop, Bad Cop, or outright Accuse them of lying. Each choice carries consequences, and getting it wrong can jeopardize your case altogether.
The brilliance of this system lies in its reliance on facial expressions and body language, brought to life by innovative photogrammetry technology (first of its kind in 2011). Talented actors deliver performances so nuanced that players must analyse subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) cues to determine the credibility of the intel shared with them. This mechanic was revolutionary and remains unmatched by other games in its level of realism and impact.
To support players, the game includes an intuition system, where points earned through experience can be spent to reduce the number of reaction options during questioning, adding an element of strategy to the proceedings. The more your collect XP from one case to another, the more intuitive you become, the more likely you are to solve the case…
Beyond investigations, L.A. Noire faithfully captures the tropes of police dramas with action-packed sequences like rooftop chases, distant monitoring, car tailing, bank shootings, and more. Every element is true to the genre, keeping gameplay aligned with the tone and themes of the story. The minimalist UI further enhances this sense of immersion, drawing attention to the dialogue, visuals, and the rich world of 1940s Los Angeles.
With its unique mechanics and meticulous attention to detail, L.A. Noire offers an experience that’s not just immersive but thematically cohesive - it a rare achievement in gaming, more especially in an open-world, where so many elements could break this sense of tone and unity.
A Masterpiece Worth (Re)Exploring
Regardless of its release date, L.A. Noire exemplifies the enduring value of games that have paved the way for contemporary titles. Yet, what truly sets this game apart is how it stands the test of time through its rich, fast-paced gameplay and strong storytelling foundations.
It’s easy to see why many people of my circle have called L.A. Noire their favourite game of all time. Even after just two hours of gameplay, I find myself deeply invested in the protagonist and his journey, hoping he will meet a better fate than the criminal he is chasing… The blend of his development as a detective and the lingering shadows of his past as a soldier promises a narrative arc that’s as gripping as it is unpredictable - and I am here for it!
The game’s accessibility adds to its appeal. With prices as low as £4 on Steam and around £15 for the PS4 UHD version (which includes VR cases) at time of writing, L.A. Noire offers incredible value for players eager to dive into detective work and investigation storytelling. Few titles have so thoroughly honoured the genre while delivering an experience that feels gripping, stylish and so rewarding - even years after release.
Where to get L.A. Noire?
Fancy joining me on the discovery of this great title? Here are the Amazon affiliate links for L.A. Noire - all qualified purchase will help towards the content creation of MattGoesRogue.
L.A. Noire for PS4: https://amzn.to/4274LOO
L.A. Noire for Xbox One: https://amzn.to/40k5X0g
L.A. Noire for Switch: https://amzn.to/4gYIHdF
Read more about Affiliate Links here.
L.A. Noire on PC:
Humble Bundle: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/la-noire
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/110800/LA_Noire/
Conclusion
If you haven’t played L.A. Noire yet, now is the perfect time to discover why it’s celebrated as a must-play! And if you’ve already experienced this amazing game, perhaps it’s time to revisit and test whether your intuition as a seasoned investigator still holds up!
What’s your take on L.A. Noire?
Have you played it? Do you think Rockstar should deliver a sequel to this masterpiece? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Useful Links
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