L. A. Noire (video game)

[ScionPI2005]

I'm wondering if the reason some say the game is boring is because it's not a constant "shoot 'em up" type game. I love the fact that you can observe and think through the crime scenes, and review evidence as you question subjects. Of course, I've always been more interested in analytical puzzle games, of which LA Noire definitely has. I can see how that could be boring for some who expect constant action.

 

[samtemporary]

Yes - very cool game!

 

[Bob_Fixico]

I got the game and played it for a couple of days. I liked the game really did except for one problem I hated the interview questions. They were no where near what I would have asked. Just drove me crazy.

 

[lindylady]

My husband bought me the game as an anniversary present. I love the concept of it, although I was upset about the storyline of the main protagonist. I'm still waiting for news of a sequel. Jack Kelso is my favorite character.

 

[MisterGrey]

I'm wondering if the reason some say the game is boring is because it's not a constant "shoot 'em up" type game. I love the fact that you can observe and think through the crime scenes, and review evidence as you question subjects. Of course, I've always been more interested in analytical puzzle games, of which LA Noire definitely has. I can see how that could be boring for some who expect constant action.

For me, the boredom came from the poor execution of the concept. In theory, it'd be cool to play detective and solve crimes by searching for evidence and interrogating witnesses/suspects, but too often the "answers" were arbitrary or esoteric. The interrogation system was terribly flawed-- the tells were either blatantly obvious, or so close in animation to the suspects' "bored/annoyed" faces that there was no differentiating between the two.

I also found the way that the cases were to be solved too rigid-- for ostensibly being a sandbox style game, there's a very definite progression in each of the cases, with no room for your own style. A much more intriguing game would have allowed the player to go the good cop/bad cop route, a'la "Fallout." I know that this game was partially an antidote to the amorality of the Grand Theft Auto games, but, c'mon-- LA Police in the 1940s, and you're not going to let the player indulge in a little "questionable" behavior?

Then there's the pacing. The move to homicide comes too quickly, and once it happens, the events of the game appear to move towards a climax. The Black Dahlia case is a miniature game unto itself, and after it's over, I at least got a "What now?" kind of feeling. The plot about Cole and his war past was too unevenly distributed throughout the game to make it engaging, especially if you miss one or two of the newspapers; it's completely possible to get to the end of the game and have no idea what in the world is going on.

And the end of the game-- what a jumble! You're with Cole for 95% of the game, only to be switched to a guy you could feasibly have little to no connection with for the final missions, with Cole being left to drift out in the ether. Then, for a game that's been nominally about puzzle solving and interrogations, it randomly becomes a shoot-em-up. I'd been anticipating the final case to involve getting an air-tight arrest on the evil psychiatrist; his abrupt "off-screen" death and the introduction of the firebug as the game's ultimate villain felt sloppy.

Overall, I thought that the game was an example of a wonderful concept with an awful execution.

 

[PT Monteith]

I have enjoyed playing this game. A friend recommended it so I took the plunge and picked up a console and the complete version game with the extra cases. Recent modern attempts to market period piece entertainment usually leave me anywhere from unimpressed to offended. So far this one is better than I expected. I'm no gamer by any stretch though. The last video game that I played regularly was Chrono Trigger on the SNES.

Of course the city in LA Noire isn't historically accurate. The Intolerance set was taken down well before '47. Some of the cars are from a couple years after the game takes place among other things. However, I'm impressed by the level of detail in the characters and pedestrians, the store fronts, the interior of the landmarks, and the landscapes. I'm slowly working my way through it. The storyline is mixture of generic noir and hard-boiled detective fiction. The 50 hidden film reels are useless to the story arc, but it's practically a list of my favorite movies. I like how the Black Dahlia case was incorporated into the homicide desk, but the twist wasn't my cup of tea.

I'm currently in the Vice desk and it's still engaging enough for me to continue. I don't see myself playing any other games on the PS3 after I finish this one so I'll probably list the console and the game in the classifieds as a bundle when I finish it up. Until then, I'll keep on cruising the city and working the cases.

 

[scotrace]

Here were are all this time later and I've just gotten my hands on this.

I'm really just trying to learn to drive the cars so far. Crash, crash, crash.

 

[scotrace]

Made it all the way through. Fantastic fun, and amazing graphics!

 

[Wesslyn]

I've spent a lot of time with this game, and I enjoy it a lot. The premise of being a detective in the golden era is definitely right up my alley. Not as much fun as GTA but being a Rockstar Game, it's similar enough in feel that it still does it for me.
I'd really love a sequel but with the demise of Bondi I doubt it'll happen.
A sequel in NYC or Chicago would be fantastic though. Lots of possibilities that will likely never come to fruition.

 

[Tiki Tom]

L.A. Noire re-launch? I may have to give it a try.

http://www.businessinsider.com/rockstar-games-la-noire-nintendo-switch-xbox-one-ps4-vive-2017-9?IR=T