Genres: Third person shooter, Open world, Action-adventure
Companies: Rockstar, Team Bondi, Take-Two Interactive
Platforms: PS3, X-Box 360, PC
4½/5
Release date: May 17th, 2011
Mode: single player
The never-ending Grand Theft Auto series has taken the world by storm. Whether it’s the guiltless thrills of drifting through an open Pro-America universe or the weird giggle had with killing prostitutes with a muscle car, Rockstar have found their winning formula. So if something isn’t broken than why try to fix it?
Instead of tampering with already golden property, they have duplicated their delectable game development style to fit other genres. Along with the rollicking thrills already had with Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire continues their successes. A controversial premise to be sure- bringing life back to an ageing film genre while using film technology to create a cinematic interactive landscape. I am however happy to report that noir has never been this dark. It turns out gamers and cinephiles can interact every once in a while. Yipee!
Checking off the film noir tropes.
This cinematic adventure through L.A. streets is a gorgeous yet stifling way of connecting to a classier time. The story is about as comical and generic as 1950s detective thrillers come. Breaking it down; a rebellious cop named Cole Phelps, his numerous police partners and the scum of L.A. walk into a bar. Well actually…they walk in and out of several. This interchanging labyrinth of criminals and cowboys clashes whenever Phelps is on the scene. You already know this type of law-man; war veteran, smart pinstripe suit, trigger finger and a nasty scowl smudged into his face.
Speaking of faces, L.A. Noire has broken more ground than just L.A’s street scape. Rockstar and Australian company Team Bondi have used 1950s archival footage and snapshots to create a truly authentic recreation of the City of Angels. Aerial photos capture a city kept inside many rectangular windows throughout history. The result stands alongside Rockstar’s similarly detailed universes. San Andreas and the american plains look conventional next to L.A. Noire‘s labyrinth of stark colours and outrageous panoramas. Its use of motion capture technology is also a positive. Having already stretched the bonds of film technology, L.A. Noire‘s characters deliver a startling level of immersion. Each face is rendered to perfection, with each wrinkle and facial expression adding to the already energetic experience.
One of many horrific crime scenes.
But what about the gameplay itself. Well, Rockstar’s open world formula has once again proven to be successful. Along with GTA and Read Dead‘s anti-hero lead characters, Phelps is yet another gun toting relic. Playing him is a treat, however, as this bad cop continually ignores the good cops and steals the spotlight. The aforementioned facial constructions look top-notch during the difficult interrogation sequences. CSI, eat your heart out – the gamer is now in control! In each chat with members of L.A’s criminal circus, three choices- truth, doubt and lie- can be picked to analyse a crook’s answer. Get this right- you’re top cop. Get them wrong, however, you risk becoming the police station idiot. These difficult interrogations are still better than the car controls. Sure, the chases move well. But its hard to manoeuvre cars that handle like school-buses.
L.A. Noire is best served to a true media nut. With many references to films such as The Untouchables, Chinatown and L.A. Confidential, they can enjoy how one medium has cooperated with another to create one hell of a game. Just imagine what could come next. Goodfellas as a first person shooter, perhaps?
