Title: L.A. Noire
Year: 2011
Country of Origin: Australia
Director: Brendan McNamara
Wait what?: Yeah, I know...L.A. Noire is not a movie and is in fact a game. Though in my defense it was the first game to be entered into the Tribeca Film Festival, where it received official selection. So considering it won a top honor at a film festival, I think it's fair game.
Introduction: To tell the truth I've been waiting for L.A. Noire to come out since the first teaser trailer was released back in 2006. I'm still not sure if the game was worth the five year wait. It's the first game developed by Team Bondi, but that doesn't matter since the game plays and looks like a Rockstar game. So how does this game hold up against Rockstar's other games, does it live up to it's own unbelievable hype?
Plot: If there is a common theme running through all of Rockstar's games this generation, it's the theme of Man and his past. Or more specifically, Man's inability to escape from his past. We've seen this theme with GTA4's Niko Bellic and RD:R's John Marston. They are both men whose past deeds have caught up with them. Then there is Cole Phelps, who is by far and away the most depressing character yet. I wont go into detail, but by the end of the game you just feel sorry for the guy. This is a good sign by the way, since it means that Cole Phelps is a well written character. It's hard to feels sorry for a poorly written cardboard cutout. This goes for most of the characters in the story, L.A. Noire is one of the rare games where just about every character has personality. Sure there are those that aren't exactly memorable, but that's just the way it should be...considering how many people you interact with along the way.
Anyway the game takes place in 1947 Los Angeles, a city that is exploding in wealth, population, and size. It's literally a place that went from a speck on the map to a sprawling metropolis in almost no time. It was a city where drugs and violence run rampant and had a police force that was corrupt to its core. It's also a city where a whole generation was returning from a violent and horrific war to their old mundane jobs. It's the perfect setting for a good Noire story and this game doesn't miss the opportunity to tell one...or several. The game could be split into four or five parts each with their own set of self contained cases. Though many of the cases do relate to each other, especially latter in the game. My only issue with the plot though is that it gets a little disjointed at times, which is to be expected in a game. That and it's a little predictable, especially if you've read a Noire novel or watched a Noire film in the past. With that said, the game still puts it's own spin on things and despite being overtly familiar the plot still manages to feel fresh.
One of the big things going for this game is it's of the MotionScan technology, which allows for realistic facial animations. This is done by utilizing 32 cameras to capture an actors facial movements. This technology helps to lend realism and believability to the cast of L.A. Noire. The motion scan technology is so good that you'll recognize actors throughout the game. It's really some impressive technology and if developed and used further in the industry it could drastically change story telling in gaming.
Gameplay: L.A. Noire is not a game that has many original ideas Gameplay wise. Most of the gameplay that makes up the L.A. Noire experience has been done before and in some cases have even been done better. Though what makes L.A. Noire impressive gameplay wise, is how all the various elements come together so cohesively as to where it almost seems that there nothing is out of place. That is not to say that the game is perfect by any means, the character controls are way to lose for what the player is asked to do. The cover system is way to sticky for my liking and pick up evidence to investigate can be a real pain sometimes. Though the biggest issue with the game is that it can get really monotonous at times, especially while your on homicide. Sure the game tries to do something to break the repetition of evidence hunting and questioning with chasing down suspects, on foot or by car, but even they get tiresome. It is a flaw that is a massive issue, but one that is somewhat resolved in the second half of the game.
Conclusion: To put it bluntly, there aren't any games like L.A. Norie. This is a one of a kind experience and one that pretty much any gamer worth their salt should try out. Sure it has it's flaws, but this is one of the rare AAA games that is willing to take a chance out side of the mundane shooters that us gamers are asked to buy each year. So if your looking for a game that has a decent story and gameplay that is for the most part fun. Then look no further than L.A. Noire.
[8/10]
