Let's just settle things straight away, Team Bondi and Rockstar Games have managed to create one of the most cinematic and movie-like experiences you'll have ever experienced in a video game. L.A Noire puts the player in the shoes of Cole Phelps - an LAPD officer who's looking to rise through the detective ranks. Set in 1947 Los Angeles the game sees you moving between different desks for Traffic, Homicide, Vice and Arson. You'll come across a myriad of crime, murders, and corruption throughout the 16-20 hour experience.
The game offers multiple different styles of gameplay which are blended relatively seamlessly together. Each case begins with a short cutscene showing the crime taking place. You'll then get sent off to track down and apprehend the criminal, with varying success. At first you'll usually have to explore every nook and cranny of the crime scene to gain evidence and clues to further your investigation. Team Bondi have simplified things by offering audio feedback when Cole is stood over an object which can be investigated - after hearing the chime, players can simply hit A to look closer at the object. These objects have been created with such detail that the camera simply pans in closer so that the player can see each object as if it was real. You'll literally be able to read the text on letters and even see minute engravings in weapons - it's certainly impressive. Objects can be manipulated using the analog stick and sometimes require you to hold the camera in a specific point for a small amount of time for it to then zoom in for a closer look - this is represented with a vibration in the controller. Sometimes crime scenes have some basic puzzles for you to complete, such as putting a series of pipes back together to find which piece is missing. After all the clues have been discovered in the crime scene you'll then have to interrogate the suspects using evidence you've found to back up your claims.
I'm sure everyone knows already that L.A Noire features arguably the best facial animation we've ever seen in any video game to date - this is no exaggeration. The facial technology used by Team Bondi here really is revolutionary and could potentially change video gaming in the near future. Recognisable actors take the faces of in-game characters, and do so in a fantastic fashion; the acting throughout the entirety of L.A Noire stands as some of the most genuinely convincing I've ever experienced in a video game. Where this fancy technology actually comes into the gameplay is through the interrogations. Players must use their notebook to ask characters questions regarding the case, after listening to their responses you must then decide whether you feel the person is telling the truth, doubt them, or are telling a complete lie - in which case you must use evidence/clues found during your investigations to back up your accusation. Audio aids are used once again to tell the player whether they chose correctly or not. It's mindblowing stuff; who would have thought in 2011 we'd be able to genuinely determine whether a virtual character was telling the truth or not by their facial expressions. What's brilliant is that it just plain works. I have no doubt we'll see this technology used in many future titles, it really is that good.
You'll also experience a number of action sequences, involving both on-foot and vehicular chase sequences, and shootouts. The chase sequences are often pretty exciting thanks to scripted events such as cars colliding which will occur during these, adding to that cinematic feel. The shooting mechanics are reasonably solid, although they're certainly nothing spectular. A simple cover system is provided, similar to that seen in Red Dead Redemption, where at the tap of a button Cole will hide behind an object; from here you can pop out, aim and take a shot, or blind fire.
The developers have done a good job at not discouraging players who may not be as skilled as others; if an action sequence is failed multiple times the game will outright ask you if you want to skip it. Not only this but failing an interrogation doesn't necessarily mean you've failed the case but instead you may just discover said piece of information later than if the interrogation was successful - it's a fair system which thankfully doesn't punish the player too much. The interrogations and investigational aspects take up the majority of the game however, and as a result L.A Noire should be seen more as a modern day adventure title than an open world action game.
The story took me roughly 16 hours, and is split into individual cases, giving an almost episodic feel to the game. This certainly results in a superior experience when playing in bursts as opposed to back to back marathon sessions of case after case. Gamers may find that if they sit down for long periods of time with L.A Noire repetition begins to set in, however Team Bondi have created such an interesting story with multiple twists and turns throughout that you'll always be interested. Stand-out cases such as the Homicide ones, based on the real life Black Dhalia murders, have been wonderfully crafted and flow together brilliantly.
The game is extremely adult however - players will experience mature and gritty tones such as nudity, brutal murders, rape and drug abuse; hats off to Rockstar for having the guts to go ahead with addressing such adult themes, as they actually end up adding to the experience in immersing the player into the morbid and dark goings-on during the era. Outside of the main story there's not much to do here in Los Angeles. Side missions occur at random via the police radio - these are initially set up with pretty good introductions but generally amount to a gunfight or chase sequence in which the culprit ends up killed; you won't find any investigational or interrogation aspects here, which are certainly the strongest points of the game. It would have been nice if the developers added some more variety and meaning to these side missions; as it stands they're pretty much just a pointless distraction.
The attention to detail seen throughout the entire game is downright superb. Los Angeles has been created with such care that you'll feel like you're actually there. L.A Noire also features some of the best interior designs I've ever seen in a video game - every building you go inside feels completely convincing; with people's homes genuinely feeling lived in. Visually the game looks great, with a vast open world to explore and the level of detail that's gone into every inch of the world is superb. The game does a fantastic job of nailing the tone of the late 40's era thanks to some fitting period appropriate music.
Overall L.A Noire is one of my favourite titles this year so far. The game successfully blends investigation and interrogation aspects with enjoyable action sequences. The facial animation are hands down the best the industry has ever seen to date, and will no doubt creep into other titles in the future. Although at times the game can get a little repetitive, the individual cases and overarching story is kept interesting thanks to some brilliant characters and great acting. At 16-20 hours the storyline is well worth the admission price, and with the promise of future cases coming as DLC further down the line this could be a title you'll be coming back too for quite some time. L.A Noire isn't perfect, however it still has to be said that Team Bondi and Rockstar have truly set the bar for modern day adventure games.
L.A Noire Gets An Official Game-Pad: 9.0/10
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