There's one particular aspect of "L.A. Noire" that keeps it from being a 10/10, and I'll get right to it: the primary storyline gameplay. The action in the game is very linear: main character goes to a crime scene, eyeballs all evidence, then uses said evidence to interrogate a suspect. That's it. And the storyline is kept mostly within that tight framework, moving you through the plot. The bad thing about this is that the process did (at least, for me) grow tiring, and the interrogations became frustrating. And what makes that bad is that that's the bulk of the game. I fully realize it's a detection game, but I was always more interested in exploring the environs.
And although I'm holding out hope that the game holds up on replay, for now, the good does indeed outweigh the bad.
Team Bondi brought their A-game in recreating the city. A real map with actual city streets, and actual signage. Plus, certain areas that teem with pedestrians, while others do not. The research here is incredible. Add to that an absolutely terrific score (that bass!) that grabs the viewer and pulls them right in (in some scenes, it's a full-on movie score), and the result is a living, breathing 1947 Los Angeles. The authentic setting alone makes me want to go back.
The motion capture of real actor's faces (featuring half the cast of "Mad Men") was a stroke of genius. Really, it's the only way the interrogations could work, but it's still letting see how a real actor would emote (as opposed to how an animator thinks they would). Aaron Staton does a great job in the lead role, and so does Gil McKinney as Jack Kelso.
The story itself is a dark one, and bringing the dark specters of World War II to L.A. streets was brilliant (and that ending was a genuine shocker). Eventually, the cases with Phelps wore thin, and I was thoroughly intrigued when the story switched to Kelso. Guy's a badass, and a great playable character.
And then, there's just ... the look. Much less "noir" in appearance, the game holds more in common with the looks of "L.A Confidential" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (actually, it has a great deal in common with "L.A. Confidential", from the story's scope and thread weaving to characters, tone, etc). But the game's got a distinctive visual style all its own, from the opening menus, typography, and luminescent sun-soaked L.A. streets. This is an attractive video game. You'll lose yourself in the lighting, alone.
Absorbing is the word I'd choose to describe "L.A. Noire". After taking a break, you're left itching to return to this world. And for the most part, it's a great deal of fun. I still have street crimes to get through, not to mention all the hidden stuff around town. So I really hope we see a sequel, because there's huge potential. Broaden the story a bit, make things less investigator-heavy, and let the player have access into some of the stores and more of the landmarks. This was never Grand Theft Auto from the start, but there's so much they could do with this world. The small bits of car and foot-chase and rooftop clamoring action were great bits of respite from all the evidence collecting. Just needed more of that, is all.
Even still. If the sequel's more of the same . . . here's my money.
8/10
And although I'm holding out hope that the game holds up on replay, for now, the good does indeed outweigh the bad.
Team Bondi brought their A-game in recreating the city. A real map with actual city streets, and actual signage. Plus, certain areas that teem with pedestrians, while others do not. The research here is incredible. Add to that an absolutely terrific score (that bass!) that grabs the viewer and pulls them right in (in some scenes, it's a full-on movie score), and the result is a living, breathing 1947 Los Angeles. The authentic setting alone makes me want to go back.
The motion capture of real actor's faces (featuring half the cast of "Mad Men") was a stroke of genius. Really, it's the only way the interrogations could work, but it's still letting see how a real actor would emote (as opposed to how an animator thinks they would). Aaron Staton does a great job in the lead role, and so does Gil McKinney as Jack Kelso.
The story itself is a dark one, and bringing the dark specters of World War II to L.A. streets was brilliant (and that ending was a genuine shocker). Eventually, the cases with Phelps wore thin, and I was thoroughly intrigued when the story switched to Kelso. Guy's a badass, and a great playable character.
And then, there's just ... the look. Much less "noir" in appearance, the game holds more in common with the looks of "L.A Confidential" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (actually, it has a great deal in common with "L.A. Confidential", from the story's scope and thread weaving to characters, tone, etc). But the game's got a distinctive visual style all its own, from the opening menus, typography, and luminescent sun-soaked L.A. streets. This is an attractive video game. You'll lose yourself in the lighting, alone.
Absorbing is the word I'd choose to describe "L.A. Noire". After taking a break, you're left itching to return to this world. And for the most part, it's a great deal of fun. I still have street crimes to get through, not to mention all the hidden stuff around town. So I really hope we see a sequel, because there's huge potential. Broaden the story a bit, make things less investigator-heavy, and let the player have access into some of the stores and more of the landmarks. This was never Grand Theft Auto from the start, but there's so much they could do with this world. The small bits of car and foot-chase and rooftop clamoring action were great bits of respite from all the evidence collecting. Just needed more of that, is all.
Even still. If the sequel's more of the same . . . here's my money.
8/10