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L.A. Noire

L.A. Noire's intriguing character profile, deep interrogation and investigation system, and impeccably detailed facial technology puts this detective thriller in a class of its own.
84%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
optimization, stability
84% User Score Based on 33,602 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 7 reviews

Platforms

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About

"L.A. Noire" is a detective crime thriller set in 1940s Los Angeles. As detective Cole Phelps, players solve a variety of cases while navigating the city's criminal underworld. Realistic facial capturing technology creates a unique and immersive gameplay experience, allowing for interrogations and investigations that lead to arresting and convicting suspects.

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L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
L.A. Noire screenshot
+14

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 33,602 reviews
story5.3k positive mentions
optimization288 negative mentions
  • The game features a compelling narrative with intricate storytelling and character development, particularly for the protagonist, Cole Phelps.
  • The atmosphere is richly immersive, capturing the essence of 1940s Los Angeles with period-accurate details in visuals, music, and character design.
  • The innovative investigative mechanics and unique facial expression system enhance the detective work, making it engaging for players.
  • Gameplay can feel repetitive and formulaic, with tedious tasks and a lack of polish in driving and combat elements.
  • The game's graphics feel dated and are marred by performance issues, including a locked 30 fps frame rate and occasional glitches.
  • The linear narrative limits replayability, and many players find the overall experience can become monotonous over extended play sessions.
  • story
    12,297 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "L.A. Noire" is widely praised for its intricate narrative that unfolds through a series of interconnected cases, each rich with noir themes and character development. Players follow detective Cole Phelps as he navigates the dark underbelly of post-WWII Los Angeles, with the plot gradually revealing deeper layers of corruption and personal conflict, making it a compelling experience for fans of story-driven games. While some critiques mention pacing issues and a lack of engaging gameplay outside the main narrative, the overall storytelling, character arcs, and atmospheric setting are highlighted as standout features that elevate the game.

    • “Every case feels like an episode of a noir show, and while they feel unrelated at first, all cases eventually present a bigger story, one which is anything but angelic.”
    • “The main protagonist also develops gradually through the game, his backstory is revealed in parts, through flashbacks triggered in different cases.”
    • “It's a mature and well-written story, which should be experienced slowly.”
    • “The plot is incoherent and never gripped me during the time I wasted with this wannabe detective game.”
    • “The story was well done, and for a change you get to play on the enforcement side in an open world game.”
    • “The story, although it starts off a bit slow, quickly picks up the pace, and offers plenty of twists, turns, and on-the-edge-of-your-seat movements.”
  • gameplay
    4,897 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "L.A. Noire" is centered around detective work, requiring players to investigate crime scenes, gather clues, and interrogate suspects using a unique facial expression mechanic to determine truthfulness. While the game offers a compelling narrative and innovative mechanics, many players find the gameplay repetitive and formulaic, with driving and combat elements lacking polish compared to other Rockstar titles. Overall, the game is praised for its storytelling and atmosphere, but its gameplay can feel tedious and slow, especially over extended play sessions.

    • “Detective work is at the center of gameplay; you must carefully examine clues and link evidence in order to solve cases.”
    • “Set in post-World War II Los Angeles, the game combines traditional open-world exploration with investigation-focused gameplay, offering a unique blend of noir storytelling and interactive drama.”
    • “The investigative mechanics are a standout, requiring you to scour crime scenes for clues, interrogate suspects, and make critical decisions that impact the outcome of your cases.”
    • “There's so much potential here that is lost to its extremely repetitive gameplay, the length overstaying its welcome by a good 10-15 hours, and the characters and dialogue being literal dog poop.”
    • “Repetitive gameplay elements: some aspects of the gameplay, such as the questioning and interrogation mechanics, can become repetitive over time.”
    • “The gameplay is dull to say the least, without the atmosphere to justify it.”
  • graphics
    2,991 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "L.A. Noire" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the impressive facial animations and attention to detail that were groundbreaking at the time of its release in 2011. However, players note that the overall graphics feel dated by today's standards, often citing issues like a locked 30 fps frame rate and occasional graphical glitches. While the game's aesthetic successfully captures the noir atmosphere of 1940s Los Angeles, some users express a desire for a remaster to enhance the visual experience further.

    • “They reflected the atmosphere of the period wonderfully; the music, the visuals, everything is very good.”
    • “The graphics and facial animation were groundbreaking at the time and remain impressive, adding realism and depth to character interactions.”
    • “The graphics are surprisingly good for its age and the story and gameplay are great.”
    • “Graphics are really horrendous and it is locked at 30 fps.”
    • “The graphics are so dated that you might wonder if the internet even existed when this game was released, yet they still require a connection to play this single player game.”
    • “The main downside is the really bad graphics and just overall age of the game.”
  • music
    1,551 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "L.A. Noire" is widely praised for its authentic jazz soundtrack that effectively captures the 1940s atmosphere, enhancing the game's immersive experience. Players appreciate the period-appropriate tracks and the way the music complements the narrative and gameplay, although some express a desire for more variety and the ability to change radio stations. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic and noir-inspired ambiance.

    • “Its richly detailed open world is teeming with period-accurate cars, fashion, music, and architecture, immersing players in a noir-inspired atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is further enriched by an authentic soundtrack that captures the era’s feel.”
    • “The jazzy soundtrack captures the era's essence, enhancing the atmosphere as players roam the city streets.”
    • “Sometimes the 'clue-finding music' doesn't turn off after you find them all.”
    • “You can't turn off the music or switch radio stations.”
    • “The music after you made the wrong choice doesn't help as well.”
  • atmosphere
    1,278 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "L.A. Noire" is widely praised for its immersive recreation of 1940s Los Angeles, capturing the essence of the film noir genre through meticulous attention to detail in visuals, music, and character design. Players feel transported to a bygone era, with the game's rich soundscape and period-accurate elements enhancing the overall experience. While some critiques mention gameplay flaws, the atmospheric setting remains a standout feature that deeply engages players in the narrative and detective work.

    • “Its richly detailed open world is teeming with period-accurate cars, fashion, music, and architecture, immersing players in a noir-inspired atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is rich with period-accurate details, from the music to the fashion, which truly immerses you in the era.”
    • “The meticulously designed cityscape of Los Angeles captures the essence of the time period, complete with stunning visuals, realistic character models, and a captivating soundtrack that perfectly complements the atmosphere.”
    • “The gameplay is dull to say the least, without the atmosphere to justify it.”
    • “I'm both happy and disappointed by this game; on one hand it sets a moody atmosphere and you definitely feel the old Rockstar design with its world design and characters, but it is ruined by frankly, bulls**t.”
    • “Around the 3rd act I had a bad feeling about what direction the game was going because of where the shift in atmosphere and narrative of the game went; after figuring out that the studio took a nosedive in funds sometime into production, it made sense that the storytelling did too.”
  • optimization
    855 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of L.A. Noire on PC has been widely criticized, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, including a frustrating 30 fps cap, stuttering, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While the game's innovative facial capture technology and strong voice acting are praised, the poor optimization detracts from the overall experience, often requiring players to seek out patches or workarounds to achieve a smoother gameplay experience. Despite these challenges, the game's engaging story and character performances still shine through, making it a worthwhile play for those willing to navigate the technical difficulties.

    • “Noire's groundbreaking facial capture technology paved the way for more nuanced and realistic character performances in video games.”
    • “The technology captures the smallest facial details of the actors, resulting in remarkably realistic and expressive performances.”
    • “The awesome performances and great facial capture make every interrogation and investigation a riveting affair.”
    • “It's a very good game but an awful experience on PC thanks to the Rockstar launcher and poor optimization.”
    • “The biggest problem is that in 2021, this game runs like an unoptimized mess, staying locked at 30fps no matter what you do in the graphics settings.”
    • “The game is a disappointment on PC, considering that the frame rate is capped at 30 frames per second, and the game appears to be poorly optimized.”
  • stability
    440 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, particularly in the PC port. Common issues include graphical glitches, frame rate drops, and occasional crashes, which can detract from the overall experience. While some users have managed to enjoy the game without significant problems, the consensus is that the game is generally unstable and requires considerable troubleshooting to run smoothly.

    • “Runs great and doesn't crash.”
    • “You can enjoy this full game bug free at 30 fps (unmodable).”
    • “After a little tinkering, this game runs great on Windows 10.”
    • “Unfortunately completely unplayable - the game wouldn't even open despite hours of trying and troubleshooting.”
    • “This port is pretty rubbish: it's a buggy, unstable mess.”
    • “The game is very what is the hmm...... lovely but yet it glitches every second I am on it, beware you may be wasting your money.”
  • replayability
    378 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it offers some opportunities for replay through collectibles and different case outcomes, the linear narrative and familiarity with the story significantly limit its overall replay value. Some players enjoyed revisiting the game for achievements or to explore different paths, but many felt that one playthrough was sufficient, citing a lack of engaging content for subsequent runs. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for a single experience, but not particularly compelling for repeated play.

    • “Although its emphasis on narrative hinders its replayability, I've still managed to put in over 200 hours, replaying missions, dealing with street crimes, and generally vibing in 1940s Los Angeles.”
    • “Replayability: with multiple cases to solve and different paths to take, the game offers considerable replay value.”
    • “This game delivers an amazing experience with plenty of replay value.”
    • “The replay value is limited due to the linear storyline.”
    • “Shame that its replayability is zero.”
    • “The game itself is quite specific and to be frank, due to the nature of it, the replayability of this title is very low (what point in solving a case, if you already know the culprit?).”
  • humor
    357 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a blend of intentional and unintentional comedy, with players finding amusement in the exaggerated facial expressions, quirky character interactions, and absurd situations that arise during gameplay. Many reviews highlight the hilarity of the interrogation scenes, where reading suspects' faces can lead to both funny and outrageous outcomes, while the game's noir setting adds a layer of dark humor. Overall, the dialogue and character dynamics contribute to a light-hearted experience, making it enjoyable despite its serious themes.

    • “It's got the seriousness that you'd expect of rdr's narrative and it's lighter on the satire than the GTA series while still being able to keep its humor to lighten the serious tone of the game.”
    • “The interrogation scenes are pure gold – trying to read people's faces is as addictive as it is hilarious.”
    • “The characters are very expressive, especially when they're not telling the truth; they can look very funny!”
    • “Introduction to the story: [spoiler](I know everybody hates reading those, especially mine, because of my stupid writing style consisting of repetitions, long sentences, unfunny jokes which are based on 30-year-old memes which are understandable only by people of Baltimore and are recorded on worn-out VHS tapes, and also explaining either obvious things or making outlandish claims such as the one above about the aforementioned meme being understandable only to people of Baltimore while in fact it is known among all internet users since at least 2006 despite being made in the late 1980s, so you don't have to read this, unless you really like reading and stuff, but I don't mind, because I am not a pretentious 14-year-old kid who has to complain about people not bothering to read his complaints about people not bothering about his complaints etc. in a pseudo-intellectual fashion, especially in a Steam review - no, seriously, I've seen that already, can't remember where exactly, but I did)[/spoiler]”
    • “Not funny, very good (10/10)”
    • “And Phelps going berserk when you just want to tell someone you doubt their opinion is never not funny.”
  • grinding
    290 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tediousness, with many players expressing frustration over repetitive tasks such as clue-finding, driving, and rewatching cutscenes after failing missions. While some enjoy the detective work and story, the overall consensus is that the gameplay can feel overly long and monotonous, often detracting from the enjoyment of the experience. Players recommend approaching the game in short bursts to mitigate the tedium.

    • “Clue gathering is not too tedious, as you can get a sound effect when there is one, the music will change when you have gathered all of them, and Cole will comment if something is not relevant to the case.”
    • “Puzzles are pretty fun and not tedious except for maybe 1 or 2 throughout the whole game.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I picked this game up on sale because I love mystery/puzzle/detective games, and while it’s an impressively made game in some regards, I can’t recommend it because it’s simply tedious.”
    • “The gameplay is just so tedious, as you spend most of your time walking around staring at the ground and looking for objects to pick up that mostly don't even relate to the case you're investigating.”
    • “The central mechanics in this game are tedious at best, and frustratingly opaque at worst.”
  • emotional
    214 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "LA Noire" is widely praised for its intricate storytelling and character depth, with many players expressing a strong attachment to the protagonist, Detective Cole Phelps, and the various cases he navigates. The game effectively explores heavy themes such as corruption and trauma, often evoking genuine emotional responses, including tears during pivotal moments. However, some critiques highlight that while the main narrative is compelling, certain side characters lack development, which can diminish overall emotional investment.

    • “The storyline interweaves multiple cases, touching on themes like corruption, addiction, and the psychological scars of war.”
    • “It's not often that a game can make you genuinely care about the fate of its characters, but LA Noire succeeded in pulling at my heartstrings and making me emotionally invested in their lives.”
    • “Cole Phelps' journey, even heartbreaking at times, remains undeniably gripping.”
    • “There are many other cons like the boring story, soulless city, silly free roam missions, etc., but I think this is already more than enough to give a negative review.”
    • “Boring and repetitive gameplay... frustrating interviews... and, overall, a boring story.”
    • “Most boring story and case structure I have ever witnessed in a detective game.”
  • character development
    92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is widely praised, particularly for the main character, Cole Phelps, who undergoes significant growth throughout the narrative. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the characters, some feel that certain supporting characters lack sufficient development. Overall, the game's strong storytelling and character arcs are highlighted as key elements that enhance the immersive experience, despite some criticisms regarding linearity and occasional gameplay monotony.

    • “The character development is top-notch, with each member of the cast contributing to the rich tapestry of the game's world.”
    • “You witness incredible character development as you follow detective Cole Phelps on his crusade of justice in the corrupt city of Angels, working with his partner(s) to solve crimes even Sherlock Holmes would be stumped by.”
    • “Around 30-40 hours of great story writing, fantastic character development, and a sprinkle of action to throw in.”
    • “Character development: while the main character, Cole Phelps, undergoes significant development, some supporting characters lack depth.”
    • “There is no character development and the dialogue is completely cringe-worthy.”
    • “Also the ending was awful and most of the characters were clear-cut with no character development.”
  • monetization
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, particularly for its reliance on microtransactions and in-game purchases, which many players view as a greedy practice that detracts from the overall experience. Players express nostalgia for a time when Rockstar Games focused on quality content without the burden of microtransactions, lamenting the integration of ads and the shift towards monetization over immersive gameplay. Despite these concerns, some players appreciate the game's authentic representation of its historical setting, though they remain frustrated by the current monetization practices.

    • “Overall an amazing experience, a testament to the ultra high quality that characterized Rockstar games before they deteriorated into the world of wokeness, online game modes, and microtransactions.”
    • “Don't listen to these idiots leaving negative reviews just because of Take-Two's involvement with microtransactions.”
    • “That is a publisher sin and they should be ashamed, but they just want that sweet, sweet money and user data to sell off to the highest bidder to give you ads.”
    • “I miss when Rockstar Games didn't have microtransactions.”
    • “Shows what Rockstar are capable of when they're not milking millions out of microtransactions.”

85%Critics’ scoreBased on 7 critic reviews

Buy L.A. Noire

27h Median play time
38h Average play time
22h Main story
42h Completionist
8-45h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 174 analyzed playthroughs

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