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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.
L.A. Noire Game Cover
84%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
optimization, stability
84% User Score Based on 17,875 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 7 reviews

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L.A. Noire Game Cover

About

L.A. Noire is a single player open world shooter game with mystery, thriller and historical themes. It was developed by Rockstar Leeds and was released on November 8, 2011. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

"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
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84%
Audience ScoreBased on 17,875 reviews
story2.8k positive mentions
optimization150 negative mentions
  • The story is intricately woven, with a compelling narrative and immersive atmosphere set in 1940s Los Angeles, praised for its depth and character development.
  • The game features innovative interrogation mechanics and detailed crime scene investigations, allowing players to engage deeply with the narrative.
  • The atmosphere is richly crafted, with stunning visuals, period-accurate music, and strong voice acting that enhance the overall experience.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive and clunky, particularly in driving and shooting mechanics, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
  • Many players report significant performance issues, including a frustrating 30 fps cap, frequent crashes, and stuttering, especially on PC.
  • The linear narrative structure limits replayability, as many players find the outcomes predictable after the first playthrough.
  • story
    6,553 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "L.A. Noire" is widely praised for its intricate narrative and immersive atmosphere, set against the backdrop of 1940s Los Angeles. Players appreciate the depth of the main character, Cole Phelps, as he navigates various cases that intertwine personal and professional challenges, revealing themes of corruption and redemption. However, some critiques highlight pacing issues and a lack of meaningful choices, with the overarching plot sometimes feeling disjointed or rushed, particularly towards the end. Overall, the game is recommended for its compelling storytelling and character development, making it a standout in the detective genre.

    • “Absolutely great game, the storyline is so amazing and the ending is really wild.”
    • “The story is great, has that L.A. Confidential vibe to it.”
    • “The story, atmosphere, and characters truly sell the game, it really offers a compelling world.”
    • “The beginning was suitable to pave the way for the rest of the story, but unfortunately there are some gaps in the story of some of the characters, and there is an event that happens before the end of the game.”
    • “On top of that, there are some elements in the story that come completely out of left field and are not really explained to the player; this feels especially strange because the game is a slow burn, where if you're paying attention from the start, the seeds of essentially every mystery in the game are planted quite early on.”
    • “The main problem i guess with the game is the storyline, the developers messed storyline as at times they just either make the lead character do something outta the blue or cut away scenes without explaining anything especially at end of game, the ending was so unsatisfying and pile of garbage.”
  • gameplay
    2,629 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *L.A. Noire* is a mixed bag, praised for its innovative interrogation mechanics and detailed crime scene investigations, which allow players to read facial expressions and body language to determine truthfulness. However, many players find the gameplay repetitive and clunky, particularly in driving and shooting mechanics, which detracts from the overall experience. While the narrative and atmosphere are compelling, the gameplay can feel tedious over time, leading to a divide among players regarding its enjoyment.

    • “Noire is a true masterpiece for its time — the story, atmosphere, and gameplay are unforgettable.”
    • “The gameplay combines crime scene investigation, clue gathering, intense interrogations, and action-packed sequences like chases and shootouts.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and the dialogue choices add tension and excitement to the game.”
    • “There is a noticeable pop-in and poor level of detail during gameplay; there isn't a fix for it as of right now, unfortunately.”
    • “It's a shame really as I only heard good things before this, but after trying it out for myself, I'm extremely disappointed in the interrogation mechanic as it is so simplistic and rudimentary that it's unable to capture any complexity a real investigation would have and therefore utterly kills the enjoyment out of it for me.”
    • “The gameplay can feel slow-paced compared to other Rockstar titles, and some mechanics — like driving or action sequences — are a bit clunky.”
  • graphics
    1,554 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "L.A. Noire" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the groundbreaking facial animations and attention to detail that were impressive for its time, particularly in 2011. However, players note that the overall graphics feel dated by modern standards, often likening them to early console titles, and the game is capped at 30fps, which detracts from the experience. While some appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and immersive atmosphere, others criticize the technical issues and lack of optimization in the PC port, leading to graphical glitches and performance problems.

    • “The graphics are stunning and the storyline is gripping, with unexpected twists and turns at every corner.”
    • “From the very start, the game immerses you in a meticulously recreated cityscape teeming with period detail—from vintage cars and architecture to jazz-infused streets and noir aesthetics.”
    • “The graphics still hold up very well, and the open world of L.A. is beautifully designed, capturing the essence of the 1940s.”
    • “The graphics look terrible on a modern PC, the camera and movement feel clunky, and to top it all off, it’s somehow more expensive than the other game.”
    • “The graphics are outdated, with the exception of the characters.”
    • “The graphics are terrible for a game that came out in 2011; RDR looks better than this.”
  • music
    829 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its authentic jazz soundtrack, which effectively immerses players in the 1940s Los Angeles setting. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many noting that it complements the game's narrative and gameplay, creating a cinematic experience reminiscent of classic noir films. However, some players express frustration over the inability to control the radio or switch tracks while driving, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the music.

    • “The music and the sounds of the game are top notch too, and like the setting and cars, builds your immersion for a 1940s Los Angeles.”
    • “The sound design complements the visuals perfectly, with a jazz-infused soundtrack and carefully crafted ambient noises that further immerse you in the 1940s world.”
    • “The atmosphere is fantastic, with period-accurate cars, music, and fashion that fully immerse you in the noir setting.”
    • “Lastly because this rant could go on and on but its pointless because you probably fell in the same trap that I did that this is considered a fabulous masterpiece that everyone should play, you can't even control the radio. No fallout blues for you, nooooo! 70% to 80% of the time it's this terribly loud annoying sound effects that's weirdly considered the music making it for me a whopping 2/10.”
    • “The music after you made the wrong choice doesn't help as well.”
    • “The soundtrack gets the job done, but isn't anything spectacular, just a very stereotypical noir mystery soundtrack that fills in the gaps between dialogue.”
  • atmosphere
    698 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 film noir through detailed environments, period-accurate music, and strong voice acting. Players feel transported into a gritty detective narrative, with the game's rich visual and auditory elements enhancing the overall experience. Despite some criticisms of gameplay mechanics, the atmospheric depth remains a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.

    • “The atmosphere, storytelling, and facial animation technology are impressive, making it a standout title in the crime-solving genre.”
    • “The atmosphere is just thick, from the smoky jazz clubs to the grimy back alleys.”
    • “Its immersive atmosphere, engaging mysteries, and stunning visual design make it a standout title in the genre.”
    • “If Rockstar ever decides to remake it, they need to add side quests, fewer main story quests, more interesting NPCs, and somehow capture the 1940s film noir atmosphere, which in its current state this fails to do.”
    • “After a certain point—let's say the homicide desk—the only thing keeping this game together is the noir vibe and atmosphere, but atmosphere can only take something so far.”
    • “The gameplay is dull to say the least, without the atmosphere to justify it.”
  • optimization
    463 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of L.A. Noire on PC has been widely criticized, with many users reporting significant performance issues, including a frustrating 30 fps cap, frequent crashes, and stuttering, even on high-end systems. While some players have found workarounds, such as installing patches to improve performance, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for modern hardware, detracting from an otherwise engaging experience. Despite its innovative motion capture technology and strong performances, the technical shortcomings have left many players disappointed.

    • “The technology and work put into bringing these performances to life with the theme of the game is absolutely revolutionary and elevates the gameplay.”
    • “The awesome performances and great facial capture make every interrogation and investigation a riveting affair.”
    • “Noire is a staggering technological achievement, offering up a fantastically detailed open world, varied gameplay, and some of the best acting performances ever.”
    • “To be brutally honest, this game as a PC port is terribly optimized and created for PC.”
    • “The last problem is the problems with optimization on modern PCs, to where I had to install a patch that would help it run at higher frames and wouldn't have me constantly adjusting the Hz on my monitor every time I launched the game.”
    • “It's a very good game but an awful experience on PC thanks to the Rockstar launcher and poor optimization.”
  • stability
    229 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many players reporting a variety of bugs and glitches, including freezing, crashes, and graphical issues. While some users find these problems manageable and not game-breaking, others describe the experience as frustrating and unplayable, particularly on PC. Overall, the game is seen as a buggy port that requires significant troubleshooting to run smoothly, especially on modern hardware.

    • “And it runs great on the Steam Deck!”
    • “Runs great and doesn't crash.”
    • “After a little tinkering, this game runs great on Windows 10.”
    • “Unfortunately, I can only get about 30-45 minutes into it before it freezes up and is unplayable.”
    • “An absolutely buggy mess but an absolute joy.”
    • “This atrocity is the poorest example of a PC port up to date, not only has it a 30fps lock, it is bug-ridden, crashes and freezes on every other instance, lags like hell and is in an overall poor state.”
  • humor
    202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mix of intentional and unintentional moments, with players highlighting funny dialogue, exaggerated facial expressions, and amusing glitches. While some missions can feel repetitive and the graphics dated, the witty writing and comedic interactions during interrogations provide a light-hearted contrast to the game's serious themes. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the detective experience, making it enjoyable despite its flaws.

    • “It's so masterfully done, both gritty and hilarious, and really pulls you into the story and the setting.”
    • “The dialogue is hilarious, good story game.”
    • “The interrogation scenes are pure gold – trying to read people's faces is as addictive as it is hilarious.”
    • “The open world is not funny and the missions are quite repetitive.”
    • “Introduction to the story: [spoiler](I know everybody hates reading those, especially mine, because of my writing style consisting of repetitions, long sentences, and unfunny jokes based on 30-year-old memes that are only understandable by people from Baltimore and recorded on worn-out VHS tapes. It also explains either obvious things or makes outlandish claims, such as the one above about the aforementioned meme being understandable only to people from 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)”
  • replayability
    194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is generally considered low to moderate, primarily due to its linear narrative structure and the predictability of case outcomes after the first playthrough. While some players appreciate the opportunity to replay missions for better scores or to explore collectibles, many feel that the lack of significant branching paths and the repetitive nature of gameplay limit the overall replay value. Overall, it seems that while the game offers a rich initial experience, it does not encourage multiple playthroughs for most players.

    • “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.”
    • “The game has high replay value (getting better results/taking different pathways in cases) which is a benefit as well.”
    • “This game delivers an amazing experience with plenty of replay value.”
    • “It feels less like a living city and more like a beautiful set piece—and that’s fine, but it does limit replayability.”
    • “The replay value is limited due to the linear storyline.”
    • “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's the point in solving a case if you already know the culprit?).”
  • grinding
    151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the gameplay tedious and repetitive, particularly during investigation sequences and when replaying cases for achievements. While some appreciate the engaging story and character interactions, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the game's mechanics, such as the inability to skip cutscenes and the often unclear objectives that contribute to a sense of monotony. Fast travel options and certain gameplay aids help alleviate some tedium, but many still feel that the experience can become laborious over time.

    • “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 through the whole game.”
    • “Repeating cases when trying to 100% the game was somewhat annoying, since you can't skip a lot of the cinematics and dialogues, so playing through a case you just finished a day earlier can get very 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.”
    • “I can appreciate the design philosophy, but it really did become a chore to finish it in the end after losing patience several times with annoying characters and tedious mechanics getting in the way of good ol' crimebusting detective work.”
  • emotional
    124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its depth and impact, with many players reporting strong feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak throughout the narrative. The character of Cole Phelps, along with the game's intricate storytelling and immersive atmosphere, fosters a deep emotional connection, making players feel invested in the fates of the characters. However, some critiques highlight that while the game excels in emotional engagement, certain side characters lack development, which can diminish the overall emotional resonance.

    • “I'm emotionally drained.”
    • “The writing is sharp, the world is immersive, and the emotional connection with Phelps is undeniable.”
    • “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.”
    • “Most boring story and case structure I have ever witnessed in a detective game.”
    • “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.”
  • character development
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is widely praised, with players noting the depth and complexity of the main character, Cole Phelps, as he evolves from a teacher's pet to a morally conflicted detective. The supporting cast also contributes to a rich narrative tapestry, although some characters lack depth. Overall, the game's storytelling and character arcs are highlighted as standout features, making it a compelling experience for those who appreciate strong narratives in gaming.

    • “The character development truly astounds me; for how something so simple as a detective game could turn into a realistic story, so realistic that I thought I was watching a documentary.”
    • “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.”
    • “The character development is top-notch, with each member of the cast contributing to the rich tapestry of the game's world.”
    • “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
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the monetization aspect of the game is viewed positively, with users noting the absence of aggressive microtransactions or pressure to purchase in-game currency. However, there are concerns about the presence of ads, particularly on the title screen, which some players feel detracts from the experience. While some nostalgia for a time before microtransactions exists, the game's immersive design and attention to detail are generally appreciated.

    • “So, there are no egregious microtransactions or pressures to buy shark cards.”
    • “Overall an amazing experience, testament to the ultra high quality that characterized Rockstar games before they deteriorated into the world of wokeness, online game modes and microtransactions, as with so many other major game devs of our time.”
    • “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.”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 7 critic reviews
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27h Median play time
37h Average play time
22h Main story
42h Completionist
9-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 92 analyzed playthroughs
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L.A. Noire is a open world shooter game with mystery, thriller and historical themes.

L.A. Noire is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 22 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 42 hours to finish. On average players spend around 37 hours playing L.A. Noire.

L.A. Noire was released on November 8, 2011.

L.A. Noire was developed by Rockstar Leeds.

L.A. Noire has received positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

L.A. Noire is a single player game.

Similar games include Max Payne 3, Sherlock Holmes The Devil's Daughter, Mafia II, Sherlock Holmes Chapter One, Mafia and others.