Friday 20 May 2011

L.A. Noire: First Impressions

It's been a long wait for this game. It was first announced in 2005, but rest assured the wait has been worth it.

Don't be fooled into thinking that this a Grand Theft Auto knock off. Unlike GTA you are on the side of the L.A.P.D. starting off as a rookie traffic cop, and working your way up the police ranks.

One of the most innovative features of the gameplay is the way that you question witnesses and suspects when trying to solve crimes. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but once you get a feel for it, you really start to pick up on tell tale signs in the facial expressions of the people you talk to.

If your instincts are good then your successful questioning will unlock more leads to help you in your quest.

It's clear that a lot of work has gone into this game. Not just the impressive animation of the characters, but the attention to detail used in creating a believable world, excellent voice acting, music composed in the style of the period, the design, and the scale of the reproduction of 1940's Los Angeles.

If the early stages that I've played so far are anything to go by, this could be an early contender for game of the year. As the Xbox 360 version comes on three discs, I think I will be getting my money's worth in terms of value.

If you're looking for something different from your average sand box style game this is for you.

1 comment:

  1. LA Noire sounds like a much more immersive variation on Heavy Rain, which was my game of the year 2010!

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