Opening
The first thing you encounter in L.A. Noire prior to the campaign beginning is a set of classy title screens readying you for your adventure into the 40's ending in a black and white, damp alleyway with a mysterious figure walking from one side to another, hopping a small stream of water. You can only assume it's your one and only war hero and detective, Cole Phelps, out to change the world one crime at a time.
Introduction
When beginning the story, you are brought into the world of 1940's Los Angeles with a fitting monologue describing the kind of city L.A. is and the kind of people in it with a blues style saxophone playing in the background, and you can't help but get pulled further into the era. A slight loading screen later you start your first case with more monologue and a radio call requesting your presence at a crime scene, starting the gameplay.
Storyline
You play as Cole Phelps, a war hero given the silver star for bravery, now looking to end the more local wars of crime in your hometown of L.A. as a police officer. Right from the beginning you feel the sense of determination to end crime in the city that Phelps has. Using his intuition and ability to read people, Phelps quickly moves his way up in rank in the force, slowly uncovering something much bigger than drug crimes. Between solving cases, Phelps experiences flashbacks from the war that start off as confusing and irrelevant scenes slowly brings the story full circle, along with the dozen newspapers scattered about town, exposing the conspiracy that lies deep within the police force and government. Now knowing that there isn't a person on the force he can trust, Phelps' attempt to expose the players may cost him his job... or even, his life.
Characters
During the first half of the game, Cole Phelps is a mysterious character, and you can't help but like him. He IS fighting for the greater good of L.A. isn't he? Slowly, through discussions in the car with your partners you find out things about him, such as being a happily married man (if you didn't catch his first appearance in the beginning kissing his wife goodbye, or the ring on his finger) and a father of two little children. The second half of the game is when his flaws bloom full colors and you are torn between the line of still wanting to like him and hating his way of life.
Throughout the ranks Phelps encounters partners that are worth remembering and every one of them think they know the right way to go about police business. You'll also encounter a wide array of colorful and colorless characters when solving cases. From flighty witnesses to suspects that give you goosebumps and make the hair stand up on the back of your neck, there are plenty of personalities that will leave you thinking twice about who to trust long after the game is over.
Graphics
Even though they may not be the best in the industry, Rockstar has done a great job in making an enormous free roam look good using the Havok engine. Along with the new motion capture feature, MotionScan, facial features in-game and during cinematic scenes were brought to a new level. Although the frame rate may fair better on the PS3 than the 360, there is nothing that actually interferes with the gameplay.
Controls
The overall layout of the controls are fairly simple and straightforward. Using triggers to shoot and punch when gunfighting or brawls with suspects come into play. The triggers and bumpers are also used for your vehicle acceleration and deceleration. Analog sticks to navigate Cole and your vehicle. Then using the A, B, X, Y or X, O, , ∆ to navigate your decisions of truth, doubt, lie, and inspecting clues you find in crime scenes. The occasional issue may happen when trying to pick up a clue on a counter or the floor, having to readjust Cole in order to select the clue, but otherwise a well done set up.
Soundtrack
Rockstar has done well yet again with the soundtrack. With Ivan Pavlovich leading the way of the ear, L.A. Noire has a full-rounded sound of jazz and blues that will pull you emotionally throughout the game. With an ensemble of instruments that lead the jazz and blues sound of piano, trumpet, and saxophone to a small orchestra and other intstruments to give L.A. and it's players the vibe that they ARE sitting in the Blue Room Jazz Club.
Originality
Although L.A. is another free roam game made by Rockstar, it brings to the table more than what other games attempted to and failed miserably at. This game is not your GTA or even the Red Dead you may have enjoyed. L.A. Noire is the crime scene, detective game that will drive your blood pressure up because you want to correctly interrogate a suspect and put them away for life. I've never been so stressed out about making a decision between the truth and lying. Simply sitting there staring at your #1 criminal, knowing one simple mistake would allow them to roam the streets once again and cost you a promotion will make you sweat a little.
Closing Comments
Well done and thank you to Rockstar, Rage Software, and Team Bondi for making THE investigation game I've been waiting for since CSI first aired on t.v. You once again satisfied me with a game that cannot be remotely compared to your GTA games, and I applaud your success.
