L.A. Noire

Fantastic, gritty RPG. Very atmospheric, felt like I was actually a cop investigating crimes back in 1947. Loved the darker narrative tone and the ending was fitting for the characters.

L.A Noire suffers from a lot of little cuts that bring the experience down, but it provides an immersive 1940s noir story. The story and city keep it positive, but it is one of the weaker rockstar games due to the lack of use for the sprawling city.

Pros:
Immersive
Fun dialogue
Detailed City

Cons:
City lacks things to do
Very linear in each case
Combat is simple and usually only involves one weapon
Not a ton of variety of gameplay

The game is a classic that I've played several times over the years. I love everything - the gameplay, the story, the characters, and the sound track. It's truly one of my favorites.

Game tries to install Rockstar Games Launcher before playing, and it is required. This is not mentioned on the steam page.

A masterpiece of a game through-and-through that does and will continue to stand the test of time. An intricate and emotional story woven together beautifully in which the writers are always two steps ahead of you, making seeing it through to the end a must. Chock full of memorable characters and sequences. And it runs great on the Steam Deck! Play this game.

Unplayable on modern Pc's. Tried every fix I could find. Run as admin, Run DXSETUP.exe in Rock Star documents, Change ini file resoulation and direct x version from 9 to 11. None if this worked and I have now given up.

A fantastic crime thriller detective game that deserves a sequel or a remake from Rockstar Games.

This game REQUIRES a Rockstar account AND an internet connection to be played.

Game refunded.

Single player games should be able to be played without being online and also without having your data being harvested.

Rockstar has become EA

this game does not support being played on multi-monitor setups. that's right, if you have multiple monitors on the PC that you want to play this game with, it may not work correctly. there is a documented work-around, but it is a work-around and not a fix. Rockstar also makes you sign up and make an account with them, which was an incredibly cumbersome experience for me where i had to reset may password and verify logins repeatedly.

i would not recommend getting this game on PC unless you REALLY like this game or someone is paying you to "purchase" the game.

Quite a unique game for Rockstar Games. This game provides some interesting crime solving, unique map, cool time period, and a fantastic note in the social and political landscape of late 40s post war LA. If only Rockstar could remaster or release a sequel, this game is really cool. My only mild complaint would be not having a lot of the missions set at night, as is the theme of noir.

A fantastic crime thriller detective game that deserves a sequel or a remake from Rockstar Games. In this open-world experience, you step into the shoes of Cole Phelps, unraveling a series of intricate cases—homicides, fraud, arson, and more. As you delve deeper into the narrative, you'll uncover the complexities of Phelps' background while striving to become the city’s top detective. The game features a rich environment where you can drive a variety of vehicles, respond to random dispatches, and hunt for collectibles scattered throughout the city. While it runs at 30 frames per second and has some issues with AI behavior, it's undeniably one of the standout crime detective games out there.

Some of the acting is cringy and the face capture can be a little "uncanny valley" but the game is interesting and the cases and solving them is fun. Wish they'd make a sequel to this game or something similar.

Didn't get it. It's inconsistent. Not much fun. The action is boring.

BOY THAT SHIT GOT DARK. The plot of this game is devastating by the end, because the evil being committed is so real and so... difficult to grapple with. The culmination of the horrors of war, the life-ruining effects of drug abuse, the wide-ranging evil of corruption in the police and government, bigotry in all its little forms, and the ease of simply choosing to fuck over someone else for your own betterment; all conspiring together to FUCK US ALL OVER. You think you're gonna solve crimes. You do! You think you're gonna catch a serial killer. You don't. His brother is a senator. Looks like all those other guys you put in prison are gonna stay there to keep that quiet. You did good work, here's a public shaming and demotion for your trouble. Thanks for surviving Vietnam, dickhead. The treatment of veterans is a very central theme in this game, and one that really affected me.

With all that out of the way, THE TECH. It looks so unique. It's such a shame the face tech in this game is an utter one-off. It really added something! The questioning process was a bit inconsistent at times. Knowing whether the game logic wants to accept a particular piece of proof at what time, and trying to sus out info from people's faces is difficult. But ultimately it makes for a really unique and smooth gameplay experience. Also, I enjoyed all the weird, secret, very of-the-time cars. THREE WHEELED MINIVAN FOREVER.

L.A. Noire's facial capture is incredible because it both looks cutting edge and utterly ancient at the same time. The facial models themselves are extremely dated, in fact if you asked me I'd have said the game was released around 2006 - 2008, when actually it was released in 2011. At the same time, the actual facial animations and levels of emotion and subtlety that Team Bondi were able to capture from their actors is not rivalled by anything I have ever seen as of October 2024.

I don't have a huge amount to say about the game other than that it started to drag in the middle, but the final chapter on the Arson desk really picked back up for me and I enjoyed it a great deal.

Overall, hard not to recommend this. It's a historical cornerstone and I'm thoroughly disappointed that nothing like this would ever really be made in the modern day, as with modern tech I think something this unusual and creative would be astonishingly good fun to play.

💬 Review:
🌟 10/10 🌟

L.A. Noire is hands down the best game I’ve ever played. I first played it back in 2012, and from the moment I started, I was hooked. The atmosphere, the story, the detective work—everything just clicked. It's the perfect mix of gritty noir storytelling, open-world exploration, and tense interrogations.

The facial animations? Revolutionary. You actually feel like you're reading people’s emotions and making real detective decisions. The attention to detail is insane—every corner of 1940s L.A. feels alive. The music, the cars, the cases, the vibe. Nothing else like it.

I’ve played a ton of games over the years, but L.A. Noire still stands as my favorite of all time. Nothing comes close to the experience of piecing together clues, solving crimes, and delivering justice in this beautifully crafted world.

If you haven’t played it yet, you’re missing out on a true masterpiece. No other game has made me feel like a detective quite like this.

🔎 Do yourself a favor and dive into the noir world.

Good game-play, scenery, story, cars and costuming.

I don't like the ending, but this is the best game ever. I enjoy investigating people's expressions and evidence to determine if they are lying. I also like driving through the streets while enjoying the views of the city.

Great, realistic game with a fantastic storyline. You don´t find many games of that kind anymore, but L.A. Noire was done perfectly!

interrogation system is terrible and unfortunately is a principal part of the game

a detective game with terrible janky gameplay and horrendously designed gameplay loop requires an absolute banger of a plot to motivate anyone with a breathing capacity to endure the jank.
unfortunately there is nothing here to offset that. the plot is incoherrent and never gripped me during the time I wasted with this wannabe detective game.

btw can I ask anyone with half of a working brain, why everything is highlighted and handed down to you as if the player was an incapable drooling moron?
or why they had to dumb down the gameplay this much? you are not required to press a button or key to jump. you just press forward and the game does everything for you.

but besides the jank, the facial animations are impressive for the time. however this supposed to be a game which indicates that it's a media you can interact with. if I wanted a great plot I would read one of the many books in my library that blow this joke out of the water. if I wanted pretty images moving at slow speeds, I would watch one of the many glorified movies that are available, like dune for example.
it's another 7th gen slop that people erroneously label as a good game, that manages to have even less to offer compared to it's contemporary cinematic slops. and I'm not interested in that.

avoid it at all cost if you care about your time and quality in the media you consume. buy it if you are uncontrollably drooling and think 7th gen games were the peak of gaming.

Great game, feels exactly like the 50s.

If you rush through it, it might not be super fun, but I'd suggest really focusing and trying to figure every individual case out properly. It's a one of a kind game, definitely reccomend. Worth the spend.

rockstar's most underrated game hands down. everything about this is just beautiful, especially the music. 10/10 game.

I have been playing this game since I was a kid. Very immersive graphics and physics. It really makes you feel like you are in the 1940's. I would highly recommend this game to anyone, along with any other Rockstar Game, as I am a longtime happy customer.

Good game. love the late 1940s vibes, and the story so far is great. I remember renting this a long time back and had to rush through the story to get to the end before returning it. It's nice to be able to experience this gem in full a decade later.

The story is great and if you like detective games you'll love L.A Noir, the only criticism that I have of this game is that the world just doesn't feel alive. The only reason to explore is to see a few landmarks, enjoy the beautiful recreation of L.A, do a few side cases, and find some hidden cars. I wish they had a few more reasons to explore or some more side activities but that is a very minor criticism. The main show here is the story and atmosphere of the game.

Overall I recommend L.A Noir as it's a fun experience to play through and it has one of the greatest lines in any video game "you like to **** young boys Valdez?"

One of the best games I have ever played. You play as a detective trying to solve cases. You are not going to skip any episodes, since every evidences are important and helps you to solve the cases correctly.

It is a great game with amazing story but considering the massive resolution problems and rendering issue along with the reduced FPS makes this game an unusable piece of crap (can´t play the game). Also Rockstar Game Launcher being needed even tho it is the most unnerving thing that popped out of their minds is also a thing I dont want to waste my time on. It is not the first time that it came to happen with Rockstar games, considering that they didnt optimise GTA IV for newer systems (Windows 10), which when I changed to Ultra graphical settings caused me a blue screen of death and brought me on brink on losing all of my personal files on the PC.
Thanks Rockstar!

It's definatly a good game. There's a few issues here and there, and although the story has an ending I couldn't help but feel like the game could have been at least twice as long. Worth playing though. Lots of fun times driving all sorts of cars around 1940's LA.

L.A. Noire wasn't just another Rockstar game; it was a groundbreaking experiment that pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling. Released in 2011, it transported players to the seedy underbelly of 1947 Los Angeles, immersing them in a world of crime, corruption, and Hollywood glamour. Here's why it was revolutionary and continues to be considered one of Rockstar's finest achievements:

A Technological Leap:

MotionScan: At the heart of L.A. Noire's innovation was MotionScan, a revolutionary facial capture technology that recorded actors' performances with unprecedented fidelity. Every subtle nuance, every flicker of emotion was translated into the game, creating a level of realism never before seen in video games.
A New Kind of Acting: This technology demanded a different approach to performance. Actors weren't just providing voices; they were delivering full-body performances, captured in meticulous detail. This blurred the lines between video game and film, elevating interactive storytelling to new heights.
A Detective Story Redefined:

Interrogation and Investigation: L.A. Noire placed a heavy emphasis on detective work. Players had to carefully examine crime scenes, gather evidence, and interrogate suspects, relying on their ability to read facial expressions and body language to determine truth from lies.
Moral Ambiguity: The game explored the dark side of the American Dream, delving into themes of corruption, racism, and post-war trauma. The protagonist, Cole Phelps, was a complex and flawed character, grappling with his own demons as he navigated the criminal underworld.
A Living World: 1940s Los Angeles was meticulously recreated, with stunning attention to detail. From the period-accurate cars to the iconic landmarks, the city felt alive and authentic.
Impact and Legacy:

Critical Acclaim: L.A. Noire was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its innovative technology, compelling narrative, and atmospheric setting. It was a commercial success, selling millions of copies worldwide.
A Genre-Bender: The game defied easy categorization. It blended elements of adventure, action, and detective genres, creating a unique and unforgettable experience.
Influence on Future Games: L.A. Noire's groundbreaking facial capture technology paved the way for more nuanced and realistic character performances in video games. Its focus on investigation and interrogation also influenced the design of subsequent detective games.
Why it Remains a Rockstar Classic:

A Unique Experience: Even today, L.A. Noire stands out as a singular achievement. Its blend of film noir atmosphere, innovative technology, and engaging detective work creates an experience unlike any other.
Replayability: With multiple cases to solve and different paths to take, the game offers considerable replay value.
A Time Capsule: L.A. Noire is a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era, capturing the glamour and grit of post-war Los Angeles.
Minor Drawbacks:

Pacing Issues: Some players found the pacing uneven, with long stretches of investigation punctuated by brief action sequences.
Limited Player Agency: While the interrogation system was innovative, some felt it lacked depth and player agency.
Overall:

L.A. Noire was a bold and ambitious game that pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling. Its revolutionary facial capture technology, compelling narrative, and atmospheric setting combined to create a truly unforgettable experience. It remains a testament to Rockstar's creativity and willingness to take risks, and its influence can still be felt in games today.

Perfect game, deserves a remaster. One of the best detective games ever. Still after many years I am sad we did not get a sequel.

Very poorly optimised. Was looking forward to play this game as I like detective games. But it is so poorly optimised for PC that I was forced to uninstall it after an hour of excruciatingly laggy gameplay. As a game, its awesome but the optimisation really forced my dislike.

It's strange how even the footpaths are bumpy to drive over, do they also have potholes?

Good game! Perfect for people who like to solve cases like a detective but in 1940s style.

The game is sometimes good and annoying at the same time. Hard to explain. But worth giving a try.

Great, realistic game with a fantastic storyline. You don´t find many games of that kind anymore, but L.A. Noire was done perfectly!

The interrogation system definitely feels unintuitive at first with what it actually means, so here's a few tips to fully enjoy the game's interrogations :
-Missing one lead isn't always a death sentence, a lot of cases can still be won if you only get a portion of questions right, so don't stress too much!
-Be mindful of how the person is looking at you and acting *prior* to you asking any questions, and then observe how they're talking and acting during and after their answer.
-You can back out of a question if you don't commit to a Truth, Doubt or Lie choice, and just ask again later. It's awkward but if you're sure that you need to look at something else before doing this question, it's always possible
-Truth and Doubt aren't always to necessarily consider something as either the whole truth of a lie, but see it more as a "good cop press for more info / bad cop press for more info", where the latter allows you to *pressure* for more information or to try and pressure for the truth, and Truth is more like politely asking for more and accepting there are no major gaps or things left out.

Have fun, because this game and its story are amazing.

Graphics OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I love calling my partner to the car, then driving off without him. I also love driving in general, just like real life! Mill down any pedestrians in my way, and ignore every traffic law, and still get an A on the case. Good work Phelps!

A great game I finally had the chance of playing, with an interesting story and unique setting. With the limited mechanics, the game could have been 5 hours shorter to stay more engaged with it, but I will still gladly recommend the game

this game is my favorite rockstar game. very different from other rockstar games but with the similar familiar mechanics. a perfect game for anyone who loves true crime and watching videos about stuff like that. being able to be the detective to solve crimes and piece clues together makes progressing throughout the story very fullfiling with plenty of achievements along the way to continue to feel that sense of fullfilment. the story to this game is also phenomenal. 10/10 from me. don't like not having a jump button but the game is very old now no reason to complain over spilled milk.

what is it with game companies and sh!tty launchers? why do i have to wait half an hour for my game to launch???

They force everyone to use their third party app to run the game off Steam, so if you have ANY issues with your account like I did (lost access to old email) then you are just SOL for a game YOU BOUGHT.

I can't recommend Rockstar Games in-general, until they get serious about that, I bought a game to run on Steam, not through your nonsense servers.

I gave them everything they asked for and showed proof that I owned the games, just for them to close the ticket and say there was nothing they could do.

I had a similar problem with Wizards of the Coast, didn't stop them from helping me with a lost account issue when I had all the proof to show I was on the level.

great detective work. finding the clues is quite fun. sometimes the "clue-finding music" doesn't turn off after you find them all. Also if you are trying to 100% as I am, this will be very painful as every mission is "rated" whether you pass them or not. other than that, fantastic game, would recommend you get the remastered version though, there is more content.

Loved the gameplay and the story, but honestly the ending didnt live up to make it worthwhile. It just felt like it wanted to be over and done with.

Very good so far! It definitely needs a remaster, or would benefit from one, because the game relies on you reading character expressions, and because the tech is a little outdated by this point, that can be difficult to do. I also don't know why, but on PC, it's a pain to make it full screen. It's possible, you just need to mess around with keyboard shortcuts. Each mystery is really well paced and keeps you invested, keen to see what the longer running mystery is!

"Good detectives game, terrible port and 2K launcher"

Capped at 30fps, lots of popping. Sometimes audio is not synchronized with the actions that produce those audios. 2k launcher.

Some conversations/dialogues make no sense in regards with the options that triggered it (via your case notebook, or via "doubt" or "lie" options).

Story is good, characters are interesting, and facial animations are super fluid and top notch.

Some dialogues between the characters (when they are inside the car) get cut by sudden radio calls about emergencies and so one. This is annoying as F* because you miss on what the characters were talking about. Is a poorly designed feature.

The ambient is very well made, it really feels like the 40s/50s. Sadly, this immersion is usually broken by chunks of the map popping into place (which occurs every few seconds while driving the car).

I have fallen through the map multiple times, and my character has gotten stuck into things more than once too. The game seems to have a problem with collisions not loading properly.

Overall a good game, but I can't recommend a game with the technical problems this one has.

Excellent writing and well developed complex interesting protagonist and side characters. Great story and character arcs. Fantastic atmosphere, superb music. Incredible acting and face tech that is yet to be surpassed by other uncanny valley face having games. Authentic depiction of the era and well researched immersive environments. Gets pretty real and raw and doesn't shy away from showing the darker sides of humanity and Hollywood and offers great insights in to the factors that decided the shape of American culture and the corruption within its roots and institutions and authority figures.
The open world and street crimes which are kind of like side quests are not incorporated too well but it doesn't detract from the experience for me at all. It's not perfect but it's memorable and sticks with you and is a great time. Can't recommend it enough. With the price it is now it is well worth it. It's one of those games that feels alive. Like the more you look and replay the more you understand about the plot and characters and the world. I don't know if it's an IP issue or what but it's too good and loved by critics and players to be ignored by Rockstar like this.

A nice and thrilling game which needs real patience to play.If you are a puzzle solver who like to play interesting puzzles,Then this game is a piece of cake for you guys.I love this game.

Played it once many years ago as a Teen and replayed it now as an Adult in 2024 on my Steamdeck (Runs flawlesly on high settings on the SteamDeck).

A case within a case?

I couldn´t appreciate the intricate story and interlinked cases years ago, but now I do. This is a mastercrafted story, featuring twists and turns. Dirty cops, strange cases, false leads, lying witnesses, and more!
Truly a wonderful game. If you ignore the empty city and only focus on the cases, I promise you will enjoy a high quality detective adventure like none other, including the face-capture technology for the faces of the characters (which adds realism to expressions).

Shame they have never followed up with a Part 2. The concept is rock solid and underexplored in the gaming community.

the game is incredible. my issues are with a couple of things...

half the time i tried to start the game up there is one problem or another. unexpected crash. been logged out of rockstar and when trying to log back in it's a spinning loading wheel forever, or at least until i close it to try again. sometimes it just doesn't register that i have double clicked on the icon.

second issue is that the game opens up in a small window. fine, i press alt + enter and it's fixed. but then i have to change display settings, and they never save and stay the same the next time i boot the game up.

it's infuriating

Great "Rockstar game" with a surprisingly big element of adventure. It was really engaging getting to explore the crime scenes and different places looking for clues. The facial expressions of the characters are uniquely detailed and is a technology greatly exploited as a main gameplay mechanic. I wasn't all that good in reading or confronting suspects, but since the game is completely forgiving, I didn't feel too much frustration and could enjoy and complete the game.