Rockstar Games take a break from their usual hell raising, car stealing, gang warfare series, Grand Theft Auto, to give us a look at the other side of the coin. Developed by Team Bondi, alongside Rockstar Games, comes L.A. Noire; for Xbox360 and PS3.
The game is set in Hollywood’s Golden Age of 1947 in Los Angeles. You take on the role of LAPD officer Cole Phelps as he starts his long journey up the ranks. He must work his way up from regular beat patrol, through Vice all the way to arson, all in an attempt to rid LA of this horrid crime wave. What Phelps doesn’t realise is that he will uncover a secret that will change LA forever.
There are many common mission types in the game. Firstly, there are one on one shoot-outs with a criminal that has taken a hostage at gunpoint. You must bide your time until they pop their heads out then fire off a round to finish the mission. Secondly, there are chases, which usually precede the hostage at gunpoint or a one on one punch up. In these sections you must simple chase your target until either they run into a dead-end or you are close enough to tackle them to the ground. Lastly, and the most common mission type, which plays a big part through-out the whole game are interrogations.
After having searched crime scenes for evidence and visiting people to get information on possible suspects, you can finally bring them in for interrogation. You are presented with your notebook which will list a series of questions you can ask the suspect. From their response and their facial actions you must choose from three options: truth, doubt or lie. If you get the question correct then more possible questions will appear and it will bring you closer to pinning the crime on them.
As the game’s main focal point is dishonesty, Team Bondi’s new facial recognition technology plays a big part in making the game work. Using 32 different reference points on the actors’ faces they are able to accurately map out their facial expressions. This brings a whole new level of realism into the game, alongside the marvelous job they did of depicting LA’s scenery in 1947. To accompany the scenery, and to really help you get the feel of being in 1947, there is a lot of Jazz swing music in the more lighthearted and quieter moments.
Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game
