L.A Bore – L.A Noire Review

Contrary to the title of the post, this isn’t a slating of L.A Noire…but it’s not what the hype would have you believe.

When I first started playing the game, I was astounded and would’ve gladly given it 10/10.  But after a while the repetition gets to me.  If it weren’t for the hype, my opinion probably would be different.  For example, Bulletstorm – a game with no hype at all, hit the shelves and it was deserving of hype.  LOTS of it, but in a way, it was a smart release – hype can get too much and have you think you’re getting into a world with much more on offer than there truly is.  Welcome to L.A.

During the typical Rockstar induction sequences, you begin as a beat cop.  Not for long, though.  After a brief stint on the beat, you’re projected to Traffic – from here on in this is where you need to make sure you find the clues available and question witnesses, suspects etc thoroughly using the Truth/Doubt/Lie system.  Mo-cap is spot on, with lip syncing a true marvel.  During interrogations, you need to watch the interviewee for tells such as shifty eyes, lip biting etc when they answer to determine which you of the 3 aforementioned options you should choose.

Unlike GTA, it’s not true free-roam – although if you choose the various case files you can either re-do a particular case or choose free roam to find the various collectibles such as the gold film reels, hidden cars, driving all 95 cars and newspapers.  Plus you can go back and 5-star the cases if you didn’t on your playthrough.

Plot-wise, it’s quite reminiscent of L.A Confidential as well as various other private eye/old school cop movies.  Although, without introducing a spoiler, there’s a part of the story where it takes an unexpected turn.  And by unexpected, I mean you have no fucking clue how the turn of events came to be!

Graphically the game is awesome, car handling is much more pick up and playish over the realistic handling of GTA IV.  Voice acting is spot on with some recognisable faces and it adds to the richness of the world.

Short of the boring aspects of the game, it is definitely worth a go…but I’m in a position where I’ve completed the game but can’t be assed to sweep up the remaining trophies and probably won’t for a while if ever.  Similar to GTA IV with the pigeons etc.

So, in summary, with all criticism aside, I give this 7/10.