It’s time for another Retro Ad Replay article! This is the series where we head backward in time to reminisce and celebrate the anniversary of some of the most significant moments in gaming. If you find yourself wanting more content like this, be sure to visit Mandatory.com.
In this May 17 edition of Retro Ad Replay, we’re heading back 10 years to when L.A. Noire first launched on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3. That’s May 17, 2011. Developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games, L.A. Noire took the GTA formula and flipped it on its head, putting players in the shoes of the police instead. A highlight of this detective game was the “MotionSense” capture technology that realistically portrayed character’s faces.
GameRevolution awarded L.A. Noire an 8/10 in our review, celebrating the “MotionScan,” “Questioning is hit-or-miss in a realistic way,” “Investigative portions are incredibly immersive,” and “great, complex story.”
Here’s a snippet from the GR review:
As odd of a comparison as it sounds, the core gameplay in L.A. NOIRE feels closer to PHOENIX WRIGHT than gritty, realistic contemporary mysteries like HEAVY RAIN. Most of the 21 storyline cases have two distinct phases that you’ll bounce between: investigation and questioning. Investigation involves walking around a crime scene and picking up clues whenever you feel a rumble and hear a chime. While that method of playing hide-and-seek with the evidence does hurt the immersion a bit, it’s better than the option to turn off the cues and go blindly, as a lot of potential evidence is tiny and almost impossible to see amidst the clutter on the ground.
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L.A. NOIRE is a lot like HEAVY RAIN, and not just because they’re both mystery games. They each take bold steps in untested waters for gaming, they each establish an amazing level of immersion (at times), and they each make odd choices that can frustrate you as well as awe you. While I do have complaints, this is still a game that needs to be experienced because the positives are just that strong. Like Phelps, you won’t be able to leave this story alone until you see it through to the end.
Check out the L.A. Noire launch trailer below:
