Completely Engrossing Experience
I came into L.A. Noire not knowing quite what to expect. Based on reviews of the game, it seemed like an attempt at the best of what Rockstar offers in the story department with less of the annoying gameplay quirks. However, I heard a number of complaints about the evidence system and how things ended up feeling a little too "video gamey". After spending a number of hours with the game, I am pleased to say that this is easily one of the best times I've had experiencing a game story in years.
The highlight of this game by far is the combination of the unbelievably realistic character animation and the voice acting/character interactions. While I enjoyed may elements of the gameplay as well, the way the story unfolds much like a police drama on television is impressive. The game has an episodic quality that leaves you feeling satisfied at the end of a case while leaving you wanting to do just one more case. Another unexpected quality featured in the game is the way it never leaves you feeling like you made a terrible choice. Several other games with branching dialogue options result in having your character make dialogue choices with drastic impacts on the game that drive the player to hitting reset to start from a previous save spot. While the game does have clear "correct" dialogue opitons, it almost always allows you to move forward with the case and get the information you need in some way, perhaps a less linear path. I really feel like L.A. Noire does branching dialogue better than any game I've played and I hope it becomes the standard bearer for future games.
I also commend the pacing of the game as each case seemed just about the right length of time. The game progresses by sending you through different cases and ultimately different departments (Traffic, Homicide, Vice, Arson). Each of these departments feel like they could be a standalone storyline, yet they still feel connected and give you a sense of investment in the world and the character. While Cole is not the flashiest main character in a game, I found him to be relatable , which is such a rare quality. Each department storyline pairs Cole with a different partner, which range in personality from a gruff, alcoholic homicide cop to a crooked, slick-dressed Vice cop. Each of the partners really added to the experience and they make for some of the best buddy cop scenes in movie/tv/game history.
While the game started to drag for me towards the end (because I played over a very short period of time), the episodic nature makes it easy to put down and play later without feeling like you forgot what was going on. Given my work and family life, being able to put down a game and come back is a huge benefit for me. I would highly recommend any hardcore or casual gamer to give this game a shot. There really isn't anything quite like it on the market and I always found myself wanting more, which is as good a complement as I can pay to any game.
