L.A Noire is a computer game developed by the Australian studio Team Bondi under the auspices of Rockstar Games. It was released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on May 17, 2011, and on PC on November 8. It is a representative of the action-adventure genre. The executive producer of the game was Sam Houser, the founder of Rockstar Games.
The game takes place in Los Angeles (L.A Noire – Los Angeles Noir) several years after the end of World War II. The main character of L.A Noire is detective Cole Phelps, investigating a series of various crimes in the city. To do this, he needs to examine crime scenes, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and conduct interrogations. Depending on whether the player meticulously searches for clues or investigates the case halfheartedly, the extent to which the crime is solved and whether any "white spots" remain depends.
Naturally, one investigation may seem quite boring to many, so the detective work is spiced up with intense shootouts with gangsters, chases, and hand-to-hand combat. If the storyline missions become somewhat tedious, players can engage in side quests that Phelps often receives via radio (the so-called Street Crimes). Players can reach their desired locations either by car or on foot.
As the career progresses, new and more powerful types of vehicles will be introduced. There are also several types of suits that, like in Red Dead Redemption, have their unique features. Phelps cannot create mayhem and harm citizens, unlike in the GTA series. So, fans of reckless shooting and total destruction have significantly limited possibilities here. Cole Phelps is primarily a detective, and that's where the focus should be. Weapons can only be used when absolutely necessary.
The developers of the game did not set out to create a fully open world. Their main goal was to create a well-developed and quality storyline, even though there are many places to go and things to do in the city. No one forces players to constantly engage in storyline missions; they can divert their attention and pursue non-story criminals. There is often information about bank robberies, shootouts, or some unclear situation in the city that needs to be addressed.
Overall, the game resembles a good film in the "noir" style. Perfectly crafted dialogues, logical character behavior, stunning facial animation, and a sense of disappointment and pessimism accompany the entire game.