Inspired by film noir themes, the remastered LA Noire game captures 1940s Los Angeles to the T, but has nothing new to offer
La Noire is not a new game, in fact, it is more than six years old. Released in 2011, the game, set in Los Angeles of 1949, was different from anything Rockstar had done before - they used motion capture to infuse real emotional responses and gestures into the game. The new remastered version brings the game to the current generation of consoles, along with all the DLC content.
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We tested the game on a PS4 Pro, and, while the updated textures don't help the game look like the current generation of games, it does look good enough to play. The facial motion capture, though, has stood the test of time, and still looks good.
The game is all about the story. You start out by playing a beat cop, Cole Phelps, and you are promoted quickly through a series of lucky case breaks all the way to detective. The cases that you solve as a cop are meant to be a tutorial on what to look out for. The real fun starts once you become a detective and start investigating real cases.
The story, through its twists and turns, tries to emulate the aesthetics and themes of film noir. You can even play the game in black and white for a more authentic film experience. Being a Rockstar game with a massive map you would think driving amazing cars would be a big theme in the game, but it isn't. Sure, you can commandeer any vehicle in the game, but it is the 1940s, vehicles on the street only go so fast.
The new version of the game also doesn't include anything new, so if you have played the game before and completed all the DLC has to offer, there is nothing more to do for you here. You might have to wait for the special seven-case VR version coming for the HTC Vive. Detective Phelps might seem familiar to you, if you've watched Mad Men.
The actor Aaron Staton, who plays Ken Cosgrove in the series, also plays Phelps in the game. He isn't the only noteworthy actor in the game - you can also catch John Noble (Fringe, Sleepy Hollow, Elementary) and Andy Umberger (Mad Men, Aquarius).
The rest of the cast is also mostly actors and were obviously bought into act out the roles for motion capture. It adds a certain element of Hollywood to the game, which is in keeping with the noir theme.
Overall, it's a good game that has aged well. While it has no real new content, it can still be as entertaining today as it was six years ago. It may not be what you expect from Rockstar Games, but it is worth giving a shot, especially if you haven't played it before.
LA Noire
Rating: 4/5
Developer: Team Bondi
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Platform: PS4, XBOX
Price: Rs.2,499
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