LA Noir (by Rockstar Games) wow...

[TCrouch]

There were a few situations where none of the evidence really refuted the suspect's statement, yet "Lie" was the "Correct" choice. If a witness lies to me once or twice, then gives a statement--I'm supposed to use this information as proof against the suspect? Even though it was coming from somebody who had a track record of lying already? Just a bit inconsistent to me.

Out of curiosity, did you collect all of the clues before the conversation? It could be that you didn't have the evidence because you missed something.

Yes, because the "evidence" I was supposed to counter with was the testimony of a witness--but like I was saying before, that witness had already lied to me before saying that, so I wasn't really believing it anyway. Although, I guess if I really think about the mechanics, if I used "truth" and it was correct, then that's pretty much all there was to it. Regardless of whether I think the person is a d***** or not, if I said truth and it's truth--then it's the truth no matter what. Maybe that answers the issue I had with it to begin with. I was thinking in too broad a scope for something very specific like a single fact/statement.

[RobVarak]

Despite the incredible glitz of the visual presentation, this game is an enormous throwback in a lot of ways. It's unabashed about showing the strings when it comes to gameplay, embracing itself as an exercise in play and puzzle-solving rather than trying to be immersive above all else in the way that most modern big budget games do. I imagine it must be particularly jarring to younger gamers, because they lack the touchstones of having played the procedural and puzzle games from generations ago that influenced this one.

There were some very bold and risky decisions made when designing this game that run contrary to the risk-aversion you would expect given the game's budget.

[vinny-b]

What frustrated me is not being able to go with a line of questioning that I would have liked. If I find a gun, why can't I go to a computer and trace the serial, question that owner, and THEN go talk to a potential suspect, for example?

Well, you're going to have a real hard time finding a computer in the 1940's.

[RobVarak]

Just saw this over at GWJ's. Didn't notice myself, but it's so cool:

Easter Egg! The apartment in the first Traffic case is above Geiger's Used and Rare Books, the shop run by blackmailer Arthur Gwynn Geiger in Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep. I have to expect there are many, many, many more little shout-outs sprinkled through the game.

[vinny-b]

Easter Egg! The apartment in the first Traffic case is above Geiger's Used and Rare Books, the shop run by blackmailer Arthur Gwynn Geiger in Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep. I have to expect there are many, many, many more little shout-outs sprinkled through the game.

funny, that particular movie is playing at this very moment on TCM.


additionally, the network is featuring LA Noire in their 'Now Playing' segment.

[Wilk5280]

Just got promoted to homicide and the game is really starting to grow on me. The game lead me to believe early on that it was going to be extremely linear and limiting, but with each new case it opens up more and more and the hand-holding becomes less and less. Awesome friggin' game.

[Teal]

Just moved up to Vice. Man, Homicide is a trip. Loved the complexity. You're right, Wilk, it gets more nuanced. Just wait...

[XXXIV]

Just got promoted to homicide and the game is really starting to grow on me. The game lead me to believe early on that it was going to be extremely linear and limiting, but with each new case it opens up more and more and the hand-holding becomes less and less. Awesome friggin' game.

Just moved up to Vice. Man, Homicide is a trip. Loved the complexity. You're right, Wilk, it gets more nuanced. Just wait...

Agree 100% with you guys. The gameplay sure does grow on you and the game gets more and more interesting as you advance.

You can half ass a case and get through it but it shows up in your score.
I butchered the first case with vice and went from 4 to 3 stars. I then aced the next case and went back up.

There are some, even if they are minor, consequences to messing up your questioning.... For example. It took me a few cases to figure out that you cant just accuse someone of lying unless you have proof.

Yes, it is a fantastic game. MUCH better than KQ V.

[RobVarak]

One tip I picked up somewhere is to view the "Truth" option as "sympathize."

[RobVarak]

This game has flaws, but I started playing about 10:15pm and I'm going to bed now at 2:30am. Been a long, long time since I've done that.

[XXXIV]

This game has flaws, but I started playing about 10:15pm and I'm going to bed now at 2:30am. Been a long, long time since I've done that.

I know what you mean. It has taken over almost all of my gaming and most of my free time. I have only played a combined 30 minutes of WoW in the last three days and I have missed the first periods of the last three hockey games.

[XXXIV]

Credits rolled.

Not giving anything away but there is an interesting twist to the game play for the last few cases.

I managed to reach level 16 in solving all 21 cases and finishing the story.....

In doing so it says I have completed 68.38% of the game. Found 11/30 landmarks, solved 11/40 street crimes, found 11/13 newspapers, found 1/50 film reels and attained 22/50 Live Achievements.

I enjoyed it. Now what? Whats planned as far as downloads? I suppose I can go back to the last save and complete more of the free roam stuff but I want more game game.

[Teal]

First arson case drops June 21st...

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/la-no ... s-june-21/

[RobVarak]

I just got kicked up to Vice, but I haven't found a single film reel. Where the hell are those things?

[Teal]

I just got kicked up to Vice, but I haven't found a single film reel. Where the hell are those things?

Hell if I know...

[XXXIV]

I just got kicked up to Vice, but I haven't found a single film reel. Where the hell are those things?

Hell if I know...

Finished the game and only ran into that one. Must have to find em in free roam?

I wont give away where that one is

[RobVarak]

I'm so simple. The gameplay could be awful, but if a game lets me drive a Duesenberg while listening to Harry Truman giving a State of the Union Address followed by Thelonious Monk there is no way to contain my bliss.

[vinny-b]

I'm so simple. The gameplay could be awful, but if a game lets me drive a Duesenberg while listening to Harry Truman giving a State of the Union Address followed by Thelonious Monk there is no way to contain my bliss.

lol.

and willing to bet Harry Truman talked of atomic warfare in his speech.

[Rodster]

Sounds good fellas, should have my copy Monday. Any lockups or overheating issues on the PS3? What's the install size 6GB?

[Rodster]

Really cool article on the technology behind L.A. Noire

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/gaming.gad ... tml?hpt=C2

The 'amazing' facial capture technology behind 'L.A. Noire'

Actor Aaron Staton, from TV's "Mad Men," sits before 32 cameras in a cutting-edge studio to record his lines for "L.A. Noire."

[RobVarak]

Credits rolled.

Not giving anything away but there is an interesting twist to the game play for the last few cases.

I managed to reach level 16 in solving all 21 cases and finishing the story.....

In doing so it says I have completed 68.38% of the game. Found 11/30 landmarks, solved 11/40 street crimes, found 11/13 newspapers, found 1/50 film reels and attained 22/50 Live Achievements.

I enjoyed it. Now what? Whats planned as far as downloads? I suppose I can go back to the last save and complete more of the free roam stuff but I want more game game.

Knocked it off last night. Really loved the game despite some glaring issues.

Finished with level 18. 74.85% complete. 16/30 landmarks, 24/40 street crimes, 12/13 newspapers (that really pisses me off lol) 29 vehicles unlocked and 0 film reels (!)

There are a lot of cool stats on the Rockstar social club website as well. Worth checking out for giggles.

I thought the story was really well done. There were clearly some compromises though, I think mostly to keep up the level of action and to avoid the criticism of over-relying on watching things happen. There were also a few odd turns in the story that didn't really fit the narrative, but that was actually true of several of the more popular films in the genre as well (I'm looking at you "The Big Sleep").

As I said about halfway through, I'm impressed at some of the risks the developers took. Their reach occasionally exceeded their grasp, but I'm happy to forgive that as long as the game's still fun and it's the result of ambition.

[LAking]

Can someone confirm if there is a free roam mode once you have completed the game? I'm skipping all the street crime dispatch calls but wondering if i should start responding to them.

[RobVarak]

Can someone confirm if there is a free roam mode once you have completed the game? I'm skipping all the street crime dispatch calls but wondering if i should start responding to them.

Can't confirm or deny because I haven't had a chance to put it back in yet. I can't imagine slogging through all 40 street crimes. There were some interesting set-pieces in the first few missions, but they became unbelievably thin and repetitive as the game moved along.

[XXXIV]

Can someone confirm if there is a free roam mode once you have completed the game? I'm skipping all the street crime dispatch calls but wondering if i should start responding to them.

Can't confirm or deny because I haven't had a chance to put it back in yet. I can't imagine slogging through all 40 street crimes. There were some interesting set-pieces in the first few missions, but they became unbelievably thin and repetitive as the game moved along.

In the menu...

Cases lets you do any of the cases from any of the desks...They also have a free roam option.

Resume puts you back to the last case.

Not in exactly the same sense GTA does but you do get to free roam.

[Teal]

Just finished it. Really enjoyed it, and it twisted pretty well there at the end. Just a hint, though...just like in many movies today, you need to sit through the credits. Not a huge thing, but it ties up a loose end pretty well.

Also, as I was free driving around, I passed by a movie theater that was advertising 'The Big Sleep' on the marquee...cool...