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Developer Rockstar Games changed the landscape of video gaming with its 2001’s blockbuster, Grand Theft Auto III. Introducing a gaming experience set in an “open world,” where players are free to roam an interactive environment without being forced into linear gameplay, set a precedent that has been followed by hundreds of action-adventure game since.

For gamers, that revolution was a double-edged sword. Many open world games presented a lot of worthwhile alternatives, but there were also a lot of hollow copycats that replicated Rockstar’s free-roaming aesthetic without its stylish depth.

Then there was the question of how you could improve on something that was, in many people’s eyes, already perfect. Rockstar Games did it with their Grand Theft Auto sequels and their recent Western tour de force, Red Dead Redemption. Other developers came up with much praised titles, notably the surprisingly complex Bioshock series and the post-apocalyptic Fallout games.

With so much healthy competition, developers can’t simply rely on high production values to make their open world games stand out. Demanding as it seems, every release requires some sort of breakthrough — a new take on an already crowded landscape — to be successful.

In that regard, Rockstar’s newest game, LA Noire, is a smashing success.

It’s an adventure that pushes the boundaries of motion capture technology while offering up gameplay that make it completely different from its predecessors. LA Noire offers players an open world that is unlike anything that has been explored in video games before.

Mastering this game requires dedication and a whole lot of patience. While its methodical approach might feel awkward — and even a bit boring at first — the game gradually absorbs players into its exceedingly chic noir-universe.

Set in 1947, players take on the role of Cole Phelps, a WWII veteran who has just enlisted with the Los Angeles Police Department. While Phelps begins his career as a beat cop, working on small-time crimes, he eventually ends up investigating more demanding cases, such as murders and fatal hit and runs.

The game drops hints about at an underlying mystery regarding its protagonist, which gives Phelps’ character depth beyond being a stereotypical do-gooding crime fighter.

Narrative layers like that put La Noire on an equal footing with other superlative character-driven games (like Red Dead Redemption) and makes the story feel rich and compelling. Players feel like there is a lot at stake every time they go out to investigate a crime.

The character depth owes a lot to the game’s usage of motion capture technology. Sure, many games have used similar technology before, but the amount of detail in La Noire’s characters, especially their facial expressions, makes them a sight to behold.

Every major character in the game is portrayed by a seasoned actor who performed their dialogue in a specially built camera rig that captured every nuance and facial tic of their acting (Phelps is played by Aaron Stanton from the TV series “Mad Men”).

Each eye roll and lip bite looks crisp and drives the investigations into whole new directions. A major part of the gameplay involves Phelps interrogating suspects and witnesses. The amazing graphics allow the digital actors to subtly cue players into whether they are lying or telling the truth.

The gameplay of “LA Noire” can be repetitive, but the increasing difficulty and colorful variety of cases gives each one a uniqueness that is always intriguing.

Each case starts with a noir-style cinematic introduction to the crime before Phelps receives a briefing on the case. Along with a partner — who doesn’t really do anything but offer vague hints — Phelps then combs the crime scene and questions suspects and witnesses. A bloody knife might be hidden at the back of a bar where a murder took place, or a randomly placed household item might end up being the murder weapon.

It can be difficult to tell which items will prove significant and which will prove useless in the course of the investigation, but the game gives players the option of turning on hints, which will either vibrate the controller or sound a musical cue every time Phelps approaches an important piece of evidence. This makes the game much easier, so player who are looking for more of a challenge are advised to keep the hints option switched off.

The right evidence will also help Phelps prove when an interviewee is lying. When no evidence is available to counter a lie, Phelps can also express “doubt.” What is particularly intriguing about the interrogation process is that once Phelps makes a wrong assumption, it can’t be taken back. This means that every wrong move affects what happens next. Sometimes, interviewees will stop answering questions completely, forcing Phelps to continue his investigation elsewhere.

La Noire is a highly refined game that succeeds by moving away from the archetypal open world gaming style. As a result, not everyone will have the patience to get into it. But, like the noir books and films that this game pays tribute to, this is a thriller that greatly rewards patience and attention to detail.


‘LA Noire’
Available for the XBox 360 and Playstation 3
Rated M for ‘Mature’ by the ESRB