Latest L.A. Noire Reviews and Feature Stories from The New York Times, Time's Techland, Maxim and More...

Posted on May 20 2011, 6:00pm | Author: R* S | Filed Under: Games

With L.A. Noire's worldwide release upon us, check out some of the latest reviews to come in as well as some interesting articles about the making's of the game's 1940s Los Angeles:


"Rockstar has turned out its most pointed, and poignant, statement with L.A. Noire. The game tells a deeply moving and relevant story that speaks to the player because it feels so possible...  The Rockstar hallmark — gritty, believable, wry dialogue — is on full display." - The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/arts/video-games/la-noire-by-rockstar-games-review.html



"Here's what's most amazing about L.A. Noire: Rockstar Games and Team Bondi could have easily cranked out a GTA-style game set in this era and had a pretty strong title. However, they stepped outside that box and delivered a truly unique detective drama with detailed crime scenes and intense interrogations. That's enough evidence to label L.A. Noire as a potential game of the year." - USA Today: 4/4 Stars

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2011/05/review-la-noire-makes-its-case-for-game-of-the-year/1



"With computer games now out-selling DVDs it was only a matter of time before we had a game that could compete with Hollywood's storytelling - and L.A. Noire might just be it.... Without doubt one of the finest games you’ll play all year – and a benchmark for those to come." - Stuff: 5/5

http://www.stuff.tv/review/la-noire



"Rockstar and Team Bondi have created a game that nothing else even comes close to. We can't even draw comparison to anything else, because we can't think of anything remotely like it... Book your holiday now, and if you can't, get ready to call in sick. Make sure you break up with the missus/mister as well, 'cos you ain't going nowhere." - Maxim: 5/5

http://www.maxim.co.uk/entertainment/games/25519/la_noire_review.html



"with L.A. Noire, the partnership of innovative technology and assured craftsmanship demands your attention in ways other games don't. If you look away from Rockstar's latest, you could fail to notice something important–a clue to another evolutionary offshoot of what modern video games can be. You don't want to miss that; you'll need the evidence for later." - Techland: 9.1/10

http://techland.time.com/2011/05/17/arresting-development-l-a-noire-review/

 

Also, the guys at Popsci.com dug deep into the story surrounding the vintage aerial photography that was sourced to help create L.A. Noire's faithfully recreated mid-20th century Los Angeles:

"Rockstar's newest and perhaps most ambitious title, the marvel of technology and storytelling that is L.A. Noire, uses incredible face-mapping techniques to craft a startlingly subtle and realistic murder mystery game. But Rockstar's attention to detail didn't stop there: The team had decided to create an authentic depiction of the City of Angels in the 1940s, and needed as much data as they could find. Rockstar's ace in the hole? They relied on the services of a daredevil photographer named Robert Spence, known for documenting Los Angeles while hanging out of a plane's cockpit with his 46-pound camera."

The article includes insight from Simon Wood, one of the key members of the Team Bondi development team, responsible for the game's production design.
Read more here:
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-05/using-extreme-aerial-photography-1920s-rockstar-rebuilt-1940s-los-angeles-la-noire?cmpid=tw


Previously:
L.A. Noire First Reviews from GameSpot, The Guardian, Giant Bomb, 1Up & More 

  • R* Yon June 8 2011, 4:51pmReply
    @MIGHTYMUFFTER You absolutely will get Nicholson Electroplating and Reefer Madness for free with the Rockstar Pass, we'll have more download details closer to launch
    • MIGHTYMUFFTERon June 5 2011, 10:23amReply
      hi @ rockstar ive just purchased the rockstar pass and downloaded the content for free which is already out with it and i was wondering will i get the other 2 dlc cases for free when they come out in june and july if i have got the online pass?? because my friend has literally just started an argument with me over it and hes telling me that i wont get the other 2 cases for free with the online pass is this true?? can u please reply as soon as possible so that i can see if im right or not and i can shut my mate up over it. by the way u have made a great game im 5 % from 100% completion cant wait for future L.A. noire games and even a new GTA would be nice and i hope that sometime this year a new gta would be announced as it is 1 of the best games i have ever played in my life. keep up the good work rockstar.
      • Nscalemikeon May 29 2011, 8:40pmReply
        Wonderfully engaging game....Grew up in LA...especially in/around the downtown LA area in the early sixties...not much changed from the forties until the early seventies. So your developers really nailed it.....
        Only a couple of minor points....to bring up....in the police briefing rooms...on the chalkboards, the numbers were
        in European style (the #7's and the #4's were the most noticeable)...and the large dumpsters that appeared all around the city. LA, even through the early sixties...metal trash cans were everywhere, even for large businesses.
        Looking forward to expansion packs/more missions, and of course LA Noire 2, and 3..and ??
        • duke7984on May 29 2011, 5:16pmReply
          L.A. Noire sucks balls!!! not only does it get boring really fast there is just no comparison to GTA. why don't they just make another GTA. and what is with making games that take place in the 40's and 50's. lets get with current times. alls i know is that this game seems like a cry for attention and money. i bought the game a week ago and took it back to game stop for a return they only gave me 20 dollars now if that don't tell you something about the game and how bad it sucks!!!
          • Zodthe1ston May 29 2011, 12:40pmReply
            All I know is that this is the first video game in my 36 years of console play that I'm comparing notes with my Mom on. She's a mystery novel fan (Patterson, P.D. James, etc.), and I pitched this game to her (approx. the 17th attempt to get her to accept my entertainment of choice), and she became entranced with it. Yes, she mostly skips the action set-pieces, but she playing it!!!!!! Rockstar hooked my 65 year-old Mom!!!!! I knew if I was patient and just found the right game........
            • Blackwordson May 27 2011, 10:40amReply
              If I knew how to put my penis in a company, I would find a way to make sweet love to Rockstar Games. Thank you for giving your fans amazing experiences. I would feel like an idiot calling LA Noire or Red Dead Redemption "games".
              • R* Yon May 26 2011, 10:59amReply
                @MrMcNj69 Great to hear you're enjoying the game so much

                @powernerd Ha!

                @HighwayTroll Be sure to check out the Social Club features for information on finding 50 golden film reels, completing 40 street crimes, discovering 30 landmarks, locating 15 hidden vehicles (95 in total), as well as achievements/trophies and more:
                http://socialclub.rockstargames.com/games/lan/checklist.html
                • MrMcNj69on May 25 2011, 10:44pmReply
                  If you can forget GTA and what you know from the past games... then this is a amazing game. I have played games for many years and at first I wasn't sure, but in time I was sold. It is actually nice to separate from the norm. If you play this game straight up, without cheating on sites, it is a unique experience. The graphics are top notch and the storyline is excellent. I am used to spending $59.99 for the next "big thing" and then beating it within a half of a day. If you play this game legitimately, it can easily last several days. That is if you want to get the 5 star achievement.

                  I found it interesting to see the difference in the mission when you get every question and clue 100%. The map size alone blew me away. I do not know of another game with as large and detailed of a map. OK, so you cannot cause the normal mayhem of GTA, but in a way you can if you really want vehicle wise. It is also nice to not be chased by the police. It took some time for me to adjust, but after a bit, I would have to say this is one of the "BEST" games I have ever played, all around that is. I have been playing for about 15 years, and welcome this new change. Having 3 discs alone should tell you something. If you keep an open mind and give this game a real chance, you will be pleasantly surprised. My only issue, is that the 40 side missions were a little too easy, unless you turn off the auto aim. All in all, this is a true winner. I do not have PS3, but have always wanted to play Hard Rain, I would guess this would be the closest 360 concept to it. I only hope that future games will build off of this one!!! Great Job Rockstar!!! Thank you for making a gaming experience worth $59.99!!!
                  • HighwayTrollon May 25 2011, 8:22pmReply
                    Okay, I must say that this is the BEST game and storyline that I have ever played, I told my girlfriend I wasn't going to make it for our date so I could finish the last few missions. But, besides driving around and solving those side missions, what now? I paid 60 dollars for the game, and it was well worth it. But now, I find out that there will be no multiplayer? That put me down. I found out that during the so called "free roam", you could only do the missions, and can't even pull out your gun?! Thats not good. A huge piece of making a game is PLAYABILITY, and after you beat the missions all you can do is drive around. So, Rockstar, please tell me if you are going to add more components to the free roam aspect of the game...
                    • powernerdon May 25 2011, 4:32pmReply
                      The only major problem i have found with this game so far is that it is too addictive! :)
                      • VBProjecton May 25 2011, 8:14amReply
                        @playr4lyf
                        Don't do it. Wait for much much much much better PC version.
                        • R* Yon May 24 2011, 3:47pmReply
                          @11127801 Thanks, good to hear you're liking the game

                          @playr4lyf Enjoy the experience!
                          • 11127801on May 24 2011, 1:04pmReply
                            i have finished it about 79% and i started playing it again Rockstar keep doing ur thing wonderful game love it now jus cant wait foe next gta
                            • playr4lyfon May 24 2011, 11:12amReply
                              hey, im actually gana buy a new xbox just for L.A Noire! :)
                              • R* Yon May 24 2011, 10:53amReply
                                @OnePunchKill Nice - so what's your vehicle of choice?

                                @ILikeVideo-Games Ha, glad you're enjoying
                                • ILikeVideo-Gameson May 24 2011, 5:38amReply
                                  It's so easy to get immersed into the game, it almost impossible to pull yourself out. IT'S LIKE A DRUG!
                                  • VBProjecton May 24 2011, 1:31amReply
                                    @R* Y
                                    When GTA 4 came out the average console score was 10, PC score - 8.5. But PC version is 100 times better than console. Smth wrong here.
                                    • Emanuel_Bergeron May 23 2011, 12:35pmReply
                                      @playr4lyf
                                      bad luck - I hope your 360 works again soon

                                      • kamran_gameron May 23 2011, 12:28pmReply
                                        I am with Playr4Iyf. I want L.A.NOIRE on PC. This is the Greatest Game I've Ever Saw.

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