# L.A. Noire - who's picking it up? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 11, 2011, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507 "2011-05-11T12:20:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/21 "2011-05-18T14:05:01Z")
I picked this up yesterday and got to play for 3 or 4 hours. Anybody worried about it being too much like RDR or GTA shouldn’t be. There is a giant city you can drive around but the similarities pretty much end there. It’s more like a 3D Police Quest or even Phoenix Wright (minus the goofiness) than GTA. There are shoot outs here and there but the game actually gives you the option to skip them if you want. By far most of your time is spent examining crime scenes and talking to people. The facial expressions vary between subtle but well done, baffling, and comically exaggerated shifty eyes. Even with the well done ones, it can be hard to figure out what the game wants you to do. If getting a good score is important to you this might be a big problem but so far I’m content to be a mediocre detective. My biggest complaint so far is the frame rate. I’m not the kind of person who notices frame rate usually but there are times in this game when it is _terrible_. It’s a shame because the city is so pretty and well put together but then your camera shakes as you move and it ruins the effect. Most of the time it’s fine but when it does happen it’s frustrating. This is on Xbox btw, I don’t know if it happens on PS3. I don’t think it’s for everybody, it’s slow paced most of the time and you want to be thorough in your search for clues if you want a good score. Overall though, I really like it. Despite the complaints I have, I still can’t wait to get out of work today so I can go home and solve a couple more cases. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/22 "2011-05-18T14:26:11Z")
I’m a little miffed at the lack of multiplayer. Hell, they tacked on a few modes in Grand Theft Auto 4 and in Red Dead Redemption. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/23 "2011-05-18T15:27:40Z")
I realize it’s not GTA, but can you free-roam around a large city? If so I’ll definitely get it. I’d love to see a PC version but not if they use Windows Live. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/24 "2011-05-18T15:38:19Z")
The city is huge, and as far as I’m aware you can drive around wherever you want. I spent quite a bit of time in the car and I never saw a roadblock or anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/25 "2011-05-18T16:31:41Z")
Rockstar said in an interview that a PC version is not off the table and it would be “interesting” to port it over. Personally, I’d rather see Read Dead on PC. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/26 "2011-05-18T17:31:12Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Rockstar said in an interview that a PC version is not off the table and it would be “interesting” to port it over. > > Personally, I’d rather see Read Dead on PC. Is that the one about John Marston’s wild west adventures as a librarian? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/27 "2011-05-18T17:56:18Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > There is one achievement unlock that’s called “The Straight Dope”. After years of hearing Dopers gasp at stuff they think movies or TV shows stole from this place, I think we’ve found one I might believe is the result of a Doper on the development team. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/28 "2011-05-18T18:24:42Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > After years of hearing Dopers gasp at stuff they think movies or TV shows stole from this place, I think we’ve found one I might believe is the result of a Doper on the development team. I dunno. It’s kind of a stock phrase from the kind of detective novels and films that have inspired LA Noire. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/29 "2011-05-18T19:11:49Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > I dunno. It’s kind of a stock phrase from the kind of detective novels and films that have inspired LA Noire. True, but the Achievement text is basically an extra-wordy version of “Cite?” Anyway, I said I might believe it. It’s more plausible than most of these claims, but you’re right, there’s probably a mundane explanation for it. ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/30 "2011-05-18T21:02:20Z")
Got mine today. Probably will try it out later tonight if I get a chance. Looking forward to it! For those still on the fence Amazon is now offering $20 store credit with the purchase of the game. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/31 "2011-05-19T01:06:58Z")
Watched a friend playing it for a few hours last night. Looks pretty fun and interesting. I was impressed by the facial recognition. FYI, this was on a PS3 and I noticed no frame rate issues. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/32 "2011-05-22T00:36:02Z")
I seem to control the car about as well as a drunk, blind man would. Do other cars get easier to control or will I be stuck in the slow lane? ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/33 "2011-05-22T04:38:21Z")
Unless I go slow I can’t keep it in the lane either. There are a couple sporty coupes that seem to handle better but even then I still have to accept the fact that I’m going to create some collateral damage. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/34 "2011-05-22T04:48:12Z")
I’ve gotten to the point where I just hold down Y (xbox) and get my partner to drive. I’m on disc 2 and finding this to be…well, boring-ish. It’s very on the rails for something that is a sandbox. Steps 1, 2, and 3 need to be done to progress. Here’s a side mission if you want it and maybe you can chase after someone and even shoot, but that’s about it. Also, my definition of “doubt” is different than the game’s. There are times when it just means that the person is holding back some info but that they’ve told the truth anyways. Kinda frustrating. I will say that I’m enjoying the graphics and picking out the actors. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/35 "2011-05-22T12:16:10Z")
You can get your partner to drive? I really need to RTFM. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/36 "2011-05-22T18:22:34Z")
I’m still on the fence with this one…am I under the impression that this is basically “CSI:1920 LA”? Also are there multiple cases to solve or just one big one? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2011, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/37 "2011-05-23T13:01:31Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I’m still on the fence with this one…am I under the impression that this is basically “CSI:1920 LA”? > > Also are there multiple cases to solve or just one big one? CSI: 1947 LA to be precise. Multiple cases, some of which may or may not be connected… Speaking of which, on homicide I was pretty narked when bodies kept piling up with the same M.O. Meaning I locked up a bunch of innocents (although one of them was a pedo and the other a commie tramp, so no big loss). What I want to know is; were my cock-ups forced by the story, or the story forced by my cock-ups? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/38 "2011-05-23T13:13:17Z")
I picked up the game on Saturday. So far, I’m liking it a great deal. It’s the perfect mix of action and strategy – and the perfect pace as well. I really liked _Heavy Rain_, and I’m finding this a lot like that, in that there’s more … “wait a minute, let me think” moments than there are, “must smash button” moments. I’m only through to the third case in Homicide and I’ve already fucked up one case, but it did take me a while to get a hang of the interrogation method. That said, it is pretty straightforward: You show up at a crime scene, you talk to a contact, search for clues and then interview a witness – those are the same steps every time. And the interviewing is constructed as: ask a question and observe the witness. If they say something that you have the clues to refute you accuse them of lying and show them the proof. Otherwise, it seems to me that the difference between “Truth” and “Doubt” are whether you want to go easy or rough on the witness, clues be damned. If the gameplay is too rigid or boring, or if the action scenes are too dopey, or whatever complaint anyone has about the game, I don’t see how anyone could deny the amazing job they did putting forth a 1947 LA to fuck around in. It is hay-uge, and so detailed, and nuanced with just the right style and design. With no load times between areas either. I have a feeling I may get bored with the story after a point, but I’m going to enjoy exploring the city for quite a while. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/39 "2011-05-23T13:15:28Z")
Oh, my biggest complaint with the game. Damn … I didn’t really need to see a naked butchered body with a big hole in its head in quite so much gruesome detail. I mean, I like realism in my video games, but I’m not all that into dry heaving when I’m trying to relax with the old Vidiot Box. ---
**Author:** ![Stormcrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/0ea827/32.png) [@Stormcrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stormcrow)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507/40 "2011-05-23T14:27:45Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Oh, my biggest complaint with the game. > > Damn … I didn’t really need to see a naked butchered body with a big hole in its head in quite so much gruesome detail. I mean, I like realism in my video games, but I’m not all that into dry heaving when I’m trying to relax with the old Vidiot Box. Just wait till you get to investigate some Arsons. One of those made me jump out of my chair. Re: Free Roam - at the start menu, you have the option of resuming your game, or you can select “cases” if you do so you’ll be able to go to any of the desks you worked and replay any case, or do free roam - in any one of the departments you served in. So you can free roam with any f your partners. I like to ride around in the vice partners car and run it into things on purpose. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-a-noire-whos-picking-it-up/581507.md?page=3)