L.A. Noire Images Bring Golden Age of Hollywood to Life

[Greg Tito]

L.A. Noire Images Bring Golden Age of Hollywood to Life

The images of 1947 Los Angeles in Rockstar's L.A. Noire show a haunting world of cops and corruption.

If you ever watched the 1997 Oscar-winning film L.A. Confidential and said, "Man, I want to play a game set in that world," then you will soon get your wish. Seriously, these pictures look straight out of Chinatown [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071315/], except without all the incest. The shots also show off a L.A. Noire's "MotionScan" technology which allows for an almost photo-realistic animation of an actor's face. That's why the faces looked so expressive in the trailer released this week, MotionScan picks up the entire face instead of the scattering of data points that traditional motion capture uses.

[gallery=57]

The details about L.A. Noire's story are taken right from history. Set in 1947, when so many GIs were returning from World War II and Hollywood was really taking off, Los Angeles is rife with corruption and murder. You play as Cole Phelps, a decorated veteran and new detective, and the story is told through a series of connected yet independent criminal cases that Phelps must investigate. The cool part is that the crimes that you investigate are inspired by real cases in L.A. of the period. Combat and action are a part of the game, sure, but it seems that the story unfolds through a more CSI-like discovery of clues and interrogation.

So far, everything I've heard about L.A. Noire has been really exciting. It had better live up to its promise, or I'm going to pay someone to knock it off. And then frame the mayor. Or maybe the film executive.

Check out L.A. Noire's newly released trailer here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/trailers/2444-L-A-Noire].

Permalink

 

[scarab7]

Still want to know the game play mechanic details, most crime games that don't opt for gun fights don't turn out too well. Still hope it's good though, Rockstar always delivers a product with good showmen ship if nothing else.

 

[shogunblade]

As I looked at the movie, I almost had a fall-out with it, just because of how I didn't think about the facial expressions, and then I got excited when I thought about it. The Graphics don't look that "Great", but the facial expressions are amazing, although something tells me I am going to be quite excited about this game when it comes out.

A New game system can't come soon enough.

 

[ZeroMachine]

What is it with Rockstar making me interested in things I've never had an interest in?

I've never liked Westerns. Red Dead Redemption is one of my favorite games of all time.

I've never liked Noires. LA Noire is looking to be another favorite, simply from acting and emotion alone.

Good god, I'm so glad they make games like this now more than games like GTA.

 

[Pholark]

Finally. It is as you said, I've always wanted a game set in this time period. Especially one where I can stroll around, making mental notes to myself about "dames" and "crooks" whilst in a trench coat. Thanks Rockstar.

 

[icyneesan]

>"Seriously, these pictures look straight out of Chinatown,"
I am now super excited for this game.

>"except without all the incest."
And now I'm not...

Nah, not really. Game looks awesome, and I can't wait to play it. Saw the trailer for it a week or so ago and it got me uber-hyped, sorta like Mafia II

 

[Gaderael]

Wow. Those expressions were really realistic. It doesn't hurt that the game sounds really interesting. Unfortunately, it's only for the PS3/XBox 360, so I'll never get to play it.

 

[DustyDrB]

That dude looks like Ken...Gosgrove...from Accounts! (people who watch Mad Men know what I'm talking about)

 

[Irridium]

That looks really good.

I really hope that it manages to avoid the uncanny valley. Because with a game like this, you either pass or fail when it comes down to it.

 

[Yossarian1507]

That dude looks like Ken...Gosgrove...from Accounts! (people who watch Mad Men know what I'm talking about)

Because it's him (Aaron Staton).

As I said after watching the trailer (and as I said to my friends after the 2006 trailer): I'm going to buy it on the release date, no matter what other awesome game would hit the shelves that day. I love that story setting, I love the mystery games, I love the United States of 30ts 40ts. This game had me solved on it the day it was announced somewhere in 2006.

 

[SovietSecrets]

The more I hear bout this game, the more I want it. Hope its good.

 

[Squilookle]

It looks alright, My main worry is that LA will be a boring city to drive around. I don't mean nothing to do, I mean sort of flat and boring grid like etc.

Well even if it bombs, there'll always be Mafia II, which is one helluva consolation prize.

 

[Bat Vader]

I am happy that L.A. Noire is starting to finally come together. I was afraid that it was going to be canceled but luckily it wasn't. It kinda reminds me of Mafia II.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

I want this game to be good so bad. I pray daily that it doesn't just become 'GTA Time-Locked in 1947.'

This game will be one of my top ten for sure if it does all it promises.

 

[JDKJ]

"Set in 1947, when so many GIs were returning from World War II and Hollywood was really taking off, Los Angeles is rife with corruption and murder."

Did they have to reach so far in back in time for a setting? If they used 2010 as a setting, Los Angeles would still be rife with corruption and murder. Ain't shit changed between then and now.

 

[The Last Nomad]

The graphics are great, but not as good as most recent games, but the actual movement of the characters faces was amazing.

The game itself looks a bit hit or miss. But it is a Rockstar game and as such will probably be awesome.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

the story is told through a series of connect

You're missing the "-ed" at the end of "connect" there, might want to correct that. Super pedant away!

 

[Harrowdown]

Man, i'm psyched for this now. Heard about it ages back, thought it sounded good. Ever since Mafia II i've had a massive throbbing hard on for stuff set in this period and all.

 

[Tsaba]

I like the art style, it helps it look good, really good, I look forward to this game.