L.A. Noire

Scott Hardie | June 21, 2011
I don't know how many video game fans are around here these days, but is anybody else playing L.A. Noire? I've really gotten into it over the last few weeks. For one, it looks incredible. I rarely care much about pretty art design in a game, but this one insists on being noticed. It has unbelievable polish and attention to detail. It's also completely immersive, in that I really feel like I'm in the game world and embodying this character; my favorite kind of gaming experience.

Some people complain about the too-linear play, since most choices don't derail the plot, but I like it that way. I don't enjoy difficult games that force me to do the same part twenty times until I pass, and the level design of this game is just wide open enough that it feels like you have a whole world to explore even when the game tells you where to go next. I wish there were more incidental side-quests and trouble you could dig up outside of the main story, but what's there is fine, and I guess I'm supposed to pay more to download that stuff in this day and age.

My only real gripe about the game is that it automatically saves after everything I do. I'd prefer to save on my own so that I can step back and do a particular part over again. Overall, what a game.

Jon Berry | June 21, 2011
I really want to play it, but I'm still needing to work through Red Dead Redemption before I pick up a copy.

And as far as linearity goes, it depends, sometimes I really like it (Heavy Rain), sometimes it kills the game (FF13).

But very excited to get it!

Scott Hardie | July 9, 2011
I finished it last night. What an ambitious game this is! The story becomes very complex in the second half, as you realize how much of the early game was only prelude and setup for what was to come. Robert Towne would be proud of this mystery. Hell, Roger Ebert might even be forced to make a certain concession. I have a few more nits to pick now that I've finished it, but overall I'm very satisfied with this game. Great stuff.

Scott Hardie | July 9, 2011
I don't think real cops have fun like this.

Samir Mehta | July 12, 2011
[hidden by request]

Scott Hardie | July 12, 2011
Borrow from a friend? I'd be happy to share if we lived near each other. You could also rent one. Blockbuster and similar stores sometimes rent systems inexpensively, if you can find any nearby that haven't gone out of business; it's worth calling them to ask. Good luck.

Scott Hardie | July 12, 2011
I haven't been lucky enough to play Portal or Portal 2 yet, but I like the idea.

Jon Berry | July 14, 2011
I just want to say, if you got a PS3, Scott, play Heavy Rain. If you can, it's just... so beautiful.

And for the geek aspect, GO FINAL FANTASY TACTICS.

K, I'm done.