A hands-off demo of LA Noire, Rockstar Games’ dark detective game, was available for the public to watch at PAX East this past weekend. Though some design choices give us small doubts about the pacing, the mood and execution of the visual elements of the game are thrilling contributions to LA Noire‘s position as an interactive fiction game, and we can’t wait to see more.
In LA Noire, players assume the role of Cole Phelps, an LA detective who solves crimes and murders alongside his grudging partner. If you are familiar with Aaron Staton, an actor best known for his role in the television show Mad Men who provides Phelps’ motions and voice, the first thing you notice is the stunning accuracy of Phelps’ gestures and facial expressions. Every furrow of the brow and tuck of the chin look perfect, and the character as a whole is very well-acted.
The captures are best viewed during Phelps’ interviews with witnesses and suspects, during which players evaluate the tone of voice and behavior of the interviewees and decide whether to believe or doubt what they say, or else call them out on a lie. At any time, players can consult Phelp’s notebook and use noted evidence to back up their accusations. Choosing correct options opens the interviewee up more, while choosing the wrong one will cut the discussion short.
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