Rockstar Games has really developed a sense of style and drama that’s pulled it away from its identity of “the GTA company.” First Red Dead Redemption
To compensate for me not having completely played through the game, I’ve written this quick review in iambic pentameter. Enjoy.
The uncanny valley will soon be gone
For Rockstar Games has (mostly) conquered it.
It’s not another sandbox game, and not
A simple Heavy Rain clone. No, that gives
The game a false impression that it’s just
Some genre knock-off. L.A. Noire combines
Some parts from GTA with loads of style
From Mafia and a bit of Pheonix Wright.
You play a beat cop rising through the ranks
Of the LAPD. It’s less Sam Spade,
More Dragnet. Good; this keeps the angst in check.
You drive, you shoot, you search, you chat, you solve.
The structure is easy to learn but tough
To love. You will be vexed by some tough crimes.
A level system, hint cues, and check points
Remove the truly hard, enraging bits.
The graphics blow my mind, but don’t quite pull
Away and out of uncanny valley.
While some scenes look like movie footage, there
Are other scenes where characters will dance
In mannequin land. It’s like Heavy Rain:
It’s sometimes creepy, sometimes really great.
There’s lots of content. Main plot will last ten,
Perhaps twelve hours (says Rockstar; didn’t get
That far). On top of that, street crimes will give
You many more hours, thanks to 40 chases,
Wild shoot-outs, fights, and so on. Plus, beyond
The crime, of course the folks at Rockstar Games
Included 95 different cars.
This game is one odd genre bender that’s
Worth picking up just for the ride. You might
Get frustrated because of the steep curve
When learning driving or gun fighting, but
The whole game’s package offers moody, stark
Noir adventure. I’m not done, but I
Give LA Noire a good, tentative
Recommendation. Pick it up or rent.
