I got this through Amazon pre-order last week. The PlayStation Store needs to hurry up and get back online so I can unlock my extras. I'm finding the game a lot of fun, though it's not as fast-paced as other similar games - I think a lot of that is by choice, as you're investigating crimes and not necessarily going to be always involved in the action. I actually like the pacing as it slows things down and makes you think. As with most Rockstar games the voice acting is top notch and the production values are incredible. The facial expressions are the best I've seen in a video game to date. This comes in handy during interviews, which are the highlight of the game, though relatively easy once you've worked through them a couple of times. On the downside the game seems relatively short (there are only a total of 21 cases to solve in the game, so I'm somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4s of the way done, and I've only been playing it around 10 hours or so), and the sandbox options seem pretty limited. This was something they really got right in Red Dead, which had a ton of different things for you to do between missions, and something that became super annoying in GTA 4. (How often were you on your way to the next mission when one of your friends would call and you'd have to go hang out?) In L.A. Noire this takes a backseat - sure there are radio call-ins, but not much else. I do like that they implemented a leveling system for your character. This is something that seems so obvious a choice for other games. Still, you don't get a lot other than certain bonuses for hitting certain levels. I would have liked some customization options - not necessarily a full-blown perk system like New Vegas, but even the option to dump some points into specializing in the 4 main areas of the game (driving, investigation, brawling, interviewing). It could have added some more depth to the game. Overall I'm finding the game fun, but as I alluded to earlier, it seems a bit thin, especially for a Rockstar game, which are usually quite robust time sinks. I played GTA for something like 60 hours before finally giving up on it, and I completed Red Dead with 100% in a similar timeframe. I'm excited about the release of extra cases as DLC but I still feel like the game is a little bit short. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the game, and thus far it has been a pretty flawless experience. I love the whole ambiance of the game, and even some of the little details that they included - try playing the game in black and white, for example - and the vehicles are also very nice. The music clues during investigation are pretty cool, and the score itself is another home run. Anyone else picked this one up?
I’m not playing LA Noire, but I want to. It’s odd. I was really excited about the game early on, but now that it’s here, I’m sort of lukewarm on it. I blame DNF being pushed back to June. I’ll pick it up when there’s a price cut.
Just beat it. I honestly stopped doing the calls over the radio, because they were ALWAYS on the other side of the ****ing map and I just wanted to progress the story. There was a nice turn near the end, and although the game didn't end how I would have liked, I appreciate that it didn't end how I expected either. Whoever plays this game to 100% has got to be crazy IMO too. So much tedious little (and frankly a good amount of uninteresting) stuff involved IMO. It was a real solid experience overall, and the character development and facial animations are praise worthy. I don't think I'll be playing this one again anytime soon however. I'd give it a 7.5-8/10 personally. Spoiler I wish the whole game could've been played like it was with Kelso where you could skip to your destination instead of driving across the whole damn city over every little thing. I would've definitely done more stuff if you could.
I liked the game a ton also, but probably wont replay it either. And to your spoiler problem Spoiler If you get out and hold Y near your vehicle it will make your partner drive and skip to the destination. Sometimes they will make you wait for a small portion of the car chit chat, but it helps cut alot of time down.
Ah. I didn't know that skipped straight there too. Also, if you aren't going to play it again, Amazon has a trade in value of like $33.50 or so.
I just finished the first disc, and lets just say i was shocked how quickly that occured. the lack of sandbox activity is a let-down. i was hoping it would be GTA but with this angle...which is essentially what red dead was with a western. great graphics and direction, capturing that old LA...but I feel very limited and constrained in the game. for all the fun the missions are, the lack of outside mission controls hurts it.
I'm doing the arson missions now. I like how the game feels different than GTA, but I do feel like I'm doing the same thing over and over again. Still, a really good game. So far, I've replayed 3 cases.
Just finished the game. I liked it a lot, but I only spent about 20 hours on it (I spent about 60 on red dead redemption). The game also seems way too easy if that makes any sense. This might be more Carmen Sandiego than gta. Spoiler so I guess kelso is the main character in a part two? maybe we learn why ray ratted cole out?
Couple of tidbits. One, LA Noire is coming to the PC this fall. I'm going to wait and pick it up then. Hopefully the graphics will be enhanced. And two, IGN has a nice history of the game's seven year development:
