L.A. Noire Needed One More Case
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ส.ค. 2017
- L.A. Noire is a pretty fantastic game, but could its story have benefited from one more case? If you don't ask, you never find out.
Featured Music, all from L.A. Noire:
Noire Clarinet
Arson - Redemption (Part 2)
Black Caesar Drive - Unofficial Name -
A Driving Thought - Unofficial Name -
J.J.
Homicide - Use and Abuse (Part 4)
Slow Brood
Arson - Redemption (Part 1)
Investigation Theme #1 - Unofficial Name -
Arson - Redemption (Part 3)
Menu Theme
L.A. Noire is published by Rockstar Games, and is available on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. - เกม
I always felt like Phelps’s wife should’ve had more screen time before he gets caught cheating so that the player has a chance to actually feel bad that he cheated on her.
Or just more screen time for Elsa and Phelps so that the affair doesn't feel like idiotic whiplash.
I agree with you both.
There should've been more screen time for Cole's wife, not only to make the player feel bad for her, but also to show how their relationship changed after Cole's return from the war.
As for Elsa, there should've been more dialogue with her, 'cause she and Cole barely exchanged a word before manifest destiny, and neither of them show any kind of attraction to the other until that point.
The game certainly could've done both of these things better.
Dude, I got way pissed when I saw Cole cheating on his ex-wife. I got very happy for Roy exposing him.
@@matheuscrack50 you know he only did it so people would attack him and ignore the thing him and his buddies could keep doing what they were doing
@@sportaflop169 i know, but still happy that Phelps was caught
It was a shame that the Burglary Division was cut from the game. I would have enjoyed investigating as to how a guy could rob a safe in plain sight but not get caught or as to how burglaries are committed in a single area and not once does the beat officer catch sight of the man all because he is the burglar!
flashstudiosguy yeah. And our partner would be voiced by Brandon Keener (Garrus). Sad.
There was going to be a Burglary desk? Damn, that sounds awesome.
And also the bunco/fraud desk was cut from the game. I’d have loved to investigate draft dodgers who slipped through the cops fingers during the war or some massive tax scam or investigate a tontine. The possibilities were endless for that desk.
Martin Fawkes damn would have been dope
flashstudiosguy where can I read up on that
The arson desk felt rushed more than anything. I can see some sloppiness in storytelling emerging a few cases in.
It's okay, it's not a horrible desk.
@@gswarriors1439 not horrible but definitely the worst desk in the game.
weed75 Black same also I don't mind Cole dying but I wish he would of been killed by roy or something not drown because of a rushed affair with Elsa
That was hella unexpected though I was thinking some hired mafia would pull up and light him up with Tommy guns. But I agree on the Arson deal kinda being trash and the Vice was fun but short
stan lol I comment way to much then
This game got me sucked into the 1940s and 1950s culture
TheMazzken I know how you feel. I'm stuck listening to old radio shows and songs and watching old Civil Defense films.
Yeah me too. I love the old era cultures now. I watch TV shows and movies from that time, I'm interested at looking at old shops and all the antiques now.
TheMazzken yeah I had a big urge to try on those suits and hats. The men of the day rocked them well and it’d be neat to see a similar style make a comeback.
The level of immersion in Rockstar's titles is insane. The level of detail in LA Noire really made the world so much more believable than anything released by other developers.
Should've played Mafia 1 and 2.
Definitely very underrated game.
Not underrated, but forgotten. This game sold well, it got very positive reviews, no-one but die-hard fans just don't remember it anymore.
@@paistinlasta1805 true
@@paistinlasta1805
It sold well - for Rockstar. The people who made the game originally did not receive adequate compensation.
@@Aivottaja The developers went bankrupt and if it wasn't for Rockstar the game wouldnt've come out. Rockstar even offered to buy Team Bondi as Rockstar Sydney but they refused and the company was liquidated. So I would say Team Bondi threw in the towel. And I don't blame them, the developement of the game was hell. They were workin +12 hours and sleeping in the office. Not to mention the game was in developement since 2004. No shaming Rockstar for saving the game from that dumpster fire of a company.
@@paistinlasta1805
It's true that the game would not have been released had Rockstar not scavenged it. But the bankruptcy was not the fault of the team making the game. It was the asshole in charge who handled it like a slave trade. The people who actually made the game got cheated and that's what bothers me.
L.A. Noire is a fascinating game. With a bit of extra time and polish it probably could've been the best ever made. High potential games like these always seem to stumble right before the finish line. Shame Team Bondi is gone too. If any studio deserved to go under it definitely wasn't them.
Telltale too now..
@@matejmamic03 telltale actually deserved it the creative bunch not the game developers they did the same formula for 7 years even ubisoft doesn't do that
Apparently the studio head was a total fucker. Shame the individuals who actually created the game had to suffer for it. That's why they got shut down by Rockstar.
They didn't get shut down by Rockstar. Team Bondi basically went bankrupt. In fact Rockstar offered to buy the studio to be Rockstar Sydney, but they refused. I heard they were doing 12 hour shifts for this game and still the game delayed from 2008 to 2011. From what I understand they knew it was over for the studio before L.A. Noire even shipped out, it was such a disaster.
From what I've read, basically the same people made a port for current gen consoles and VR and now making a new game for next-gen consoles. Also creative director took a chill pill and it's actually possible to work with him.
Sometimes you've got to shake the tree to see what falls out
HOW HASN'T THIS BECOME A MEME?!?!
Vaickingo2.0 (x) doubt took the spotlight
Gotta raise those lumps.
@@clanku2.010 someone did, but it was very under the radar sadly :(
That's how you get bees
We need a new Noire game. "N.Y. Noire" or "Chicago Noire".
Agreed
LA NOIRE II but it's in Louisiana
@Finley Warwick They recall their experiences with Cole and their views of him, while we get to see what happens to them afterwards
Chicago noire would be awesome
@Finley Warwick Pretty neat idea
This game is a save scummer's worst nightmare.
Especially on the remaster because you cant skip cutscenes.
@@nazzeem_4388 you can as of now, you just hold down X or A. there's a few parts you can't skip though.
Juat earned my platinum trophy on the remastered version just 2 days ago. If i was patient enough at the original time of release I couldve earned the PS3 version its platinum a long time ago. But yeah it was a nightmare that game with the 95 vehicles 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Hahahaha so true
Cole Phelps didn’t die. He lived and moved from LA to New York City where he started working as an ad man on Madison Avenue, changing his name from Cole Phelps to Kenneth Cosgrove.
Crazy how Pete and Harry also show up during the arson cases
And Mickey Cohen became a comedian, insulting the fat wives of customers
@@arisumego there is like 96 actors from madmen that are in la noire.
🤦🏽
La Noire’s homicide cases are the most intriguing because you get to learn more about the Black Dahlia, the games crime scenes are actually very accurate to the real ones. If they did a sequel it would be interesting to see New York in the late 1950s or even San Francisco, when the Zodiac haunted the city.
Agreed. One note - zodiac was in 1969-1971/1972
A sequel starring Kelso partnering with Herschel to avenge Cole by exposing Roy and the other corrupt forces in the LAPD would be neat.
They can also remake the game from the ground up and clear up some of the plot holes and fill the gaps
Ooh, that'd be spicy! Love the idea.
The story is a tragedy. It isn't supposed to have a happy ending. The corruption isn't supposed to be defeated.
@@TarjeiElias if you want to watch a similar movie watch Serpico with Al Pachino (1971)
@@TarjeiElias I'm sure most people understand that. What was disappointing about the ending was the pacing of the setup to its ingredients being off because the dev team were so rushed they had to cut an entire desk. There's also a little bit of the good old "couldn't you just have hurried up a bit" trope in that last sacrifice scene - not the worst example by any means, but Cole's death felt a little needless in-the-moment. Narratively important, but practically daft. That was how it came across for me on a first playthrough, anyway. It improves on a rewatch, certainly.
Basically, they shouldn't have been arguing who saves who at the end, they should've just been scrambling for the exit. Bit of a problem when using unfortunate timing convenience as a plot device (if only the water had rushed through a bit later); any delays in trying to beat the clock make the characters look like idiots (in general - wouldn't go as far as 'idiots' in this case).
Still want to stress that it only has a little bit of that problem. There are loads of far worse examples out there. Only saying it's not perfect, that's all.
Just finished the game, gonna miss Phelps.
Cristian G. Moraru “goodbye!” Almost teared up when he said that
We all do, Cristian. The best thing we can do is honor his memory and remember the lessons he taught us. Even in the face of disgrace he fought through to try to redeem himself, and he (almost) always did the right thing. Cole Phelps was a great man and one that will live on in our hearts. The next time you stumble across a morphine-smuggling ring and think about taking some and selling it for yourself think.. “what would Cole Phelps do?”
Cole phelps, badge twelve-fourty-seven
nu te cred , alt roman ? :))
@@mrifqi488 yeah , btw ifs forty not fourty
I'm surprised there hasn't been more games like this
The studio ended up closing down soon after so the other companies read that as a lack of interest. They actually were planning another game, set in 1930's Shanghai, called 'The Whore of the Orient'. Really disappointed it will never see the light of day.
@@suicidalbuddha That's a shame. The game was ahead of it's time.
There might be a sequel some day. It's been speculated, that the release of the remastered version was a test to see how much interest in the game is there. It probably won't come any time soon though, since Rockstar is too busy with GTA Online, RDR Online and the speculated development of Bully 2. Ever since the remaster the game has gained in popularity quite a bit and Take-Two doesn't say no to a potential cash cow.
@@suicidalbuddha let's not forget the costs that the studio and Rockstar dumped into the game
@@CursedBrainJuice Rockstar offered to buy the studio out when they went bankrupt too
I overall agree. Biggs was an instant favorite of mine. Like the idea of that extra case to help tell the story. I however, may be in the minority when I say I would have loved to have seen more cases. LA Noire is one of my favorite games ever and the 20 cases just weren't enough. A sequel could help quench that thirst but man I would have loved to have seen some 20 or 30 more cases. The game doesn't get old to me. I love it!
Y'know... A sequel is still within the realm of possibility.
The Game Knight yeah anything is a possibility but a sequel for this game is improbable
But not impossible.
Kelso and Biggs solving cases for the D.A. would be awesome as another stand alone game. I’d buy it in a heartbeat
There was another desk planned, and written: Fraud/"Bunco". Events are mentioned in passing, and it would have taken place between Traffic and Homicide. It was cut, intended for DLC, but Team Bondi collapsed.
I felt like I knew who Cole Phelps was early on. The way he avoided conversations about the war and never really liked people talking him up about how he was a war hero. It made me realize before even reaching homicide desk that Cole doesnt feel like a hero and probably did something bad over there. I felt they gave us enough hints we aren't a war hero and shit went bad over seas, the only way you wouldn't pick up on it is if you completely ignore conversations had with partners on the drives tio crime scenes and suspect questioning
The reason why he doesn't bring up his past during ww2 was because if you read the newspapers and paid attention to the flashbacks you'll see that cole was very poor at being a marine captain his decisions lead to many of his unit dying in war which explains why most of the time he looks upset during failed case sequences it shows that he thinks he's a failure
As a veteran I didn't really connect all of that.
Most of us just dont like talking about it. Bad shit happened, we want to move on.
The Fact that Cole is such a Flawed yet Well written Character makes me appreciate this game even more.
Most games always have this Cliche Flawless protagonist with a equally flawless backstory just so people can easily find such character likable.
But Characters like Cole or Captain Martin Walker from Spec ops is type of Protagonist i love..They are like i said,Flawed yet well written..which makes them likable cus you like their writing and dislike yet sympathize with them cus of their portayal and they feel more humane since they make stupid mistakes..
I really, really agree with this. One can clearly see the flaws in Phelps, but still admire his professionalism and deep-down attempt to do the right thing. I don't feel, as the player, you ever dislike him at all - you just question his decisions (which is a good thing). Good protagonist - though it's a little strange they try and diminish him so much with the focus on Kelso at the end. Didn't feel right when trying to tie together Phelps' story that the game actually pulls away from him at the end.
The way you rant about Roy😂 Honestly me every time I replay LA Noire.
LMFAO SAME
Maybe it's just me, but playing as Kelso, I found myself massively more connected and invested in his character than I was with Phelps. Maybe it was being just the breath of fresh air but every time I get to the end of the game I end up wishing I could have played a game about Kelso instead, everything about his gameplay and character feels much more earned, I would totally believe his missions were some of the last ones made simply because you can tell the designers had a really tight grasp on the gameplay loop and what made it fun.
we need a sequel where we play as kelso
I'm glad you felt that way. Personally, I grew such an attachment to Phelps that the only real part of the game I disliked was the focus on ( and playing as) Kelso. It seemed forced and I didn't like playing as a character that I didn't feel like I actually *was* if you know what I mean. I like him as a side character, but I don't like how they focussed so much on him only at the end and they tried really hard to build him up by diminishing Phelps. But I'm glad that people like you disagree so there was a purpose of including him so integrally
I FELT THE EXACT SAME WAY! i LOVED kelso in a way i just couldn’t love and connect with phelps.
Making us play as him instead of Cole for his last case was a pretty stupid decision though.
@@scorpion6328 yeah i get that i don’t disagree
Roy reminds me of something I'd like to see in another LA Noire type game. Having the option to be corrupt. And theres also a corruption meter. Depending on how corrupt you are you get different Story outcomes and Endings
I feel like Arson should have had two parts to it. One file with just Phelps and Biggs and one file for Jack Kelso alone. And we should have gotten the Burglary desk.
I like this much more. When Kelso came in, it felt rushed and a bit like "why am I playing as this other dude right now. Put me back to Phelps". I think separating them as files would have been a much smarter option. Then they could join up and have the same ending (though I do definitely think we should have controlled Phelps for the final mission and not Kelso - felt strange not to end, playing as the lead character)
I think we should have had more game time with Kelso maybe or an extra storyline perhaps, he was enjoyable to play as really, even though i did enjoying playing as cole really tbh. If they did a restored game with all the desks a re-release it would make the game interesting definitely with all the cut content tbh. I could maybe see a sequel opportunity in the future with cole phelps having amnesia and ending up in a different city or wanting to be live another life or something, or Kelso trying to find Cole.
I still think the players turning on Cole because of his war mistakes are misplaced. Shit happens, it’s war
I always thought that Hershel was a great partner from the first case of arson
I have been following that actor's career for some time, long before he played Harvey Bullock in Batman films and games. He is almost too good at these morally-grey roles.
@@tedpilledtonysoprano5512 great, fitting actor for the role of Biggs for sure
I agree with a lot of your analysis, but disagree with the main point. I don't think that Phelps was a jerk. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't a perfect guy either, but that's the point - in life there is no black or white, it's all different shades of grey. Just like Kelso says in that clip - in life nobody deserves a medal, it's all about circumstances. Yes, the game did show Phelps doing bad things, but it also showed him being a very good cop . I agree that he probably wanted to be a hero, but he didn't let that affect his decision making, he was always following evidence, yes, he made educated guesses based on that evidence, but he never constructed crazy conspiracies based on nothing or his gut feeling and hoped that it'll come true. Putting something like that in the game would question the whole Phelps as a good investigator narrative and it just wouldn't be consistent with what we have seen and experienced in the majority of the game. Don't forget that all of his promotions were well deserved, everybody praised him for a reason. So yes, he was a good cop and a bad husband. And those mistakes he made in a war, he knew he wasn't worth that medal and he didn't try to trick other people into thinking that he was, so once again - he was honest and he realized his mistakes, at least to some extent.
Thanks! You saved me watching this video.
And dont forget that cheating is as humane as living. Bad, yes, but normal. And those guys bringed him down for that, were prostitution clients, Killers, drug dealers, hypocrats. They destroyed the last true honorable Guy in that city
Bekowksy is the best partner easily
Biggs is better tbh. He's the only one to stand up to Phelps when everyone else was kicking him while he was down.
Bekowsky is my number 2 though
"Can I shoot this guy already"
@@samhitchcock7237 haha..that car dealer right ? 😂
Rusty was my favorite
Jonas Seorum same
Oh and while we're talking Mass Effect, Herschel Biggs' voice actor also voiced the Collector General. Dude's got range.
SaberRexZealot you mean the Harbinger. Collector General never speaks, yet Harbie does through him and other collector drones. The prime REAPER.
His VA also voiced Joshua Graham from Fallout: New Vegas
He’s also in The Dark Knight as an officer in the GCPD
This whole game is A bunch of movie Actors! Not just voiced but the Actual Actors 3D Rendition in Game! I always thought that was Awesome.. Old guy from Fight Club, Mexican Dude from Good Girls(Netflix Orig) & the list goes on
Dude is nothing if not prolific.
Actually, it was intended to have 2-3 more desks AND playable war flashbacks.
I would have loved the play the war flashbacks
Well. This game gives me Mafia 2 vibes so maybe.
@@MariusBoss11458 LA Noire style game against the Mafia would be great
@@MariusBoss11458 lol same btw ești cumva roman ? dacă da ce cauți pe aici ? :))
@@Valentinnq8 Pot să zic la fel de tine.
You're disagreeing with the exact style of a noir film that this game captures to the tee. It's supposed to paint the clear picture moments before the conclusion, which in itself is supposed to be melancholy in nature. Noir goes against that grain. It's not what you'd like to happen for a reason. Regardless, good video man. Agree with a lot of what you say.
Yup, that extra case would make it better.
But I think what L.A. Noire needs is another game.
How about a game that lets you play as Roy or some other crooked cop or a game that let's you arrest all those pedophiles that got away scot-free.
Or, a completely new story. N.Y. Noire, maybe?
L. A. Noire had lackluster sales compared to it´s cost. It´d requrie another ambitious studio that acquires the rights, gets a team of equally, if not more talented people together, that have the passion, convince investors to fork over 100 mil for the production on a sequel to a project that failed and it still would take 3-5 years. To which the publishers will say FU, we just make another COD those stupid kids buy it anyway.
*+Garland Mueller*
Sorry. Sometimes you've got to shake the tree to see what falls out.
But you know what, a new game could be made with the existing assets, an expansion of sorts to save money, and it would work. L.A. Noire looks amazing when compared to some recent AAA games.
It's just wishful thinking of my part, but it would be cool if that happened ...
Garland Mueller but, Rockstar owns the rights and they stated LA Noire to be a very promising new franchise. Plus, many members of Team Bodhi joined R*.
DarkZholt I wouldn't mind to have Jack Kelso's gsme.
Yeah maybe with a free roam between cases
Cole Phelps was way too good to be true right from the start. It was quite apparent that the game was either going the highly unrealistic all-encompassing angel protagonist route till the end(which was doubtful considering the tone of the story), or he was going to be massively torn down sometime during the 2nd half of the game.
I first thought he's trying so hard because it's just the way he is but I thought they were gonna make him see that life is more complicated than his morals. In actuality, he already knew that and at some point decided not to give a fuck altogether.
Herschel is precious.
Officer Jacob, first reporting. Let's establish a perimeter and move these people along.
Ok boomer
@@aw-g This is out of context. SCRAM.
I found the amount of detail in this game amazing, I'd just stop to look at the billboards sometimes. Would have been amazing to see what Team Bondi would have done with a sequel.
Stefan Bekowsky, everyone's favorite Pole is my favorite partner.
Sure, he got pretty much discarded early on, but I like his interractions with Phelps. Especially during his dialogue when you two drove to locations. That talk about preferences n women shows how much of a good friend he was. Sometimes I really wonder if he would have helped Phelps in the last few cases in solving the corruption of Phelps asked him
The only thing I ever see about this game now is the doubt meme and its such a shame because this game will always be legendary.
"Oh no Garris cares about a dead kid that's so sad, please tell me more so I can advance his companion quest!"
Holy shit, is that a spot on description of gamified psychopathy.
I think we didn't get enough Jack Kelso cases.
Is it bad that I knew Hershel was a good guy because his voice was so soothing?
Also he's the first man you hear at the start of the game. Intro Cutscene.
Honestly, I went into this video expecting an explanation on why a case AFTER the end scene was needed. Ya know, a case where the whole endgame for Phelps, Kelso, and Biggs was finally reached and saw all the crooks behind bars where they belong. But after watching, I realized the entire video was right. The story of LA Noire isn’t really meant to end like the typical Hollywood hero film. LA Noire is meant to be gritty and true to itself. Not every case gets solved, and even when we’re told our lil detective, the literal eyes and ears for the player, is the best there is, we’re meant to see he’s isn’t. But in the end, we’re left with an even greater character than we started with, and a story greater than most out there in the genre.
This is on the top of my list of "Odd masterpieces", along with Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven.
Odd Masterpieces...boy that's brilliant. I don't think I've heard a game described more perfectly before. I adore this game, it is sadly misunderstood by many, but there are plenty of valid criticisms to go around too. But it is a very anomalous gem indeed and tragically made under crunch circumstances.
Now I'm wondering what else could deserve the Odd Masterpiece title... I'm thinking along the lines of Snake Pass, maybe Dead Rising, The Warriors I guess? I dunno, that takes some thought.
The things that made me fail to see that we're supposed to start seeing Phelps in a less-than-flattering light is that from the very beginning, his little notebook shows all of the desks you're eventually going to be working (including Arson), and that finding the newspapers (as well as some dialogue and cutscenes along the way) gives away that fire is going to play a part in the conspiracy you've been slowly piecing together since Vice.
I’ve never heard of this game before. I love murder mystery stories, and I love this era. Thanks you Jacob for telling me about this game. Now I want to play it!
I know this is 4 years ago but you need to play it, it's a great game.
I like how he turned from a reasonable driver to total maniac.
One of rockstar's most underrated games ever
This game cut out an entire burgurly desk. When you advance to homicide it is referenced the Cole came from that desk. Though we never get to play it. There is also the adultery angle that is underdeveloped. Despite the game's length there are plot developments underutilized. The entire homicide desk comes off as filler. The desk has nothing to do with the larger narrative. Neither does the traffic desk. It doesn't actually develop until vice. Which is far too late in the game for that. The story is good but could have been great.
You're the first person to call out my thoughts on the Homicide desk *exactly*. That part was such a narrative slog for the bigger picture of the game, along with its repetitive as hell gameplay loop of women murdered/ring torn from finger/same guy must be doing it despite department being satisfied with results. (which from what I understand was meant to mirror the real-life Black Dahlia murders, still doesn't mean it should be shoehorned into an unrelated plot/woulda been better as a DLC in my opinion).
Honestly put down the game for almost a year before recently completing it, after the Vice desk FINALLY grabbed my attention with a cohesive plot that has impact.
I think Hogeboom was planned to be the serial killer (or at least someone else from the Army was), because of the message on the body that said, "Fuck BD. Tex". "Tex" is Hogeboom's army nickname.
@@rakh3942 Yeah, I thought the same thing. Especially when the newspapers point the finger directly at Ira.
Yeah and during the traffic and homicide desks i was confused on how they could end a game about a detective just climbing the ranks and solving cases
I'm so glad you give Herschel Biggs his due. He's my favorite.
Homicide desk got me addicted to the game. Solving five murders that were linked between each other with the Dahlia killer, discovering it was the temp bartender this whole time, what a great plot twist. After that, the game had a good downgrade to me, it felt rushed.
I love Roy and Cole's dynamic, would have loved to see them interact more. Have more cases together, or perhaps Cole getting a glimpse of Roy's life and backstory. Maybe even something like, if Cole survived the ending (highkey unlikely), him and Roy progressing so they go from bitter rivals to respecting each other from different sides... I don't know. These two are just my favourite characters by far.
same
Glad to see a video on a game most people I assumed forgotten about. Very refreshing
I appreciate the complexity of Cole's character. Chequered military history, yet lauded as a hero, rises up the LAPD ranks, only to fall from grace, before sacrificing his life to save others. I never disliked the character, but there were moments that made go "No mate, don't do that!"
I refer, mainly to Elsa. You talk about the game being too long, but I feel like it could have benefited from a branch, right before he commits adultery. Give us the option to do the deed, or not. If you go through with the affair the game continues as normal. But if you don't knock on her door, if you walk away, then you embark on a different set of cases, that would lead to another heroic conclusion, keeping his redemption intact.
Or maybe that'd be too much. Maybe the Elsa affair still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I think the Elsa plotline would have been better-received if Cole's reasons were a bit more clear.
And that makes the game size bigger. Now I'm not talking about the game story but the game development, for the details of the graphic itself already take very much size and you wanna make it like Telltale games, each choices had it's own consequences... the game could exceed to 30GB
I mean. A fully optimistic ending would go against the entire idea of noir
UNDERRATED game, i played it when i was like 11 and i didnt get the experience. I play it now at 16 and realize that the story is deeper and you need to be kinda mature to play and have the full experiene.
Psdt: Make more LA noire videos.
I really enjoyed this video, friend. You speak with confidence and appropriately conceptualized ideas.
I personally think that we got enough of the picture, but your argument is just as valid and many others will agree with you there. An extra episode might make things a little more clear and pronounced, but I happen to enjoy the level of vague and grey that often comes with Noir genres. We don't need to know everything and our meta-discussions about the story gives the work more ground than something black and white; Less is more, as they say.
I also feel that we are not Cole or Kelso in the game, as we control nothing of the actual verbage in their communications, we are tied to a list of destinations for the cases and we can 'pass' a case without technically getting it correct. We are along for the ride in this game, when so many others would cue up a Game Over when we don't role-play correctly. I understand you connect the player's involvement as an avatar, but I see it as much more of a visual novel where we control, at most, the movements and tone of reaction to statements during the interrogations. We are simply the observer. The Player who is in many ways conducting an investigation of our own on the events and characters involved.
Really enjoyed this. Thanks for making it.
After finishing the game, despite Cole’s emotinal death, I ended up laughing because the story was so good.
My gf cried
yeah, the thing is, you are really connected with phelps throughout almost the whole story, and then he goes and cheats on his wife. it comes so far out of left field it seems like a critical oversight.
with that said, i do think your suggestion would improve arson. i would have liked to spend more time in that desk in general, but the whole final stretch of the game is a bit rushed
From watching playthroughs I think Herschel is probably the best partner out of all of them. He has the experience that connects him to Cole in more than one way. From his own spirits of solving cases to the war to being the there when needed. That connection means that despite his reservations and comments he actually appreciates someone like Cole to be his partner. It means an easier job for him and yet he still has a lot to contribute through his experience. He gives Cole directions and a counterpoint rather than just following along. They work really well together if you think about it. Someone in the comments said the cases felt rushed, which I think has more to do with the fact these two really work very effective together. I certainly agree another case would be helpful for the story if only to drive home what a guy Herschel is and giving him more screen time to establish that.
I think the reason many want to get the cases right and not make mistakes is to uphold that posterboy status Cole is given and it doesn't fit the starting narrative, but when you see the story play out you get the feeling that screwing up was never the problem and actually might fit better with his character. While he is good at solving cases, the means of getting there may not always be the right way and making mistakes due to his character traits actually feels like it would fit better. What the game could have done is to pad each desk with cases that aren't specific cases of their own, but play more like radiant quests in other games. Cases that are just wrapping up already finished things. Arson cases that are clear accidents, just being called because its protocol. Murder cases that are obvious accidents in the homes of people, because that's the most common place for deadly accidents. Vice cases just being annoying drunks and the odd prostitution bust. There is something like that already in there in the dispatch missions and street crimes, but nothing really makes us do them and the game lacks the sort of inter-case free roams that would allow us to do them without a case breathing down our necks.
It's a fascinating game from the design perspective and a damn shame that nothing more was done with it, because the underlying game could support so many interesting stories. Perhaps one day we'll see a similar game or sequel come along.
Great video! You sum up how I felt about LA Noire almost exactly. It was (and still is) one of my favorites games of its generation. I know that I personally inserted myself in Cole's role in the story, right up until he started having the affair (cuz that's not how I roll)... it was at that point in the story I took a step back and started treating Cole as his own character, and not just an avatar. It made the rest of the story just that much better. It also made a second playthrough much, much more meaningful.
The idea of an extra case at the beginning of arson would have been a definite help, since I did fall into the trap of disliking Herschel immediately, and not coming around on him until later. I also felt like more of Cole's war background should have been revealed upfront, but that's probably more because I personally dislike flashbacks.
At any rate, well done! :)
Just found this video, really great work! You explained a ton of the nuanced story beats really well.
The game to me always feels like it peaks in Homicide then starts to lose a bit of steam as it goes on. The entire time on the Arson desk while good, feels rushed, which is understandable when you look in to Bodhi and the history of this games development.
I do feel Arson had a lot of potential to really fully explore Cole. Watching him trudge around unable to really solve any cases and having to accept not everything is a wild goose chase conspiracy for him to solve would’ve added a nice touch of realism.
I mean that’s essentially what Biggs is a stand in for, an older version of Cole resigned to Arson and made to go case to case getting nowhere besides catching the occasional insurance fraud.
I think this is one of the greatest games ever made, and left me almost in awe when I played it... BUT I still wholeheartedly agree with this video.
The flashbacks from the war left me for the most part confused, as the issues with Phelps remained muddled until the very end. I was so focused on Phelps being a talented cop rising the ranks at rocket speed I never really caught what a terrible army officer he was. Also I got extra confused in the beginning because his first patrol partner looks too much like Jack Kelso in the flashbacks. When you're also supposed to focus on investigative details and learn the ropes of the game it's a terrible mistake letting his first partner look similar to Kelso!
It's a lot of mumbo jumbo that could have easily been fixed. Had they been fixed I would have called this game an absolute masterpiece. It's still one hell of a fine creation though.
I got the hint he was a terrible army officer when he was talking with Kelso on Boot Camp.
Seriously though, it wasn't until Vice that I realized Phelps' first partner wasn't Kelso.
I know I’m 5 months late, but great video man, just finished on the switch and enjoyed listening to your views.
Absolutely flawless video. Great job. Your channel needs more attention.
Thank you man. You made some very bright observations and comments about this great game. It was a pleasure to watch.
The music getting me shook all over again
Funny how this video comes out right off the heels of the SBFP LP
Everytime i do cases with Roy, i always say "Roy. I love your car but i hate your face. Now tell me, WHERE ARE THE OTHER DRUGS GOING!?"
The timing is just too conspicuous with the Best Friends Zaibatsu rapping up their play through and Jacob's history of watching them (as evidence of his mentions in the KH play through)
But I guess, "sometimes you got to shake the tree to see what falls out."
Akira Kurusu 😂 C'mon Akira, you're not supposed to just come out and say it. Persona's better than that.
Zaibatsu? As in the crime syndicate from GTA 2?
I found out something was fishy when he didn't like talking about war so much.
Arson seems a bit rushed but I do like Hersh.
You make a case. This was a great dialogue game. Hope they do a second. I think it's a 9/10
Good video man. You give me a new view for this game. Also the idea with one more case is intresting and could fit this game. Despite this video is 2 year old still good content.Thanks man.
At the start I thought I was going to think that this was a dumb idea but you definitely sold me. Honestly it might just be me wanting to solve a few more new cases as Phelps
really good video, agree with most of the points
keep it up dude
Thanks, man; well-thought out idea and explanation.
HOWEVER: damnit, you've got me wanting to go out, re-buy it for my current system, and REPLAY IT. (that WOULD take up the rest of the winter, come to think of it...)
I played this amazing game and it's DLC earlier this year. Late to the party I know but that didn't hurt at all. I had all the DLC installed so I played Nicholson Electroplating before the final case. For me personally at least playing the game with the DLC fixed the very issue to which your referring at least as far as the pacing goes. Was good to have a win on the Arson desk and it flushes out Herschel's backstory, While also drawing some parallel's between Cole and Herschel.
Dude awsome video, its nice to onow that im not the only person who loves L.A. Noire. Doin my 2nd run through now trying to 5 star all cases, find all the collectable (including cars) and get all achievements to get a full 100% completion
Excellent video and great suggestions!
What a great video dude. I love it
I get where you’re going with this and I really enjoyed this game back in the day even taking the time to go back and 100% it and the dlc. I still champion it to this day and wish for something else like it someday.
It needs to be a case where EVERYTHING works out in Cole's favour. Everything fits with his theory and it's some huge conspiracy but at the end you realize that it was extremly simple, that there is a logical explanation for all the strange occurrences and Cole does solve the case but is left frustrated by his imagination getting the best of him.
An ending where everything works out in his favor goes against the entire idea of noir
@@shhs1227 ...that is not what I wrote.
My intention was to propose a case where Cole "uncovers" some kind of conspiracy, just to find out that all of the evens of the case are not related to eachother at all, proving that he's just imaging things and proving to him that, just maybe, not every event connects to some big conspiracy.
Example: Cole finds some drugs in a burned out house. They find more drugs in another guys house and so on and so on. Upons further inspection they discover that all the drugs where bought from three guys. So cole thinks that these guys are following their customers, plundering the houses and setting them on fire to dispose of the evidence. They cathc them all but it turns out that all of it was just one fucking coincidence.
The guys have no idea who the others are and just sold drugs to the customers. In the end all the customers houses had fualty electronics installed that set them on fire and the missing valuables where just colleteral damage or never existed in the first place. In the end cole gets scolded for connecting dots where there are none instead of just asuming that maybe a lot of people buy coke from their local dealer instead of their being a huge conspiracy.
@@greulich9635 Either way. That still goes against what noir is. But I do really like this concept
@@shhs1227 Please explain how it goes against the theme of LA Noire then.
@@greulich9635 No, she's saying it's going against Noir the genre. Noir is typically bitter sweet. For example how Cole gets an award despite doing a terrible job. It would make more sense if Cole botched the cases, corruption wins, and he is awarded.
Great video🤘🏽 just redownloaded this gave a few days ago going to give it another run thru after watching this
very good analysis you did here
this is my favorite game ever thanks for clearing that up
I was really annoyed with the gas man - it was a good mission but I kept fucking it up, first time round I messed up all the interviews and restarted, second time around I got most of the clues and questions but accused the wrong guy (I wanted to accuse Ryan but it wouldn't let me) and third time I managed to get 5 star - I now know the case off the back seat of my hand
I agree that it needed one more case but at the same time I also agree that it was long enough as is. This is by far one of my favorite games of all time mainly for all the cars and the theme of the 40s, but this game was perfect in my eyes. I feel there should have been another homicide case and a whole desk dedicated to Kelso just for more back story then what's in the flash backs.
I also agree with you that Herschel was the best partner. He was totally under rated and made to look lazier then Galloway but I don't agree with how he was meant to look heel-ish.
Keep up the good work though man
I think Ralph Dunn was a good partner, he was human, he was a friend and he was a regular beat cop.
i thought rusty was an asshole for like 2 cases and after that i started to slowly enjoy his character more and more, he’s by far my favorite partner in the game he’s unintentionally funny too which helps.
wow, this is a great video! i would love to play the nightly show, would have flesh out this game more. (although the game is already pretty lengthy imo)
is there by any chance of you making a persona video? i love your ff/kh video (especially your kh ones, so i would love to see you talk about other jrpg as well!) also your opinion of square trying to test out different styles of gameplay like xii, xiii, and xv all have different playstyles (for new/different players), where as atlus has stick to turn based for persona. Just something i like to see you talk about.
great work jacob!
I agree 100% with your suggestion, doing a second playthrough rn. It's really an awesome game.
Really well put, easy top 5 game of mine, but this was such a true argument to make, well done 👍🏽
This game was amazing hopefully they come out with another one
Very cool! I think you make some excellent points here and I think another case at the beginning of Arson just might help smooth some of the bumps out. Subscribed now!
Herschel is my favorite partner as well and he is also the narrator at the beginning of the game. You just gotta pay attention if you play it again.
Herschel was a great character. I thought it was really poignant at phelps funeral when he is talking to Jack Kelso where Kelso says "I was never really his enemy" and Herschel says "I think he knew that Jack"
I'm so glad that someone is still talking about this game. It's not talked about enough. It's spectacular. Rockstar needs to expand on this game.
Excellent video. I hope you get tons of views.
I liked Roy. A sound, sharp-minded fellow
I also think Homicide should've hand a stand alone case not related to the Dalia killings at all.
We could see a different side of Rusty depending on the victim and circumstances (not a seemingly clear cut husband kills wife case) and what he's like with different crimes and also not have to have this happened "You arrested the wrong man and everyone will know him as a killer...Here's your 5 stars"
Great video, that imagined case really did help tie up my feeling on the game.
That was probably the greatest and most accurate description of Roy Earle i've ever heard, fantastic
I think rusty is one of my favourite characters from the game I think he’s amazing
You hit every point on the nose. Having watched a lets play just this past week of this game, I too reciprocate the feeling of abruptness towards the ending... Cole's sacrifice does seem like an action he would take, but it just kind of... ends. And boy was I upset when Roy's dumbass was the one giving his eulogy...
Very well put together video