L.A. Noire (Nintendo Switch) Review

L.A. Noire (Nintendo Switch) Review

Credit: Rockstar Games

Way back in 2011 Rockstar Games released a hidden gem with L.A. Noire, which was focused on slow-paced detective cases and pinioned in facial animation. It stood apart from the action based games released during the time, I for one never got to play it but heard wonders from friends. Bringing together a solid 1940’s visuals into the gaming industry, with the player's ability to judge reactions being a focus. But does the Nintendo Switch version hold up? Or fall into a tangled web.

Bring a game over to less powerful console like the Nintendo Switch, is an accomplishment from studios and Rockstar Games knock it out the park. Staying true to the original vision and making it accessible to a new fan base, L.A. Noire brings all 21 cases to Nintendo Switch fans in style.

Amid the post-war boom of Hollywood's Golden Age, Cole Phelps is an LAPD detective thrown headfirst into a city drowning in its own success. Corruption is rampant, the drug trade is exploding, and murder rates are at an all-time high. In his fight to climb the ranks and do what's right, Phelps must unravel the truth behind a string of arson attacks, racketeering conspiracies and brutal murders, battling the L.A. underworld and even members of his own department to uncover a secret that could shake the city to its rotten core.

Credit: Rockstar Games

You play as the LAPD detective Cole Phelps, with the whole game revolving around gathering evidence and making accusations against subjects. Phelps is a compelling lead who doesn’t have perfect traits, and always gets the job done in the process.

I loved how his rich backstory is explained in the game, as throughout the campaign we see glimpses of his Army memories unfolding in heart-warming cutscenes. Keeping audiences on the edge of seats with the signature Rockstar Games storytelling formula, anyone looking for a substantial range of cases should look no further.

L.A. Noire best gameplay element has to be an interrogation, where players must use their brains and clout to pin suspects into crimes. I loved the intense moments with less than happy suspects, as heated exchanges push the game into new territory. Animations of the characters are still impressive on Switch, with the attention to detail being on another level. The performances all have the heart and soul of a real-life movie, with each expression being necessary to the cases.

Interrogations have been changed in this version, with the "Truth," "Doubt," systems on previous generation hardware is updated to Good Cop," "Bad Cop," and "Accuse." Fixing the issues players had with understanding Cole's behavior towards the accused, in the original. I enjoyed the change, but sometimes the misinformed responses can change cases for the worst by accident. Resulting in redoing entire stages for the perfect answer, I would have preferred a written choice system seen in RPG games.

Credit: Rockstar Games

From the car theft, murder and comedic case: L.A. Noire for Switch offers an insane amount of content - with no mission being locked away. All of the content from the PS3, and 360 versions have been added, making this a complete version of the classic. Rockstar Games obviously update L.A. Noire control schemes for the Nintendo Switch with touch screen inspections make it the perfect handheld version.

Added use of the iconic HD Rumble is an excellent addition to this version, with the vibrating chimes indicating breaks in the cases. The game controls quite well on the system, not unlike previous generation versions. But I do believe fans might have to get accustomed to the driving aspects of LA. Noire which don't fit the Switch layout, breaking feels off and not as precise. It does provide motion controls, which make playing the game with Joy-Cons much easier. You can also play with any other Switch controllers, making the game adaptable for different play styles.

L.A. Noire is not perfect with the chunky movement, and terrible stiff shootouts limit players from feeling like a rugged cop. I also hate the chase sequences forcing you into physically sweating palms, with the cramped Nintendo Switch control placement. The free roaming areas do not offer many opportunities to players, with the random street crimes lacking needed weight. Making the recreations of 1940's Los Angeles feels lifeless, after completing missions.

But considering L.A. Noire's age, I can give those issues a pass because of original game ideas and solid plot elevate it into a play arena. Rockstar Games tackling the handheld version with so much care is worth the full price: with Cole Phelps adventures in LA getting a new lease on life. I feel like the additions make the Switch version a definite pick up for anyone wanting to play a story based game on the commute.