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LA Noire Coming to Switch November 14

by David Lloyd - September 7, 2017, 8:29 am EDT
Total comments: 14

Rockstar Games returns to Nintendo platforms after eight years away.

Mark your calendars because on November 14, Rockstar Games will be releasing an enhanced port of their 2011 game LA Noire on the Switch as well as other consoles.

This new port will include the full original game as well as all of the additional downloadable content. The Switch will even receive specific enhancements, a Joy-Con mode with gyroscopic and gesture-based controls, over-the-shoulder camera, and touch-based controls.

This will be the first release of a Rockstar-published game on a Nintendo system since Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on DS in 2009.

LA Noire is a neo-noir detective thriller originally released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011. The plot and aesthetics draw heavily from '40s and '50s noir detective films and a new facial capture technology was used to enhance the character performance. Playing as Cole Phelps, you'll work your way up the police ranks by solving crimes using a combination of investigative techniques as well as your knuckles and gun when required.

Talkback

Thank the maker!

Ian SaneSeptember 07, 2017

This is an odd choice on the part of Rockstar.  Regarding their open world games from the time period this is generally regarded as the weakest behind GTA and Red Dead Redemption.  They've kind of picked the one with the least sales potential which is annoying if this is to be any sort of "test" for the Switch.

Though I could see them doing the general stereotype about Nintendo systems and assuming that this one, since you play a cop and thus a clear "good guy", is more suitable for the Nintendo audience than the morally ambiguous characters of their other games.

AdrockSeptember 07, 2017

I figure Rockstar felt LA Noire was the best choice since the Switch version will launch at the same time as the PS4 and Xbox One versions. That way, Rockstar avoids the late-port conundrum. Makes sense though people double dipping with Switch ports seems due to the portable aspect so perhaps it didn't matter which game Rockstar picked.

Mop it upSeptember 07, 2017

None of Rockstar's games appeal to me, but this could be a "win" for the Switch as a platform.

Maybe this was just the project they had going at the time, so it made sense to lump the switch in here instead of rolling up some entirely new development effort?

nickmitchSeptember 07, 2017

The lead in this game has some "morally ambiguous" aspects to him.  Sorry, that may be a light spoiler.

Anyway, I think this is a good get for the Switch, but I don't think this game is good enough for me to double dip.

KeyBillySeptember 07, 2017

L.A. Noire sometimes felt more like an experiment than a game, but it was fun to drive around old L.A. and the odd nature of the game makes it worth playing through.  There are some awful elements, including the over-the-top ending that kinda spoiled the drama for me, but there are also many memorable set pieces.  With that said, it has zero replay value, so I am not interested in buying it again.

Ian SaneSeptember 07, 2017

Quote from: Adrock

I figure Rockstar felt LA Noire was the best choice since the Switch version will launch at the same time as the PS4 and Xbox One versions. That way, Rockstar avoids the late-port conundrum. Makes sense though people double dipping with Switch ports seems due to the portable aspect so perhaps it didn't matter which game Rockstar picked.

I didn't realize there were versions of the other systems as well.  It's probably just Rockstar going with the current game they're working on then.  Which is good!  If they just start including the Switch in with their multiplatform plans then Nintendo's third party support will improve significantly.

LemonadeSeptember 07, 2017

I played it on 360 a few years ago and loved it. I will buy it for Switch if its cheap enough.

StratosSeptember 07, 2017

How would this compare to The Godfather: Blackhand Edition? I much prefer my open world sandbox games when they are themed and in different time periods over the generic GTA modern era feel.

ShyGuySeptember 07, 2017

I played a little bit of this back in the day. It seemed much, much more linear than Godfather

Quote from: Ian

Though I could see them doing the general stereotype about Nintendo systems and assuming that this one, since you play a cop and thus a clear "good guy", is more suitable for the Nintendo audience than the morally ambiguous characters of their other games.

Like most Rockstar games, there's a lot of moral ambiguity in L.A. Noire.

Quote from: ShyGuy

I played a little bit of this back in the day. It seemed much, much more linear than Godfather

It's worth noting.  This game is a narrative/investigation story-driven game first and foremost.  This is not a GTA clone.  You'll occasionally have to travel a map to go from point A to B, or have a shootout or chase, but this game is primarily about investigating crime scenes, interrogating suspects, and driving the story forward.


I remember back when this game was coming out they were really proud of the facial cues the characters gave during the interrogation you were supposed to use to tell if someone was lying or being honest.  It's an interesting game to play if you know what you're getting into and level expectations accordingly.

ThePermSeptember 09, 2017

Quote from: Ian

This is an odd choice on the part of Rockstar.  Regarding their open world games from the time period this is generally regarded as the weakest behind GTA and Red Dead Redemption.  They've kind of picked the one with the least sales potential which is annoying if this is to be any sort of "test" for the Switch.

Though I could see them doing the general stereotype about Nintendo systems and assuming that this one, since you play a cop and thus a clear "good guy", is more suitable for the Nintendo audience than the morally ambiguous characters of their other games.

I think Rockstar wants GTAV on Switch, but can't justify the cost of porting the game.

Rockstar already has a budget to re-release the game on Next Gen Systems. So using LA Noire as practice might lead Rockstar to port GTAV. The game might significantly lower the budget for a GTAV port. It's incemental budget control from my perspective.

If GTAV comes out it's portable GTAV  which will cause systems to fly off the shelf.

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