I first played LA Noire back on the PS3. I remember getting it the day it released back in May 2011 and being amazed at the facial tech Rockstar used. The game basically fried my launch PS3 system, which I instantly ran out and replaced so I could play more. Fast forward 8 years and it still looks brilliant in VR. I had concerns that facial expressions wouldn’t be as clear inside the headset leading to confusion when interrogating suspects, but that isn’t the case at all.
Unfortunately not all of the detail matches the characters faces. Upon exploring the open world you will find some pretty rough textures and areas that lack detail, but Rockstar have made sure all the story based locations look great. These locations are all well populated with items as well. While looking for clues to assist your investigation you will find a number of red herrings like tools, flyers, bottles, pictures and more. These are all as well detailed as the actual clues, forcing you to properly search.
Controls have also been adapted for PSVR using the Move controllers, which I should note are required to play. You have three different movement options, including free move which if given the option I always go with. Holding down the move button on the left stick moves you forward and square and triangle on the right stick allow you to turn. Another quality of life addition is circle on the right stick which allows you to quick turn 180°. The free roam movement is up there with the best I have seen on the PSVR headset.
As with the original release back in 2011, you don’t just spend all your time investigating murders. There are plenty of criminals to apprehend and they don’t always surrender easily. This allows the gameplay to expand into car chases, on foot chases, shootouts and fist fights. The really impressive thing is that all aspects are implemented really well.
The first time you step into a car during the tutorial the game shows you just how much detail they have put in to the driving. You need to turn the engine on with a key, you can call dispatch on your radio, you can even turn the siren on or roll your window down. When you are ready to begin driving you engage the wheel with both move triggers. This grips the wheel allowing you to accelerate with the right trigger and break with the left while rotating the imaginary steering wheel in front of you. I have to say while it may sound a little awkward it works better than I could have hoped and I was swinging around corners at top speed in minutes! When just driving to the next story location you can even pull a handle on the primitive sat nav (an in car mini map) to fast travel directly to your objective.
Anyone who has shot a gun in VR before will feel right at home with the shooting mechanics. To cut down on any annoyances in loading ammo you simply clench your empty fist while holding a gun and ammo will spawn in your hand ready to load into your gun. Shotguns also allow for the extra hand to be used for stability which increases accuracy. Chasing after perps is fun and feels quite exhilarating thanks to a sprint button allowing for fast movement. This is something that is often omitted due to motion sickness concerns but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fist fights may be the most basic part of the gameplay experience but even here you can feel your punches landing and while simply timing the duck button will avoid all enemy shots you can spice things up by manually blocking with your hands if you desire.
Back to investigations. The game has a tutorial and seven of the missions from the main game. The tutorial is based on the patrol case Warrants Outstanding and from there you take on Upon Reflection (Patrol), Armed and Dangerous (Patrol), Buyer Beware (Patrol), The Consul’s Car (Traffic), The Silk Stocking Murder (Homicide), Reefer Madness (Vice) and finally A Different Kind of War (Arson). It’s a good mix and will have you putting all your skills to the test in the roughly five hour run time.
Trophies as always are a good way to extend play time and Rockstar have compiled not only a good varied list, but one that isn’t too difficult for once! A few different collectibles, completing a mission while finding every single clue and even misc objectives like throwing your hat on the hat rack in your office are just a few of the things you will be doing en route to the platinum trophy.
Overall I think Rockstar have done a superb job with the truncated VR version of the classic 2011 game. Plenty of love has been put in to making this an excellent virtual reality experience. There is a lot going on in the game and it is a real credit to the team that none of it is lacking. The price point is superb at £24.99 as well. It’s difficult to play LA Noire VR Case Files and not begin to daydream about the possibilities of a GTA or Red Dead game in the future. Technology isn’t quite there yet, but it will be soon and if we ever get such an experience you can hook that directly into my veins, because I am all in!
-VDZE
A review code for this product was kindly provided by the publisher. Reviewed on PS4 Slim.
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