I’ve been forced by a man wearing a fedora and holding a Colt .45, to write an article ranking all twenty-six cases in L.A. Noire, from ok to best. L.A. Noire isn’t home to any bad cases, but like the stars of Hollywood. Some shine brighter than others.
26. Armed and Dangerous
"Well you picked the right place Cole: a city that needed an honest cop like a thirsty man needed water.” Herschel Biggs.
Like the unathletic kid at school, someone’s got to come last. This case isn’t bad, but it has none of the gaming mechanics that make L.A. Noire great.
The case consists of Cole and his partner Ralph being called to a nearby bank to help with some renovations. I’m joking, the banks being robbed by (you guessed it) armed robbers. Cole and Ralph then proceed to eliminate said robbers.
The best part about this mission is Herschel’s smooth as a marble floor opening monologue and your first-time use of the pump action shotgun. Seriously, who doesn’t love a shotgun. Well I guess those bank robbers might have disliked it a tad.
Score: 55/100.
25. Warrants Outstanding
“Phelps - a good guy, wound way too tight. And Kelso - a quiet man who could never walk away from a fight." Herschel Biggs.
Another case that is seriously lacking in the detective department, but for me this ranks higher. Chasing Wendell Bowers down is pretty exhilarating and the scream that Cole screeches out, after getting closed lined, never fails to make me wince.
The mission does a good job of fuelling your animosity towards Bowers. He stomps on you as you’re climbing a drain pipe and the close line is a thing of pure savagery.
So when you ultimately square off against Bowers in a mano e mano battle of fisticuffs. You take great pleasure in dishing out a nice cold plate of vengeance with Cole’s fluid, crisp boxing.
Score: 58/100.
24. The Consul’s Car
Gotcha, you thought I was going to list all the Patrol cases at the bottom, didn’t you, admit it. ‘The Consul’s Car’ isn’t a particularly interesting or engaging case. Cole and his partner Stefan Bekowsky, are tasked with investigating an abandoned car that has been stripped of certain particulars.
The only interesting interview is with the man, the myth, the meme, Oswald Jacobs. Whose fascial expressions have become the epitome of L.A. Noires impressive motion capture.
For me, the highlight of this case is the morally corrupt character of Juan Francisco Valdez. His infatuated interest prompts an enraged Gabriel Del Gado to steal and strip the consul’s vehicle.
However, despite a recorded history of abusing young boys. Valdez’s diplomatic immunity means that he escapes any potential repercussions. The glamourous mask of L.A. once again slips and we glimpse the ugliness it hides.
Score: 60/100.
23. Buyer Beware
"For every cop, there's the case that makes you: gives you that leg up, gets you recognized as the shining new star on the squad.” Herschel Biggs.
A man is murdered in front of a jewellery store, shot five times and left to die on the street. What I liked about this case is the motive for murder. The murdered man Everett Gage, dished out his fair share of antisemitic remarks to jewellery store owner Edgar Kalou.
This bubbling pot of discriminatory insults reached its boiling point. When Gage started harassing Kalou whilst he was trying to sell a pair of pearl earrings. Kalou, In an impulsive rage, shot and killed Gage.
This is the first case where you’re tasked with obtaining a confession. You feel the weight on your shoulders and it’s incredibly satisfying pushing Kalou’s buttons and getting him to confess.
What lets this case down from ranking higher on the list, is that it holds the players hand way too much. You end up feeling as though you didn’t really earn the confession.
Score: 62/100.
22. Upon Reflection
“You never know whether the guy you're talking to is on the pad or whether it's your partner or maybe even the Watch Commander. So who do you trust, Cole? I made up my mind a long time ago." Herschel Biggs.
The first case of the game. A man has been shot dead in an alley. Cole and Ralph conduct an evidence search for the missing gun. Cole finds said gun and uses his initiative and intuition to track down the owner of the gun, Errol Schroeder.
After Cole bests Schroeder in unarmed combat, he discovers a book containing the name of one of the homicide detectives, Floyd Rose. Cole is asked by his partner to call it in and leave further investigation.
This is our first look into the corrupt, seedy world of L.A. The opening monologue, which I love, lets the player know that corruption is rife in the police department and the only person you can really trust is yourself.
I think this a good opening mission, it’s fairly simple in plot and execution, but it serves as a tasty starter to the main dish.
Score: 64/100.
21. The Gas Man
This is the first case you work on the Arson desk. A family by the name of Steffens has had their home burnt to the ground; a faulty water heater seems to be the cause. Later that day, the Sawyer’s family home is also reduced to ashes, unfortunately, the Sawyer family perishes in the fire.
Suspicion arises when it is revealed that both the Steffens and Sawyer families won competition tickets for a trip away. This competition was run by the Gulliver’s Travel Agency.
I like this case a lot, the charred remains of the Sawyer family is a grisly sight to behold. The combination of the travel agency tickets and the Suburban Redevelopment fund looking to buy up property, thicken the plot considerably.
The reason this case is ranked lower than perhaps it should be, is I detest the circumstances that Cole finds himself. He’s up for a board review, his wife is filing for divorce on the grounds of adultery and he’s been demoted to the Arson desk.
Is Cole to blame for everything that is happening to him, absolutely. But the whole vibe of the mission is one of melancholia. Before, I felt on top of the world playing as Cole Phelps. Now he’s Icarus, plummeting to his inevitable destruction.
Score: 65/100.
20. Reefer Madness
"Doesn't anyone eat regular meals anymore? Junkies feeding on popcorn and grasshoppers living on soup." Roy Earle.
My least favourite of the Vice cases. Cole and his Vice partner Roy Earle receive a tip from Freddie Calhoun. Who is looking to leave town and hopes the tip off will provide the necessary funds.
Cole and Earle then proceed to uncover a large cannabis ring, which was been distributed by Parnell’s Soup Company. Later it is revealed that the factory is run by crime boss Victor Sanders. However, Sanders is under the protection of Vice Lieutenant Colmyer.
L.A. Noire is a game that tells many different stories. However, the most important story is that of the morphine and who is distributing it all over L.A. The Vice desk delves into this main theme of the game, but with Reefer Madness, the attention is taken away.
I think it’s a solid case that once again highlights the corruption of the LAPD. But it is without doubt the weakest of the Vice cases.
Score: 66/100.
19. The Set Up
"I set her up, just like she set me up." Albert Hammond.
Cole and Earle attend a boxing match, where one of the boxers, Albert Hammond is supposed to take a dive. Hammond has a change of heart and proceeds to knock his opponent out and flee the area.
Roy Earle loses money, but more importantly so does Mickey Cohen, a notorious L.A. gangster. The race is on to see who can get to Hammond first. Cole and Earle end up finding Hammond at a theatre, where Cole kills Hammonds manager who is attempting to murder him.
Cole allows Hammond to flee the scene with the winnings he earnt betting on himself.
The plot of this case is simple. The tailing of Candy Edwards is pretty tedious, though the music during the sequence is one of the best tracks of the game. I’m a huge combat sports fan, so the boxing premise appealed to me. I also liked that Cole let Hammond go.
Hammond, like Cole, is a former U.S. Marine and the ghosts of Cole’s past still haunt him. These ghosts whispered in Cole’s ear and convinced him to put aside the law, for old demons’ sake.
Score: 67/100.
18. A Walk in Elysian Fields
"Stay away from Elysian Fields." Roy Earle.
This Arson case follows on from The Gas Man. The case starts with another house fire, with the Morelli family perishing in the blaze. The case then takes a creepy turn when Cole is shown the Morelli family gathered together in prayer.
It is revealed that the family died from gas inhalation, thus revealing that the family were all moved by the arsonist after they had died. Cole believes all the house fires are linked and that the person responsible expects the houses to be empty. His arranging of the Morelli family shows his remorse.
There are multiple links to Elysian Fields, which results in Cole and Biggs paying the founder and CEO of the company, Leland Monroe, a visit. Monroe assures them that everything is in order. However, later that evening at the Blue Room, Roy Earle warns Cole to leave Elysian Fields alone.
I enjoyed this case a lot more than The Gas Man. The unnerving scene with the Morelli family and the ruthless, shady businessman Leland Monroe. All added substance and intrigue that The Gas Man lacked.
I also particularly liked the Blue Room scene between Cole and Earle. The Blue Room is a gorgeous setting, add on top the animosity between the two former partners and it steals the case.
Score: 70/100.
17. The Studio Secretary Murder
Now, if you’ve been paying attention, you would have gathered that I’m a big fan of the Homicide desk. It took until number seventeen for one of the cases to feature on this list.
The Studio Secretary Murder is the penultimate Homicide case. Cole and his partner Rusty are called to the railyard. A woman, Evelyn Summers, has been found murdered.
Cole and Rusty then question John Ferdinand Jamison, who is revealed to be a necrophiliac. Rusty dishes out a right hand of justice and Jamison is detained.
The case continues with you questioning and interrogating, James Tiernan and Grosvenor McCaffrey. Cole charges the latter with first degree murder and the case is closed.
This is a good case; I liked the repulsive character of Jamison and McCaffrey’s communist affiliations added mystery to him. A criticism that I have is that L.A. Noire doesn’t give enough time to the theme of communism.
My reason for ranking this case lower than the other homicide cases is because by this point you are pretty beaten down. This is the fifth woman you’ve found slain. You know none of the men charged with murder are actually guilty and all you want to do is bring the real killer to justice.
Score: 71/100.
16. A Slip of the Tongue
"Well, some people would say that my cars are a steal... that's a joke, son." Richard Coombs.
Cole and Bekowsky investigate a reported stolen car. It turns out the ‘owner’ bought the car from Coombs Automotive. Upon arriving, you are greeted by the dramatic Richard Coombs. He does his usual salesman spiel and shows Cole the required documents.
The case continues with the interview of James Belasco and a visit to the Western Union Office, where Cole asks the seller of said stolen vehicle, Jean Archer, some probing questions. All of which culminates in uncovering a huge auto fraud racket.
I enjoyed this case a lot, I’ve always had a thing for characters who are salesmen and Richard Coombs doesn’t disappoint. I love how Jean attempts to bribe Cole with seduction, but it’s completely lost on his cold, calculating brain.
There’s an exciting shootout at the end of the case and it’s very satisfying finally nailing the pretentious Gordan Leitvol. Who is using the auto theft ring to pay off his gambling debts.
Score: 72/100.
15. The White Shoe Slaying
Following a thunderous, rainy night. Cole and Rusty are sent to investigate the body of a woman, Theresa Taraldsen, who has been dumped on Signal Hill. An interview with Catherine Barton reveals that a disfigured hobo was seen near the crime scene.
Visits to Superior Laundry Services, the Taraldsen household and Baron’s Bar, leave Cole and Rusty with much to ponder. After apprehending Richard Bates and Interrogating James Jessop, Cole and Rusty make their way to the hobo camp. A scuffle ensues and they arrest the disfigured hobo, Stuart Ackerman.
After interrogating Ackerman, Cole charges him with the murder of Theresa Taraldsen. Case closed.
This case would rank higher on my list, but unfortunately it has an incredibly tedious section where you have to track down a bus. First time players will waste a lot of time trying to find the All American 229.
Apart from this, the case is fantastic. The interview with Mr Taraldsen is one of my favourites of the Homicide desk. Stuart Ackerman is a great character, clearly disturbed and mentally scarred by his time fighting the Japanese. He’s aloof and never gives clear answers. An enigmatic man.
Score: 74/100.
14. House of Sticks
This is the first mission of the game where you play as Jack Kelso. Elsa Lichtmann wants Jack to investigate an insurance settlement worth $20,000, she suspects fraud. For some perspective that’s $275,000 in today’s money. You have to love inflation.
Following an interview with Elsa, Jack is asked by his boss, Curtis Benson, to step into his office for a chat. Guess where this is going. Benson tells Jack to disregard Elsa’s suspicion concerning insurance fraud.
Naturally, this makes Jack a bit dubious and he decides to pay Elysian fields a visit. Here he finds some damning evidence, gets into a fist fight with a foreman and then is chased by said foreman in a bulldozer. Hairy stuff.
In short, Jack finds a film exposing the devious plans the higher ups have for L.A. and three thugs are sent by Leland Monroe to eliminate Jack. However, Jack manages to escape and makes his way to Elsa’s home.
Initially I found this mission quite jarring, the switch to playing as Jack Kelso took me by surprise. Jack and Cole have a history of animosity towards each other and I felt in some way as though I was betraying Cole.
But I soon grew to like Jack’s style, intelligence and capable nature. The mission takes the overarching plot to a new level and leaves me wanting more.
Score: 75/100.
13. Nicholson Electroplating
A mushroom cloud bursts into the sky, Cole and Biggs race to the site of the explosion. After putting down two armed looters, Cole and Biggs approach Ray Pinker, who alleviates concerns that a Hydrogen bomb was dropped by the Soviet Union.
Apparently it was an industrial accident, Cole investigates the area and interviews Fred Nicholson, who is the owner of Nicholson Electroplating. A briefcase is found containing espionage equipment belonging to Tomoko Okamoto.
This is a complex case, so I’ll summarise as best I can. Okamoto was a spy, working alongside Harold McLellan, who was looking to sell the Aluminium polishing process to aircraft manufacturer Howard Hughes.
The explosion was indeed an accident, caused by linseed oil, which sparked a chemical reaction. The explosion killed Okamoto and McLellan. Hughes Aircraft head of security, Vernon Mapes, burns down McLellan’s home to destroy the evidence of the two of them conspiring together. The case concludes with a shootout in which Mapes is shot and killed.
Initially I wasn’t a fan of this case. I knew I was coming to the end of the game and I was eager for the grand finale. However, I came to realise that this case was a beautiful bag of multiple agendas and bond esque espionage.
Score. 77/100.
12. The Black Caesar
"Two men dead on US Army issue morphine. That makes it an Ad Vice case. Beat it!" Archie Colmyer.
Two dead drug addicts are found in a not so lavish apartment. Cole and Earle are sent to investigate. A betting slip, a radio frequency and multiple popcorn cups with morphine attached to the bottom, all point to the organised distribution of morphine.
After a fistfight with Fleetwood Morgan, Cole investigates Morgan’s food hut and finds more betting slips, a ticket for the Blue Room and a stash of US Army surplus morphine. After using the radio frequency, Cole finds an even bigger stash in the office of Jermain Jones.
More stashes are found at a bookies run by Merlon Ottie, as well as a lead for Ramez removals. It’s discovered that Polar Bear Ice Co. is storing the morphine in large blocks of ice and then delivering them. The morphine is seized, and Lenny Finkelstein, the man running the operation, is shot and killed.
This is the first Vice case and even though Roy Earle is a pretty despicable human being. He is highly entertaining and I enjoyed the awkwardness between Earle and Cole. The highlight of this case was Jermain Jones lying to my face and then inputting the radio frequency that reveals a huge stash of cannabis, morphine and money. Very satisfying indeed.
Score: 79/100.
11. The Driver’s Seat
"And now, some housekeeping. A warm Central Division welcome for Detective Cole Phelps." Gordon Leary.
So near yet so far to making the top ten. It was a hard choice between The Drive’s Seat and A Polite Invitation, but the latter just edged it.
Cole and Bekowsky are sent to investigate an abandoned car. The driver’s seat is covered in blood and there are multiple personal effects belonging to a Mr Adrian Black.
At the Black residence, it appears a part is missing from the water heater, the same part found in the abandoned car and signs of marriage issues. An interview with Margaret Black confirms these issues and leads to a bar called Cavanagh’s.
After an interview, Cole and Bekowsky tail Frank Morgan to his apartment, where they discover Adrian Black and apprehend him after a short chase.
This case is a great introduction to the Traffic desk. I love that Adrian Black bought and murdered a pig in order to fake his own death, so that he could run off with the woman he was having an affair with.
Next time Adrian, don’t leave the receipt for the pig in the car. Overall a great case and one of the most memorable of the game.
Score: 82/100.
10. A Polite Invitation
"Come around to my place at nine, 5164 Santa Monica Boulevard. You'll come?" Leland Monroe.
Leonard Petersen (Assistant DA) offers Jack a job as an investigator for the District Attorney's Office. Wanting to help sponge out the corruption in the city, Jack agrees.
He pays his former boss Curtis Benson a visit. After subduing Benson and searching his apartment for clues, Jack then interviews Benson and learns more about the Suburban Redevelopment fund.
Jack visits the California Fire and Life Building, performs advanced mathematics to find a book in the Hall of Records and engages in a shootout. Not a bad days work.
After this Leland Monroe rings Jack and invites him over to his mansion for a civilised discussion. Jack storms the mansion with several former marine buddies and wounds Monroe in the leg. A search of his office produces all the evidence Jack needs.
This case is a great combination of investigative work and adrenaline fuelled shootouts. L.A. Noire is not a game about shootouts and car chases, though they do feature throughout the story. For me, the beauty of the game lies in its detailed subtlety.
But after Monroe sends his goons to dispose of Jack. Storming Monroe’s mansion and dishing out sweet revenge is arguably one of the best moments of the game.
Score: 83/100.
9. Manifest Destiny
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do... partner." Roy Earle.
This is a very long case, with a lot of moving parts, so I’ll try to keep this summary brief. Cole and Earle pay visits to the 111 Club and the Blue Room in order to learn more about the morphine. Cole interviews Elsa and then follows her home and goes up to her apartment, for purely investigative purposes.
Following this, Cole and Earle go to the Mocambo club to question Mickey Cohen. The L.A. gangster is surprisingly, very unhelpful. Reports of a bus shooting whisk Cole and Earle away and after neutralising Cohen’s gunman, you interview former marine Felix Alvarro.
Following this, you track down and interview Jack Kelso. This, along with some information provided to Cole earlier by detective Harold Caldwell, confirms that the morphine was stolen from the SS Coolridge by members of Cole’s old marine unit.
It is revealed that Cohen has put a hit out on all the marines who partook in the heist. Resulting in shootouts at Robert’s Diner, Hollywood Post Office, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the ‘Meeting Place’.
I wasn’t exaggerating when I said this mission is long. This all culminates in an interview with Courtney Sheldon, which produces very little and Cole being stabbed in the back by Roy Earle, figuratively.
Now I know I said that L.A. Noire is about the slower side of gaming. But this case is iconic and even though it’s a long one, It doesn’t feel like it, as you rush from one scene of chaos to the other. The bus getting absolutely sprayed by Cohen’s gunman wielding a BAR, is a spectacle to behold.
Score: 84/100.
8. The Silk Stocking Murder
"Another naked woman, sir?" Cole Phelps.
A woman, who has been brutally murdered, is found in an alleyway. Cole and Rusty investigate, with Cole following a bloody bread crumb trail that leads to various clues. The woman’s name, Antonia Maldonado.
Searches of Antonia’s residence and the residence of her husband, Angel Maldonado, reveal numerous clues. A cryptic poem is sent to the Central Police Station and Cole conducts an interview with Angel. Confirming their estranged marriage and that Antonia was going to serve Angel divorce papers.
Cole and Rusty investigate the El Dorado bar and Just Picked Fruit Market. Where they find incriminating evidence that puts fruit seller Clem Feeney behind bars.
A great Homicide case, the cryptic poem reveals that someone is playing the police department for fools and confirms Cole’s suspicions that all the cases are linked.
The bloody trail that leads to several clues is fantastic , it’s creepy and you’re left wondering what horrors await you down the bread crumb trail.
Score: 86/100.
7. The Quarter Moon Murders
The final case of the Homicide desk and boy is it a good one.
A letter and excerpt from a poem by Shelley are sent to the Central Police Station by the B.D. killer. Cole uses his humungous brain to figure out that the excerpt is a clue to a famous landmark in L.A.
Cole and Rusty then run around like two crazed chickens, finding personal effects belonging to all the victims at various L.A. landmarks. This culminates in a lovely trip to a church named Christ Crown of Thorns.
Here they find the real killer, Garret Mason and a shootout ensues. Cole chases Mason through the catacombs and finally puts Mason down, like the sick animal he is.
I love this mission, the Westlake Tar Pits, the rain beating down as you drive nervously to the church. The realisation that you’ve met Mason before and the discovery of his torture room.
A very satisfying case, which is until you’re told that Mason is the half-brother of a high ranking government official and the whole thing will have to be brushed under the rug. Well poo.
Score: 88/100.
6. The Naked City
"I saw her on the slab. So perfect. Looked like she was made of porcelain. She really made an impression on me." Lieutenant Archie Colmyer.
Julia Randall, a glamorous fashion model, is found dead in her bathtub. Initial thoughts are suicide. However, the coroner is not convinced and Cole and Earle are tasked with finding out how deep the rabbit hole really goes.
After a lengthy investigation, it is revealed that Julia Randall was using her beauty to convince various men to steal wealthy items from wealthy people. Henry Arnett didn’t want to partake any longer and Julia was blackmailing him.
Arnett hired two men to murder Julia and to make it seem like suicide from a morphine overdose.
I can’t help but think of Marilyn Monroe whenever I play this case. A beautiful blonde, a fatal ‘overdose’. The saying ‘Live Fast. Die Young’ has never been a truer sentiment in the world of the beautiful and the rich.
I’m drawn to tragic stories, and tragedy is a theme that is captured so well in L.A. Noire. The Naked City and Julia Randall, are the cherries on the L.A. Noire tragic cake.
Score: 89/100.
5. A Marriage Made in Heaven
Lester Pattison is the victim of a hit and run incident. However, after several interviews, a visit to the Pattison residence and the eventual capture of the hit and run culprit William Shelton. It is revealed that the deceased man was stabbed fatally before the car hit him.
Cole and Bekowsky eventually discover that Pattison’s wife Lorna conspired with bar owner Leroy Sabo to murder her husband. Sabo’s motive was to acquire Pattison’s life insurance so he could open another bar.
In the ensuing chaos, Sabo shoots Lorna dead, and Cole chases him down and arrests him.
One of the most memorable of the Traffic cases, the twist that Pattison was stabbed before being hit by the car is a genius move in storytelling. It’s a tale of use and abuse. Also chasing down Shelton is one of the better car chases of the game.
Score: 90/100.
4. The Red Lipstick Murder
"You're in the major leagues now, sonny." James Donnelly.
The body of a woman, Celine Henry, is discovered on a hill called The Moors. The body has been stripped naked and mutilated. Cole and Rusty are sent to investigate.
After a trip to The Bamba Club, Celine and Jacob Henry’s residences as well as interviews with Dick McColl and Jacob Henry. Cole and Rusty proceed to the apartment of one Alonzo Mendez.
Incriminating evidence is found at Mendez’s apartment and when he arrives, Cole and Rusty chase him down and arrest him. Case Closed.
The opening cinematic of the murderer beating Celine Henry to death under a full moon is absolutely gorgeous. In a non-sadistic way of course. Rockstar really nailed the music for the Homicide desk and the creepy tune that plays during this scene, makes it even eerier.
This case got me completely hooked and absorbed in the Homicide desk. But it’s not the best Homicide case, that honour goes to.
Score: 92/100.
3. The Golden Butterfly
"Mommy always wore her Golden Butterfly." Michelle Moller.
This is the case where you realise that the man you arrested in The Red Lipstick Murder is probably innocent. And you know that the man you’re going to put away this time, will probably be innocent too. These murders are the work of a serial killer.
Deidre Moller’s body has been dumped on a hill. The case involves interviewing Hugo Moller, which results in him being taken into custody. A chat with the coroner at the Central Morgue, and the arrest of an alleged child sex offender, Eli Rooney. Cole is then tasked with either charging Moller or Rooney for the murder.
My favourite Homicide case, what makes this case for me is Eli Rooney’s character. The crime scene is very similar to the other cases, the interview with Hugo Moller is interesting but not the best, but man, Eli Rooney is a great character.
I love how he unashamedly admits that he has a thing for minors. Rooney knows what kind of man he is and he’s accepted that. Also the man’s voice is like melted butter, I could listen to him recite the Yellow pages. This case, in the words of Rooney himself is “cool as you like”.
Score: 94/100.
2. The Fallen Idol
"This is a sick town, Detective. The truth is my husband likes them young." Gloria Bishop.
This is the last Traffic case, the Hollywood case as I like to call it. An aging, fading actress, June Ballard, a naïve young girl chasing the limelight, Jessica Hamilton, a movie producer with a dark side, Mark Bishop and a prop maker and pervert, Marlon Hopgood. What a cast.
In short June Ballard was fired from a movie role, she then used her under aged niece, Jessica Ballard to blackmail Mark Bishop into giving her the part back. Knowing that Bishop likes younger girls, the whole act was filmed. Bishop then attempts to murder both June and Jessica.
In response, June gets her gangster husband, Guy McAfee, to put a hit out on Bishop. Cole and Bekowsky, take down the hitmen and arrest Bishop. Oh and nothing happens to the pervert Hopgood, as he is a Vice informant. Naturally.
This case has got it all, awkward interviews, grandiose film sets, hidden areas, creepy props and an epic shootout to cap it all off.
Score: 96/100.
1. A Different Kind of War
And the number one spot goes to, A Different Kind of War. The last case of the game and the last case on my list. Some things are meant to be.
The ending to this case is heartbreaking. Ira, a former marine in Cole’s unit and the man responsible for burning down the houses. Has taken Elsa hostage. Cole and Jack make their way to Ira and arguably the best cut scene of the entire game plays out.
I really disliked Cole for not recognising Ira, especially when it is revealed that Cole (unknowingly) ordered Ira to burn a cave with his flamethrower. Inside the cave was a civilian hospital. Ira, through the trauma of war, has lost his mind. Ira was manipulated by Dr. Fontane to burn down the houses for the Suburban Redevelopment Fund.
Cole takes Elsa away and Jack puts Ira out of his misery.
All of this is happening in the water tunnels. Cole desperately saves Elsa and Jack, as the oncoming water rushes towards him. But it’s too late for Cole and he is swept away. This is Cole’s heroic act of the game and he somewhat redeems himself for his past mistakes.
Score: 98/100. Because Nothing’s Perfect.
So there it is, my ranking of all twenty six cases of L.A. Noire. I may have lost my sanity writing this list, but I haven’t lost my love for the game. In fact, I think it’s time for a new playthrough.
