Best Games To Play If You Loved LA Noir

Highlights

• Games like
  Danganronpa
  ,
  AI: The Somnium Files
  , and
  Pentiment
  offer similar crime-solving and detective experiences to
  L.A. Noire
  .
• The
  Sherlock Holme
  s game series, including
  Sherlock Holmes Chapter One
  , provides a captivating and immersive detective experience.
• Heavy Rain
  and
  Disco Elysium
  offer complex narratives and decision-making gameplay, appealing to fans of
  L.A. Noire
  ‘s storytelling style.

The brilliant world of L.A. Noire shaped an entire generation of gamers all around the world. The graphics and design efforts that went into creating the facial movements of characters alone were revolutionary for its time. But as many years have gone by since its release, games have gotten more and more evolved throughout the years.

While nothing can bring back the feeling of playing with the good old L.A. Noire, some games get considerably close to it. Games that involve making choices that revolve around crimes and detective work are highly sought-after, and fans everywhere are trying to find the next best thing. Thankfully, there are many games like L.A. Noire for those missing the murder, arson, scotch, and crime-filled fifties.

Updated on May 8, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: L.A. Noire is one of the most immersive detective video games players can check out, with this title being full to the brim with a ton of unique encounters that make it a blast to play through. While the game may feature some dated design aspects that can make it slightly hard to get through (with the once-revolutionary facial animations being comical in some instances), there’s no denying that L.A. Noire’s wealth of interesting cases, fun gameplay variety, and a compelling story make it worth checking out for any fan of unique detective video games. There are many fun detective games in the same vein as L.A. Noire that players can check out if they want to appreciate this gameplay in its many forms.

19 Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy)

An Interactive Adventure That Focuses On Uncovering A Supernatural Mystery

David Cage may be a problematic figure in the gaming community for many reasons, but there’s no denying that his games have something unique and alluring that makes them a blast to play through, even if the narratives don’t make a lot of sense. If nothing else, a playthrough of a Quantic Dream game is bound to be engaging in its own way, even if the reasons for the same aren’t what the developer intended.

A great example of this is Indigo Prophecy, also known as Fahrenheit. The game features a compelling story that can venture into the nonsensical at times but doesn’t get too egregious. Players have to uncover a mystery while ensuring that their sanity remains intact, making it imperative for them to go through certain sequences as smoothly as possible to ensure that their acts are bearing fruit.

18 Mafia 3

A Compelling Story About Revenge Told In The Style Of A Documentary

The Mafia series has always boasted excellent storytelling chops, something that L.A. Noire is also known for. Despite stumbling on the gameplay side of things, Mafia 3‘s immaculate story is a blast to play through and one of the highlights of an otherwise forgettable experience that disappointed many fans of the genre.

Mafia 3 can be fun when things click, and players who don’t mind the repetition in the open world will like a lot of what the game brings to the table. The story is told like a documentary, which is pretty engaging in its own way and does a great job of letting players sit back and enjoy the ride before playing through Lincoln’s story in its entirety.

17 Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy

Documents The Modern Ace Attorney Story With All Its Investigative And Courtroom Shenanigans

• 	Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney	Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies	Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit Of Justice
  Platform(s)	iOS, Android, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS	iOS, Android, Nintendo 3DS	Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android, Nintendo 3DS
  Released	2008-02-19	2013-10-24	2016-06-09
  Developer(s)	Capcom	Capcom	Capcom
  Genre(s)	Visual Novel, Adventure	Visual Novel, Adventure	Visual Novel, Science Fiction

The announcement of the Apollo Justice trilogy was celebrated by many fans of the genre. The three games in this series are all pretty great in their own right, even if some people feel that Apollo Justice changes a few things and introduces boring cases that can be harder to get through.

The best game in the series is undoubtedly Spirit of Justice, a game that develops Apollo’s character quite a bit and has some unique moments that fans of the series will absolutely adore. It combines the best of Ace Attorney‘s past and future to make for a great time that fans can’t get enough of.

16 Judgment

An RGG Game With Detective Elements

A spinoff of the Yakuza series with a new protagonist at the helm, Judgment players control a detective named Takayuki Yagami who’s hot on the heels of a serial killer. The investigation sections can be slightly rough at times but still do a great job of letting players solve cases and follow up on leads.

Of course, the best parts of this game are the high-budget cutscenes and a combat system that’s as engaging and fast-paced as it gets. Judgment is a perfect recommendation for fans of L.A. Noire who want to check out a game with better and more engaging hand-to-hand combat.

15 Mafia 2

A Story-Driven Action Game Documenting The Journey Of A Mafioso In America During The The World War

The Mafia trilogy features some of the best video games that fans can check out. The stories in all three games are a blast, with the second game a personal favorite for many fans who’ve been lucky enough to experience these masterful open-world titles for themselves.

The story of Vito Scaletta, who comes back from war to use his skills to become a high-ranking member of the mafia, makes for a great time. Mafia 2‘s open world may not be that reactive, but the vintage vibes that are rife throughout the game will make players reminisce about L.A. Noire in more ways than one, even if the game lacks any investigative elements.

14 The Danganronpa Series

Detective Work Combined With Intense Class Trials And Brief Moments Of Levity

Danganronpa is one of the weirdest and most entertaining mystery games that fans can check out if they love this genre. All three games focus on a bunch of high schoolers with ultimate talents who end up being trapped in a ruthless killing game that is about as twisted as most people would expect.

All three games in the series are pretty great in their own right, although the final title’s ending elicited a ton of mixed reception from fans. Regardless, there’s no denying that Danganronpa‘s cases are quite brilliant, with the Class Trials being some of the most engaging segments in these games.

13 AI: The Somnium Files

A Detective Game Based In A Futuristic Version Of Tokyo

A unique detective game that focuses on a futuristic depiction of Tokyo, the concept present in AI: The Somnium Files is pretty intriguing indeed. This game boasts a wealth of interesting characters and features a unique mechanic where players enter the memories of certain PoIs to figure out the mystery behind a serial killer on the loose.

The plot is one of this game’s strongest points. AI: The Somnium Files may not be a game for everyone, but it’s still worth checking out for fans of unique mystery games that will keep them hooked from start to end.

12 Pentiment

A Unique Mystery Game Spanning Multiple Generations

Pentiment is a unique mystery game that spans multiple generations and has multiple answers to its central mystery. While this approach was met with a divisive reception, there’s no denying that Obsidian’s attempt at such a unique title paid dividends in every way, with fans loving the central narrative and how it seamlessly connected several generations.

It helped that Pentiment‘s visual design was striking and brilliantly conveyed how times were changing, with each generation feeling quite distinct and memorable. Fans of mystery games who want to experience something new and exciting can’t go wrong with this excellent title that more people should check out for themselves.

11 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

Combines Investigative Work With Catharic Trials In Court

Phoenix Wright is one of the most likable characters in video game history, with no one even imagining that the act of being a lawyer and unraveling a case could be so engaging. Of course, while the series doesn’t portray an accurate depiction of this job, most people don’t care because of how entertaining each case in Ace Attorney actually is.

The trilogy compiles these three legendary games, allowing players to experience the magic of the series with updated visuals as they unravel each case and figure out the true culprit in scintillating court battles. The investigation segments are also pretty riveting, especially with the many unique mini-games added to the mix that keep things interesting.

10 The Wolf Among Us

Control Fabletown’s Sheriff And Solve A Dark Mystery

Given that The Wolf Among Us is a Telltale game, most people shouldn’t expect the investigation segments to be too challenging. Players are gently led through each sequence, and it’s pretty obvious what they will need to interact with to push the story forward. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing — what The Wolf Among Us lacks in detective work is more than made up for with its gritty aesthetic, engrossing narrative, and a great setting that brings characters from regular fairytales into the real world.

The story of Bigby as he uncovers a chilling mystery that threatens to rock Fabletown to its very core makes for a great time in every way. Many fans are thrilled that a sequel is finally coming out for this noir mystery, with the problems that Telltale faced making fans worry if the story would end on a tantalizing cliffhanger. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case, and finally, getting a satisfying conclusion to this story will make this wait pretty worthwhile.

9 Max Payne

A Neo-Noir Action-Adventure With A Detective At The Helm

Although Max Payne has culminated in an action-packed finale, the original games were pretty dark and L.A. Noire-like in terms of their narrative. Players were able to explore Max’s damaged psyche while simultaneously dealing with criminals and other semi-supernatural and psychological dangers.

The real bread-and-butter for the Max Payne games is the inclusion of “Bullet Time,” which slows down projectiles and allows Max to expertly dodge on the battlefield. That said, the story of Max Payne is quite engaging and dark, making it the perfect subject material for those craving something else story-driven.

8 The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter

Uncover A Mystery In A Haunting Game About The Carter Family

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a 2014 horror-adventure video game developed by The Astronauts. The game starts by stating it will not be holding the player’s hand; therefore, everything, including the mechanics, has to be explored while playing the game.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter takes place in an open-world environment, where players have to solve the deaths in the Carter family to piece together the story. The character is also equipped with paranormal abilities, allowing him to recreate events (much like what is seen in Detroit: Become Human). The game also features some side-quest-like additional stories players can uncover on the way.

7 Mafia: Definitive Edition

An Intriguing Story-Driven Game Featuring The Mafia, Set In America’s Past

Although it’s a bit earlier than L.A. Noire in terms of the time period, Mafia: Definitive Edition is perhaps one of the closest games to the detective title in terms of “look and feel.” Featuring the same open-world explorative style, as well as a crime-ridden cityscape, Mafia is a blast for players who are seeking a similar aesthetic.

An “old-school Grand Theft Auto,” Mafia puts players on the other side of the fence, giving them the means to experience life as a criminal rather than a detective looking to clean up the streets. The Definitive Edition is a remake of the original and brings Mafia into the new age with beautifully updated graphics and gameplay.

6 Murdered: Soul Suspect

A Fun Detective Game With An Interesting Protagonist

Murdered: Soul Suspect surprisingly flew under the radar when it was released back in 2014. The game features a stubborn criminal-turned-detective in a dark and spooky town, and right at the beginning of the story, this faulty protagonist is shot and killed.

The story continues to follow the ghostly protagonist trying to solve his murder. While the storyline is a bit scattered, the destination is worth it, as players will likely not be able to wait to get answers to all their questions. Overall, the game is a great experience for detective noir fans, and the story is well put together.

5 Sherlock Holmes Chapter One

Control The Famous Detective Sherlock Holmes In A Fun Detective Adventure

When trying to find the best detective game out there, one name comes to mind: Sherlock Holmes. And there’s bound to be at least one Holmes game that encapsulates the meaning of being a good detective solving seemingly unsolvable crimes. So, after sailing through the L.A. Noire cases with 5 stars and binge-watching Sherlock, those looking for more can hop on over to the Sherlock Holmes game franchise.

The Sherlock Holmes game series developed by Frogwares consists of 12 games in total, one of which was released in November of 2021. While it’s an incredible journey going through all of the classically-inspired Sherlock Holmes games, Chapter One is unique, as it’s the first in the series to be self-published by Frogwares. It’s also the first open-world game in the franchise, exploring the “origin story” of Sherlock Holmes as he investigates a mystery in his family’s home.

4 Detroit: Become Human

Involves Detective Work Carried Out By An Android In An Intriguing Narrative About What It Means To Be Human

Detroit: Become Human is a highly complex game with underlying political, social, and even psychological elements embracing the incredibly well-written storyline. The reason it can be recommended for L.A. Noire fans is the crime aspect of the storyline. Like the hero of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, the detective in Detroit can also recreate events, helping him solve crimes.

Spiced with amazing gameplay and plot, this is a perfect game for L.A. Noire fans who are craving more content and a mind-blowing experience. The game runs on three storylines, each of them representing a different side of the story. One of these is played as a detective solving a series of crimes in exciting ways.

3 Backbone

A Great Detective Game Where The Protagonist’s Past Is Also A Mystery

Backbone is an homage to games like L.A. Noire and Disco Elysium. Ever since the first trailer for the game launched, fans of the games mentioned earlier have been eagerly waiting for the chance to experience this unique world firsthand. Just like the most successful detective game, Backbone features a less-than-perfect, broken protagonist.

The game kickstarts with a murder, a mystery to be solved, and throughout the gameplay, players must also uncover the protagonist’s past and other side stories in dystopian Vancouver. The gameplay is smooth, the plot is incredibly well-written, and the characters are very colorful. For fans of L.A. Noire, it’s possibly the best game to dive into.

2 Heavy Rain

A Thrilling Mystery Game Where Players Move Heaven And Earth To Find And Save Shaun

Heavy Rain is an interactive drama-action game in which players control four different characters. Much like Detroit: Become Human, it revolves around a branching storyline in which each character may die depending on the player’s decision-making.

The script is incredibly well-written, and the plot is super satisfying. It’s also one of the few games in which the player’s decisions truly matter in the bigger picture. The gameplay is smooth and somewhat challenging (in the best way possible), and the underlying story of the serial murderer called the “Origami Killer” is very enticing.

1 Disco Elysium

One Of The Best Fusions Of A Detective Game And The CRPG Genre

The almost too-realistic reality of human nature shines through in this dark, somewhat abstract game. In a world where people must be careful how they balance their job, their lives, and even various drugs on the market, Disco Elysium paints a realistic picture of a faulty hero, much like the fan-favorite detective in Detroit: Become Human.

The game follows a tragic protagonist, a drunk and seemingly pathetic detective. Players gain a deeper connection with the anti-hero of the plot by navigating through the harsh environment of the game. Since its release in 2019, Disco Elysium has become a great hit. Fans praise the game for its beautiful soundtrack, innovative gameplay, and amazing storyline, all of which are sure to please fans of L.A. Noire.