'L.A. Noire' Promises To Be Summer's Hottest New Video Game

By Michael Lopez

In the past few weeks, we've spent a lot of time delving into the popcorn epics lighting up the summer movie screens. But let's not forget that this season also promises a slew of high-profile video games to keep vacationers occupied. And one particular title that's on every console player's mind is the intense crime saga, L.A. Noire.

The much-anticipated video game is out this week. Six years in the making, this 1940's crime drama actually became the first video game ever shown at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film-like game got a story reminiscent of the golden age of cinema, the same motion-capture technology that was used in Avatar, and a design team that helped create Grand Theft Auto. Not only that, Rockstar Games has given Noire the same marketing push you'd expect from a blockbuster summer film, complete with posters, trailers, and massive billboards.

Noire has already gotten a ton of praise from critics within the video game community. With its state-of-the-art graphics and complex plot, it's actually quite different from the type of shoot-em-up action you'd expect from the guys behind GTA. This title seems to go for the slow burn, focusing on detailed police work and investigative clue gathering.

Following the life of a grizzled 40's detective named Cole Phelps, players are given the opportunity to solve intricate murder cases and (just like Grand Theft Auto) chase down hoodlums through the city streets. As with all Rockstar titles, there are still plenty of gunplay elements, as well as fistfights and hard-nosed interrogations.

Plus, Los Angeles is very much a character in the game and several of the city's most famous landmarks have a prominent role. There are 21 total cases to solve, each one with its own twist and its own connection to the greater story arc.

And interestingly, the makers of L.A. Noire are also reaching out to the Latin gaming world, via Spanish trailers and subtitles throughout the cut-scenes. Overall, we're expecting big things from this button masher, but be careful. We've heard it can be quite addicting and we'd hate for you to spend the next three pool-friendly months cooped up in front of your Playstation 3.

Are you planning on picking up L.A. Noire? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Grand Theft Auto, Hot Stuff, L.A. Noire, Los-Angeles, Rockstar Games, video games