LA Noire still remains one of the most unique games in the crime thriller genre. Developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games, LA Noire put players in the shoes of detective Cole Phelps as he sets out to solve various crimes throughout Los Angeles in the 1940s. The game's interrogation gameplay mixed with the established mechanics and open world of Rockstar projects, made LA Noire a special one-off title.
Despite the game's success, it failed to reach the heights that would justify a broader franchise, leaving LA Noire with the status of being a cult classic. LA Noire's slow-burn crime solving brought some compelling murder mysteries to life, which has left many players hoping for more. After music composer Freyja Garbett posted to Instagram teasing a new LA Noire project, named Snowden House, was in the works from VR developer Video Games Deluxe, rumors of a sequel began to spread like wildfire. Unfortunately, it seems like a sequel to LA Noire is still wishful thinking.
A Sequel to LA Noire is Currently Just a Concept
Snowden House is Not a Fully-Realized Project
After Garbett's Instagram post ignited a firestorm of speculation, Video Games Deluxe was quick to address the situation. Responsible for developing LA Noire: The VR Case Files, Video Games Deluxe clarified that Snowden House was simply a VR tech demo based on a cut case from LA Noire. Garbett's work was used to help bring the tech demo to life, but there currently weren't any plans to actually release Snowden House to the public, at least not any time soon.
In the official statement from Video Games Deluxe, it was even confirmed that the developers are unsure if the demo "will ever see the light of day." Although this is, of course, bad news for those wishing for more games set in the LA Noire universe, all hope isn't lost for a successor. Despite Snowden House only being a tech demo, it's at least a small piece of proof that developers are still playing around with concepts set in LA Noire's world.
The 1940s version of Los Angeles that LA Noire brought to life deserves to be seen again. It's now been a long 13 years since it was released, but a sequel still isn't entirely impossible. At the moment, Rockstar has its hands full with GTA 6, so it's not likely that a new LA Noire chapter will be revealed any time soon. However, there has been an ongoing demand for continuing Rockstar's one-off titles that failed to get a franchise.
There is Still Hope For Rockstar's Forgotten IPs
Rockstar may have not directly developed LA Noire, but it still has a place on the company's roster with its publishing credits. Between LA Noire and Bully, two of Rockstar's most interesting titles have been lying stagnant when either would make a great franchise. As the years move on with no news of continuing these potential franchises, it seems like hope is dwindling, but there is also the possibility of surprise. Both games would be great options to evolve further, but LA Noire has more potential for expanding its world.
Snowden House may have turned out to be a false announcement, but it's interesting that Video Games Deluxe is still experimenting with LA Noire-based stories, even if just for tech demos. If LA Noire ever receives a spiritual successor, it hopefully won't be exclusively VR, but it would be thrilling to see a new chapter told in the crime-ridden world of 1940s Los Angeles, no matter what. At this point, LA Noire may be too niche to warrant a sequel, but one can at least dream.
LA Noire
- Released
- May 17, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
Using groundbreaking new animation technology, MotionScan, that captures every nuance of an actor's facial performance in astonishing detail, L.A. Noire is a violent crime thriller that blends breathtaking action with true detective work to deliver an unprecedented interactive experience. Search for clues, chase down suspects and interrogate witnesses as you struggle to find the truth in a city where everyone has something to hide.
Amid the post-war boom of Hollywood's Golden Age, Cole Phelps is an LAPD detective thrown headfirst into a city drowning in its own success. Corruption is rampant, the drug trade is exploding, and murder rates are at an all-time high. In his fight to climb the ranks and do what's right, Phelps must unravel the truth behind a string of arson attacks, racketeering conspiracies and brutal murders, battling the L.A. Underworld and even members of his own department to uncover a secret that could shake the city to its rotten core.
