‘L.A. Noire’Gameplay Video Highlights Interrogation, Character Interactions» MTV Multiplayer

The initial glimpses of Rockstar Games'"L.A. Noire"seen in trailers were infuriatingly non-revealing in terms of painting a picture of how the game might play. They are teasers in the truest sense, evoking a tone and whetting your taste buds for what was to come. Rockstar has been bringing the goods in recent weeks, however, starting with last month's revealingGameplay Series video"Orientation,"a series which continues today with"Investigation and Interrogation."

As you might have already guessed, the new video is focused entirely on the more cerebral aspects of Team Bondi's 1940s-set Los Angeles detective story. A major component of the game involves working LAPD cop Cole Phelps through the city's various crime desks, investigating activities on a particular beat until your performance rates for a promotion.

There are several key components to any investigation, but every single one will have two elements in common: a visit to the crime scene and an interview with any suspects. The new video gives us our clearest look yet at both elements.

Suspect interviews will involve applying the right amount of pressure to your interviewee based on how he or she is behaving. This is where Rockstar's use of MotionScan technology to re-create lifelike character performances is critical. As you can see in the video, every character is remarkably expressive. There are even a few famliar faces;"Heroes"star Greg Grunberg is unmistakably visible at around the 2:18 mark.

Crime scene investigations are equally important, as it is there that you'll find important clues and pick up facts from witnesses that open up new lines of questions once you start sitting down with possible suspects. Doing a good job leads to Cole leveling up, which allows players the opportunity to improve on his abilities, such as making crime scene clues more obvious to his trained eye.

For all of its open-world trappings and"GTA"-like HUD,"L.A. Noire"very clearly departs considerably from Rockstar's usual open-world formula. A very good thing indeed. There's nothing wrong with"GTA,"but there is something undeniably cool about getting to star in your very own film noir-styled adventure.

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