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  • Truth in the Shadows: A Look Inside L.A. Noire.

    There’s more at play than what’s on the surface. If you want to find the truth, you’ll have to dive deeper, and when you think you’ve found it… well that’s not even the half of it.

    L.A. Noire (Rockstar Games) was developed by Team Bondi in 2011. Here, we follow a police officer who makes a name for himself as a detective. He has a strong sense of justice and even in the face of corruption, he sticks to what’s right, hoping to correct his mistakes from the past. A past that haunts him.

    We will talk about how the story addresses mystery, storytelling, and morality, along with a little lore background.

    The Case File: Story and Setting

    Cole Phelps, badge 1247, is an LAPD detective who has the right caliber for the job. His story shows him rising in popularity after each successful case. But sadly, even heroes can fall. He gets demoted for something he indeed did wrong, but this provides a great scapegoat for bigger powers at play in the city.

    The city is vast. Many landmarks can be visited, and rare and realistic cars collected. The music on the radio makes you feel like you’re there. It’s not a typical Rockstar Games experience. Oddly enough, it makes you want to follow the rules of the road, not that you will, but it makes you want to.

    Some cases are based on real ones, giving power to the historical feel of the game. There’s a traffic case where someone tries to fake their death with pig’s blood, but the actual case is based on a man who cut himself for the same purpose. One of my favorite cases is in the Homicide desk because it plunges you into that mystery feel. It’s raining, the music, Murder’s Brood, is playing, and the time of day in the case is dark.

    The game is influenced by the real world. Cases that are real, corruption found in the big city, and the post WWII era are just a few of these influences.

    Clue and Consequences: Gameplay and Mechanics

    The technology used in the development of the game was used to accurately scan the actors’ and actresses’ facial expressions. This makes the interrogation much more realistic. As you progress through the story, the interrogations get harder. You feel that almost everyone is lying at this point but, can you prove it.

    Not all clues will be used in interrogations, but they build the overarching story of the cases. Not only will finding enough clues and getting enough of the interrogation questions correct get you to the end of the case, but it will also affect how your superior feels towards your accomplishment. This plays into the corruption within the LAPD, as in some cases it is evident that an “ideal” suspect is more preferred than the truth.

    Thematic Analysis: Truth, Morality, and Guilt

    Each case has Cole searching for the truth. Some of these cases leads him into thinking he is catching the wrong people. When he finally catches the killer, he is expecting a commendation for his work, but no. The case is swept under rug with the public never knowing about the event all because of who the killer actually was.

    Cole was already struggling with his past war experience. He was hoping to redeem himself through his police work, but the corruption within the force prevents him from feeling satisfied with his work. He is a married man with two daughters, surely wanting to live by example for them, but at a time in his weakness, he sought another. The aftermath, tarnishing his reputation, his life, and the family he had.

    Visuals and Atmosphere

    The music gives you that historical feel, its like glue to pieces already there. Some of it is upbeat, jazzy, or slow and mesmerizing.

    The world can feel shiny, almost gilded. Reflecting the beauty on the outside only, because you don’t want to know what’s underneath.

    The Final Interrogation (Conclusion)

    L.A. Noire is a fantastic experience, and I wish they would make another. I have never played a game like it before.

    It leaves you wondering what truth really is, can it be sought, will it ever be brought to life, and leaves you questioning whether or not it would even be better if it remained hidden.

    What are your thoughts on L.A. Noire? Is there another detective game you would recommend to be played?

    Stay tuned for Thursday: Escaping into Worlds: Healthy or Harmful?

    Digital Archiver signing off.

  • Currently Exploring

    As of now, my travels have taken me from the early 1800s in a war between the French empire and the sovereign nation of Russia, to being a detective in the streets of L.A., hunting down thieves, murderers, and conspiracists, to the futuristic past of a long, long time ago, following the adventures of a lone jedi in a very hostile territory in a faraway galaxy.

    What I’m Reading

    War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

    I have posted about this book a couple of weeks back. I am currently on page 387. This book was recommended to me by a friend for inspiration for a story I am currently writing of my own.

    I am absolutely enjoying this book. I have gone from not liking certain characters to loving them, and then wondering what the heck they are doing. Kind of like how one would react to someone else in real life. The book does a great job of portraying the atmosphere of the times of war and peace.

    Star Wars: Knight Errant by John Jackson Miller

    I am on a long journey of reading all of the Star Wars Legends books. I’m reading them in timeline order. Having already read the ones that came before this is the next book in the series for me, and afterward I will start the Darth Bane Trilogy.

    I was not expecting to feel so lonely reading this book. Kerra Holt is a lone Jedi, and I suspect that she will be the only Jedi in this book, which is really different from what I am used to. I am hoping this book will include a narration of what happened to all the Sith for there to be left Darth Bane and his apprentice.

    What I’m Playing

    L.A. Noire (Team Bondi/ Rockstar Games)

    This gem of a game is something I always like to go back to. I haven’t played a game quite like it since. It’s a great detective game with subplots that lead to a major narrative, beautiful music, and keeps one on their toes.

    My wife has been watching me play it. We enjoy the atmosphere of the game. It’s been years since the last time I played it, but I never, until this playthrough, looked anything up on the Black Dahlia case. I didn’t know that was a real unsolved case until recently. So I have been playing this game while thinking respectfully of the case that was never solved.

    Although I do wonder if the homicide cases leading to the man who murdered the Black Dahlia, in the game’s universe, his death, and the cover-up to follow, was a play on the theory that’s out there of the police, or someone out there, actually discovering who killed the Black Dahlia but covering it up because of some conspiracy. We may never know, but she deserves our respect when looking back on her.

    Common Thread

    All three of these worlds deal with characters under pressure but insisting on staying on the path of truth and morality. Whether it’s Prince Andrei and Count Perre having opposing views, that they believe are best for everyone, of those less fortunate with a war on its way, the lone Jedi putting her opportunity of taking out the enemy on hold to save her friend, or the detective seeking justice in a town that seems to have so little of it.

    These stories so us people who insist on staying human even when the world begins to turn gray.

    What’s Next

    I imagine it will take me a while to finish War and Peace, but in the meantime, I plan on posting another Currently Reading post on it.

    When I finish Star Wars: Knight Errant and post about it, I will turn my attention to Halo: Renegades by Kelly Gray.

    After I am done with L.A. Noire, I am going to go back to naval warfare in WWII in the game Battlestations: Pacific (Square Enix).

    Please let me know what worlds you are currently exploring and what you think of the ones that I am on now.

    Stay tuned for Sunday: Truth in the Shadows: A Look Inside L.A. Noire.

    Digital Archiver signing off.

  • Book Review: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

    Welcome back to Narnia Archivers! Fun fact: Did you know that the book order of the series is NOT the publication order? That’s right, book 2, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, was the first book published in 1950, and Prince Caspian, book 4, was published in 1951.

    This story takes place hundreds of years after the children return to their own world at the end of the first (Publication order) book, although for the children, it has only been one year. This is a story with hope from the deliverance from the enemy, restoring lost glory, and faith.

    Prince Caspian marks the beginning of a new era for Narnia. With the Pevensies’ return, they find that the land they once ruled has turned into nothing more than a legend.

    Some Light Lore (Spoiler Warning)

    During the hundreds of years since the first book, the Telmarines came from our world, through a magic portal, into the land of Telmar. They were pirates who had shipwrecked on a native island, killed the men, took the women for wives, and suffered from infighting.

    Telmar was experiencing a severe famine, which made them decide to relocate and conquer Narnia. They drove out the talking creatures and subjected the land to “dumb” creatures.

    Prince Caspian the tenth, so the Telmarines have been having for at least ten generations, had learned in secret about “Old Narnia”. He was driven from the kingdom under the threat posed by his uncle, who had a son whom he wanted to inherit the kingdom.

    During this time, Aslan was nowhere to be found. Even the idea of there being creatures known as lions was a myth. However, Aslan did return in the book to help guide his people and save Narnia. A sure reflection of our Lord and Savior guiding us.

    Plot Overview (Spoiler-Light)

    Prince Caspian is in exile, under threat from his uncle, searching for those of Old Narnia in the hope of ushering it back in. It took faith and courage for not only him to trust the creatures he had heard about, but never seen, but also for the creatures to trust him, who is a descendant of those that threatened and threaten their lives.

    The kings and queens of old return to assist Prince Caspian and take back Narnia, with Aslan’s help, and set Prince Caspian on the throne as the rightful and just ruler.

    Symbolism

    The book beautifully symbolizes having faith in dark times and restoring belief in people and our Savior.

    The story matures along with the children, going from the wonder of the wardrobe to a more mature entrance into Narnia while still having that magical feeling.

    When the battle is won, Aslan is firm with the Telmarines, giving them a choice to remain in Narnia or go back to the world in which they originally came. This reflects our Lord giving us the choice to remain with Him or leave for our world.

    Character Impressions

    Prince Caspian- His brave, humble, and willing to listen to the counsel of the Old Narnians. Unsure of himself on whether he is fit to be king.

    The Pevensies have grown. They have an extra year of age in their home world with their experiences in Narnia before. Edmond is much more willing to take Lucy at her word this time around. Peter is still the leader he always was, and Susan stumbles between what she knows is true and what she wants to be true.

    Reepicheep is a talking mouse who is bigger than regular mice but still pretty small. His size does not stop him from upholding the honor of his people through acts of courage.

    Trufflehunter is always holding on to what his people have always known and believed. In spite of opposition of disbelief, he always held onto his faith in the kings and queens of old.

    Nikabrik represents those who have a hard to relying on faith. He looks for other ways to get what he desires even if those ways are dark.

    Writing and Worldbuilding

    Mr. Lewis was able to keep that magical feeling that was felt in the first book. The world does feel sadder with the oppression from the Telmarines, but also full of hope for a better tomorrow.

    Narnia has that old feeling to it as soon as the children see that Cair Paravel is nothing but ruins, and places like Aslan’s How are different from what they used to be.

    We get new races, such as a mix of dwarves and Telmarines, and talking and fighting mice. Developments of some of the creatures, dwarves, and giants were the enemy in the first book, but here we have friendly dwarves, with one exception, and a friendly giant.

    Personal Takeaway

    This book and series is originally for children but even I found it wonderful to read and I know I’m the only adult that does.

    As I was reading this book, I grew excited about the idea of reading these stories to my children. These books would be fantastic for parents reading to their kids.

    I have only read these two books in the series. I suspect the book The Horse and His Boy will shed some light on the events of Narnia being conquered by the Telmarines, but that is only a guess.

    The next book in this series I will be reading will be The Voyage of The Dawn Treader; however, it will be a little while before I read this book.

    Closing Thoughts

    I have watched the movie, and there are some small differences. I do like the book better, though. Interestingly enough, I think the movie The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is better than the book, but the book is still great.

    Believe it or not, there is a Prince Caspian (Disney Interactive Studios) video game. I have also played this, but it’s been so long that I don’t remember the details. I do remember getting a little far into the game but not being able to beat it, as I was too young and didn’t know what I was doing.

    Which Narnian age do you find most fascinating — the golden days of Aslan’s rule or the forgotten age of Prince Caspian?

    Stay tuned for Thursday: Currently Exploring.

    Digital Archiver signing off.

  • Game Vs. Book Immersion

    Have you ever played a game or read a book with the intent of stopping at a certain point, only to find that it feels irresistible to put it down?

    The immersion we feel with our favorite worlds involves the transformation of our minds into that world. We begin to hear the sounds, see the sights, smell the smells there, and the worlds pluck at our heartstrings.

    I want to dive into a talk about how games and books differ in their immersive experience and how they are similar or even better than the other.

    The Nature of Immersion

    Starting, I feel like books have a leg up on immersion because the reader, in lack of better words, is interacting with them through their minds. Bear with me here. I am a slow reader. If you were to watch me read, you could see my mouth barely move because I am reading every single word, trying to absorb every detail. In this, I can pick up on the narrative voice clearly, and use my imagination to picture the world the book is creating.

    Right now, I’m reading Star Wars: Knight Errant by John Jackson Miller, and, since I just started, the setting that’s being described to me is the situation that Kerra Holt finds herself in. Trapped in Sith space, a Jedi alone, watching civilians suffer and not able to do anything about it, and so on.

    Games, on the other hand, take the point towards visuals. Not to mention the interactivity with the world that players experience. I find games most entertaining when the world is built believably, obviously, but also when small things happen, whether I am the cause or not, but especially so if I am, and they have an impact on the world later on. The butterfly effect is one such thing I love about certain games.

    Something else to mention is player agency, and I feel that the Elder Scrolls (Microsoft) series has mastered this art. Skyrim, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, was my introduction to the series. That sense of creativity we were given to not only create the look of our character but to ask, “Who am I?” as we navigate the world. This thought came from The Elder Scrolls Effect https://www.youtube.com/embed/aks6erotvDo?si=2i0ADaNhilbJFVIE by Sir Schmib on YouTube.

    How Books Immerse Us

    Authors use several techniques to immerse their readers. Such as the descriptive language they use, the emotional depth they create between us and the characters and situation, and they do the latter by clearly portraying themes and thoughts to us. Something else that adds to this is the writing style of the authors themselves. It makes the reading more unique.

    Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace, does this well. When he writes descriptively, he goes as far as writing the scene in a way where one hears the sound of the scene, rather than just reading it. I felt like I could actually see Prince Andrei running towards the French soldiers, standard in hand, in the battle of Austerlitz.

    How Games Immerse Us

    Games provide an immediate sensory experience through the sounds and visuals of the environment in their worldbuilding. The ability of player choice and control adds to this immersion. After all, if we can interact with it, then we must be there. Player choice becomes more powerful when most, if not all, can change the trajectory of the story.

    MediEvil (Sony Interactive Entertainment) makes one feel like they are stepping into a Halloween fairytale. The visuals are an amazing contribution to the Halloween season, and the humor found within the game captivates those who play it into a fun adventure. Humor is a powerful tool, and they pulled it off with this game.

    The Emotional Connection

    Books pull their readers in through empathy and imagination, through worldbuilding and the love of their characters. Games entice their players by making them a part of the story through action, being able to make a meaningful decision, and enact one’s own creativity.

    Which connection lasts longer for you and why?

    The Drawbacks of Each

    Books are limited in that they can not show their worlds like games can, and they don’t allow for interaction. Games provide a deep emotional connection, but even then, they are limited in how deep an emotional connection they create.

    The attention they both must grab from their audience can be a limiting factor, considering that attention grabbers work differently for each individual. They both need to pull off the pacing of their stories so as not to rush or lose people by being too slow. Games with great stories can be limited in design due to the technology of the time of their creation.

    The Reflection

    Books make us imagine the impossible; games let us live it. With that being said, I am biased in my answer here. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. In short, they are powerful in their own ways.

    Closing Thoughts

    Regardless of either of their weaknesses, they both excel in creating immersive experiences for their audiences in their own unique ways.

    When do you feel most immersed—turning a page or pressing start?

    Stay tuned for Sunday: Book Review: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis.

    Digital Archiver signing off.