- Primary Subject: L.A. Noire 2
- Key Update: The author argues for a sequel to the 2011 classic that utilizes modern facial tech, setting changes, and introduces a Private Investigator protagonist.
- Status: Fan Proposal / Wishlist
- Last Verified: February 4, 2026
- Quick Answer: While L.A. Noire 2 is not confirmed, fans are advocating for a sequel featuring a new lead, a new setting, and more nuanced facial technology.
With the hype around the impending release of Grand Theft Auto 6 at an all-time high, I think now is the best time to remind everyone that Rockstar isn’t a two-hit wonder.
Scrolling through the list of games that Rockstar has released over the years puts into perspective just how much time they’ve invested into their two breadwinners: Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. But what about their underdogs? Games that have been shelved indefinitely, but still have a large enough fan base to turn some heads.
I am, of course, talking about the phenomenal 2011 game L.A. Noire, and I believe it’s time for our detective to come out of retirement.
New Generation
One of the biggest selling points that L.A. Noire has is its realistic facial animations. At the time, facial mapping and realistic textures were huge leaps in technology, but nowadays they’re practically the norm.
With games like God of War and Death Stranding, we’ve gotten more expressive motion and facial capture than ever before. Now that the technology is readily available, I believe Rockstar could push the envelope further. The facial animations in L.A. Noire, while impressive, were very exaggerated to show off the new shiny piece of tech under their belt. I would love to see L.A. Noire 2 employ more subtle, realistic facial expressions that feel more natural than reactive.
While the tech is impressive and integral to the gameplay, that is not all there is to this game. I admit, one of the biggest (and probably most hypocritical) hot takes I’ve had with the first L.A. Noire was that it felt more like a tech demo than an actual game. Yes, Rockstar, we get it. The faces are realistic and expressive, but what about every other facet of the gameplay?
The scenes outside of interrogation felt like an afterthought, with most of the gunplay and mechanics being taken from Grand Theft Auto. If there is ever another entry in the series, I would love it if Rockstar added something unique to the gameplay that sets it apart from their usual formula.
New Story
Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption play similarly to each other. They both let you roam a vast open world, progressing the story and committing a little crime on the way. But while GTA and RDR are very similar, Rockstar does an amazing job leaning into what makes their respective settings so colorful and unique.
You cannot live the cowboy fantasy within Grand Theft Auto, the same way you won’t live the noir detective fantasy in Red Dead Redemption, and that’s something I believe the Rockstar devs can lean on, the same way Disco Elysium did.
I am going to say something controversial, but I still believe it needs to be said: We need to leave Detective Cole Phelps out of a potential sequel. L.A. Noire did a great job fleshing out Cole Phelps’ character, but his personality never really worked with L.A. Noire to begin with.
Detective Cole Phelps is a man of the law, and because of this, every rogue act felt very out of character. Instead, I’d like a Private Investigator to step in and take on the role of the protagonist, relegating Cole Phelps to a non-player character. That way, you can still welcome new players while paying homage to old fans.
Medium Scale
Nowadays, if you see the Rockstar logo on a video game, then you know it’s going to be good. Rockstar has released some certified bangers to the video game world, with Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption establishing themselves as critically acclaimed classics from the moment they were announced.
Despite all of that, I believe the studio can still afford to release a few medium-scale games instead of just the haymakers. With the announcement of Grand Theft Auto 6, I hate the feeling of assumption that the next decade is just going to be all about one game, with a possible Red Dead Redemption 3 on the horizon, too.
L.A. Noire is an IP that’s collecting dust on Rockstar’s shelves, along with titles such as Manhunt and Max Payne, and I’m sick of waiting decades for another entry. In all seriousness, and I might be speaking from naivety, but I believe L.A. Noire doesn’t require a lot of resources to be enjoyable.
Instead of focusing on a sprawling open-world the size of Great Britain, give me Chicago. Downscaling could also benefit Rockstar because it would mean they’d spend less time and money making the world.
So while I am hyped for the upcoming GTA 6, that will never erase the fact that I am dying from a lack of L.A. Noire. Heck, I’d be happy if you gave me Chicago Noire or any of the other detective games at this point!
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