10 Awesome Video Games Where The Gameplay Is The Worst Part
7. L.A. Noire
L.A. Noire is undeniably one of the most ambitious video games of the last decade-or-so, albeit one that just doesn't quite stick the landing where its gameplay is concerned.
As a hard-boiled neo-noir story, Team Bondi's epic, sprawling action-thriller is riveting from first minute to last, situating its sharply drawn, complex cast of characters within a thickly atmospheric Los Angeles.
Period detail has almost never been done this well in video games: the architecture, costume design, vehicles, and music all feel thoroughly of their time, adding up to one of the most richly convincing game worlds you'll ever play.
It's a shame, then, that the base gameplay itself just doesn't feel much good at all. The widely-hyped interrogation mechanic turned out to be a totally mixed bag, with the misleading options often causing players to accidentally select the wrong one through no fault of their own.
Add to this running and shooting mechanics that don't feel good at all, and the generally repetitive nature of the interrogations and exploration, and you've got a game that, despite its phenomenal presentation and fascinating story, is often a genuine bore to play.