10 Video Game Characters Who Had To Die To Win

6. L.A. Noire - Cole Phelps

Shadow Of The Colossus
Rockstar

LA Noire is an action-adventure game inspired by early 20th century detective fiction. You play as Cole Phelps; a veteran turned LAPD officer. After gaining a reputation for solving several homicides, Phelps is demoted to arson cases after it is discovered he had an affair with lounge singer, Elsa Lichtmann.

Although the cops make Phelps handle small cases to keep him out of trouble, he learns that recent house fires are connected to a huge syndicate ring. After poking around a bit further, he realises the syndicate is a front to defraud the federal government.

In the end, Phelps learns the arson was committed by Ira Hogeboom; an army officer who worked alongside Phelps during the war. Hogeboom was left traumatised after Phelps ordered him to torch the inside of a cave, oblivious that it was populated by civilians.

Feeling like he is indirectly responsible for turning Hogeboom into an arsonist, Phelps desperately tries to redeem himself. When Hogeboom kidnaps Elsa Lichtmann, Phelps pursues them through the river tunnels, which are flooded by heavy rain.

After Hogeboom is killed by Phelps' associate, Kelso, Phelps helps Elsa and Kelso out of the tunnel moments before the water drowns him.

Contributor

James Egan has been with Whatculture for five years and prominently works on Horror, Film, and Video Games. He's written over 80 books including 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts About James Bond 1000 Facts About TV Shows