10 Video Games That Secretly Teach Us History
8. LA Noire
Set in Los Angeles in 1947, LA Noire is a game that gives an interesting view into post-war America. You play as Cole Phelps, a veteran Marine of the Pacific campaign in WW2, who joins the Los Angeles police force. What follows is a selection of cases that shows the social issues and dark underbelly of late '40s America.
The attention to detail is what makes this game truly stand out. The map is an accurate portrayal of LA at this time, with you being able to visit many famous areas and landmarks. Cars, clothes, music, and guns are all chosen carefully by Team Bondi to be perfect for the setting of the game. The game also takes inspiration from several real-life crimes that happened at the time. These include drug rings and murders, giving eerie realism to the crimes.
The real interesting part of this game, though, is the in-depth look it offers at the societal problems of this time. Racism, sexism and post-war fears are all part of this. But this game goes much deeper. It looks at the mental health problems that WW2 caused and the impact it had on the people at home. LA Noire can teach a person a lot about social history.