PS3 Previews

It’s that time of year again. E3 is coming and the hype train is beginning to hiss. In preparation for this year’s maelstrom of new video game delights, which starts on June the 15th, we’re running a twice-weekly series of features highlighting the big hitters you’ll want to keep an eye on at the show.

Some you’ll know, some you won’t, but all will require your complete and undivided attention. So tune in to GamesRadar every Wednesday and Saturday, and have that attention primed and ready.

Today, we’re looking at Rockstar's PS3 and 360 urban detective drama, LA Noire.

Take a good hard look at the image above. While it's not the most exciting screenshot you'll see in your lifetime, it sure as hell gets us all giddy with anticipation. Y'see we've seen L.A. Noire running and those scarely realistic mugs you can see above play out with such expertly defined facial expressions and lip-synching that everything before it pales in comparison.

Strong words, sure, but the detail within the characters plays a far bigger role in Rockstar's detective 'em up than we could ever have hoped for.

Early scepticism suggests that although L.A. Noire looks real purdy, there’s a big question mark over how it will all be stitched together and whether it will work well or be a bit of a mess. Well, our current hands-on time with Team Bondi’s crime thriller gives us the perfect answer – it works and it does with aplomb.

Click on the image above for more evidence on how it all comes together nicely.

Let’s just hope the mainstream media doesn’t latch on to L.A. Noire with the same kind of misplaced rage they reserve for Rockstar’s other baby, because the imagery I witnessed in the first minute wasn’t just disturbing as hell, it’s damn sure something I’ve never seen done before...

So, let’s get this part out of the way: yes, Lara Croft’s appearing in a new game, and no, it’s not part of the Tomb Raider franchise. Why shed such an established brand? According to developer Crystal Dynamics, it’s because the download-only Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is going to be a completely different experience than what fans are used to, and the title’s intended to reflect that.

“Different” barely begins to cover it. The biggest change, however, is that Lara actually has someone along to help her this time. A dude someone.

I’m carrying a bag filled with gold. My team is plundering a mine, and I’m the point man - lugging burlap-wrapped bullion back to a capture point in our base. My teammate is a desperado, and he’s yelling at me from beneath his face bandana to hurry the hell up.

“Throw the gold!” he hollers. I’m trying.

Ever found yourself playing Team Fortress 2 and thinking, “This is fun, but I sure wish I were wearing a coon-skin cap”? At long last, your prayers have been answered in the form of developer Fat Shark AB’s Western-themed online shooter, Lead and Gold - Gangs of the Wild West.