Film noir, a cinematic term used to describe Hollywood crime dramas of the 1940s and 1950s, is characterized by its moody, low-key black-and-white visual style and its cynical, stylish, and dark narratives. This genre has transcended its movie roots to infiltrate and influence various video games, generating a riveting blend of intrigue, suspense, and atmospheric storytelling. In this article, we are going to delve into a compelling roster of games that carry the hallmark characteristics of film noir, creating a uniquely gripping gaming experience.
In these games, players traverse shadowy city streets, engage with morally ambiguous characters, and unravel labyrinthine plots, all while bathed in the iconic high-contrast lighting of classic film noir. These titles not only evoke a specific aesthetic but also a narrative richness from the intricate detective work and complex character dynamics common to the genre. Whether you’re a fan of film noir or a gamer seeking a unique thematic experience, this list of games with film noir settings offers a deep dive into the intriguing and dramatic world of noir.
Contrast
This was a launch game for the PS4 and fell under most radars. There is definitely potential for a second game. Very artsy game based around the theatres and shows of the time. The game is quite short, maybe 5 hours or so, but the theme and setting of it are quite nice.
L.A. Noire
This game has to be the number one suggestion for any game based around film noir. Not sure where the e came from at the end but this game is set in the same time period where you are a detective with the police force, solving murders around the city. Really good game and a perfect match for this time period of film.
The Saboteur
This game is based in Paris during WWII. You are a rebel fighting back against the Nazis. The main focus of the game is based around fighting back against the Nazis. The cool thing about the game is that it is in black and white and only the Nazi flags and stuff are in color. As you clear Nazis from an area, color comes back. Really nice, retro vibe that lets you play through a WWII game from a completely different angle.
Blues and Bullets
A great episodic Noire game i recently picked up and played was Blues And Bullets. This was pretty cheap on the Playstation Store for the first two episodes and follows a retired cop who gets asked by his arch nemesis Al Capone to find his kidnapped grandaughter. There are 5 episodes in total but no more have been released in the past 2 years, which is a bit dissapointing but still a great couple of episodes of the game to play none the less.
