In September, Rockstar Games surprised fans by announcing an L.A Noire remaster. The updated version of the hit detective game will be available for current-generation consoles (including the Nintendo Switch) and even virtual reality headsets.
But this wasn't just a plain re-release for new consoles, as Rockstar would be giving its game a fresh lick of paint as well. The developer confirmed that L.A Noire would be available in '4K Ultra HD' on the PS4 Pro and the upcoming Xbox One X, and now a new trailer shows off what those graphical improvements will look like.
L.A Noire's already impressive facial capture technology shines even more in 4K. Cutscenes have a near movie-like quality as the wrinkles in foreheads and creases in clothes are all present. Although the one-minute long trailer doesn't offer a great deal of interrogation gameplay in 4K, the graphical improvements will make a huge difference there, especially.
Interrogation is a major gameplay feature of the detective game as players must figure out whether a character is lying, whether they have something to hide, or whether they are just fearful of the questions being asked. Making those discoveries is key to a successful investigation and so the 4K graphics of the L.A Noire remaster may help players significantly with that.
Judging by the trailer, Rockstar has worked hard to make the game look great for newer consoles, even if L.A Noire is now over six years old. But many will be wondering what the developer's other, older games would look like in 4K. Fans have been desperate for schoolyard sequel Bully 2, but if the L.A Noire remaster proves to be a success, could the original Bully get the remaster treatment too?
Other fans may just be focused on L.A Noire, however - hoping that the remaster does well just so that it will encourage Rockstar to make a sequel. Rockstar has previously discussed making a new game, saying that it was considering the possibility of turning L.A. Noire into a series. Brendan McNamara, who was the director and writer of the first game, has also said that a sequel would not take as much time to make now that the development team has created and is familiar with the motion capture technology.
The chances of a follow-up likely depend on this remaster, but it's unclear whether Rockstar would revive the canceled L.A Noire successor or whether it would make an entirely new game from scratch. In any case, a lot more fans are going to be asking for a follow-up once the remaster has been released and they'll be hoping that Rockstar will finally bow to the pressure.