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9 Best Noir Video Games of All Time
Collider ranks nine video games that use noir themes, from direct detective stories to more surreal or comic interpretations. The article argues that noir’s moral ambiguity, cinematic atmosphere and intricate plotting have translated effectively across genres including action, adventure and role-playing games.
– ‘Killer7’ (2005) is ranked ninth for its surreal assassin narrative, unconventional controls and subsequent cult reputation. – ‘Discworld Noir’ (1999) is eighth, combining Terry Pratchett-style humour with parodies of classic films such as ‘Casablanca’ and ‘The Maltese Falcon’. – ‘L.A. Noire’ (2011) is seventh; set in 1947 Los Angeles, its detective investigations and film-inspired presentation made it the first game selected for the Tribeca Film Festival. – The ranking treats noir as a flexible influence rather than a fixed game genre.
In short
- Noir has inspired acclaimed games across several genres.
- ‘Killer7’ is praised as a cult surrealist noir.
- ‘L.A. Noire’ brought classic detective noir to gaming.
Explained simply
Film noir began as a style of crime film, often set in shadowy cities and focused on detectives, criminals and uncertain motives. Its plots tend to involve deception and moral choices, with characters whose actions are not easily classed as wholly good or bad.
Video games have used these ideas in different ways, from investigations into crimes to surreal stories and comic pastiches. The games draw on noir’s atmosphere and complex plotting across several styles of play, rather than belonging to one fixed genre.