Achievements / Trophies

Unlock all achievements and trophies in L.A. Noire. This guide provides steps for story, collectibles, and combat challenges in 1947 Los Angeles.

Welcome, detective, to the comprehensive guide for unlocking every achievement and trophy in L.A. Noire. This section will provide detailed, actionable steps to ensure you don't miss a single one, from story-based unlocks to the most elusive collectibles and combat challenges. Prepare to delve deep into the underbelly of 1947 Los Angeles!

Story-Related Achievements

These achievements are unlocked naturally as you progress through the main story cases. Focus on solving the mysteries, and these will come with time.

• The Up and Up: Complete all cases on the Patrol Desk.
• Shakedown: Complete all cases on the Traffic Desk.
• The Shadow: Complete all cases on the Homicide Desk.
• The Naked City: Complete all cases on the Vice Desk.
• The Long Arm of the Law: Complete all cases on the Arson Desk.
• A Private Eye: Complete the game.

Collectible & Exploration Achievements

Star Map

Objective: Find all 30 hidden badges.

These badges are small, shiny police shields scattered throughout the city. They often blend into the environment, so keep a keen eye out. Many are found in alleys, on ledges, or near landmarks. There's no in-game tracker for individual badges, but the game will notify you when you collect one. Collecting all 30 unlocks the "Golden Boy" suit, which grants extra intuition points.

• Strategy: It's recommended to tackle these after completing the main story, allowing you to free-roam without case pressure. use a comprehensive online map or video guide to pinpoint their exact locations. Drive slowly through residential and commercial areas, and always check rooftops and hidden corners.

The Moose

Objective: Find and inspect all 95 landmarks.

Landmarks are significant historical or architectural sites in Los Angeles. When you approach one, a notification will appear on screen, and you'll often hear a subtle chime. You don't need to interact with them, simply being in close proximity is enough for it to count. The game does not provide an in-game checklist for specific landmarks, only a total count.

• Strategy: Similar to the badges, tackling these during free-roam is ideal. A good approach is to systematically drive through each district, paying attention to your mini-map for any points of interest. Some landmarks are quite prominent, like the Hollywood Sign or City Hall, while others are less obvious, such as specific theaters or historical buildings. Referencing a detailed map showing all landmark locations is highly recommended to avoid extensive backtracking.

Combat & Driving Achievements

The Grim Reaper

Objective: Kill 30 enemies with the M1 Garand.

The M1 Garand is a powerful rifle that becomes available during certain gunfights, particularly in later cases. It's also accessible in Street Crimes.

• Strategy:
  1. Street Crimes: Many Street Crimes involve shootouts. Look for crimes that involve multiple armed suspects, such as bank robberies or shootouts with gang members.
  2. Case-Specific Opportunities: During cases like "A Different Kind of War" or "A Walk in Elysian Fields," you'll encounter numerous enemies and often have access to the M1 Garand. Focus on headshots for quicker takedowns and to conserve ammo.
  3. Replaying Cases: If you've completed the game, you can replay specific cases through the main menu to farm kills with the M1 Garand.

Bulletproof

Objective: Finish a case with 100% health.

This can be surprisingly tricky, as even minor bumps or a single bullet can deplete your health. Choose a case with minimal combat or driving sequences.

• Recommended Case: "The Red Lipstick Murder" on the Homicide Desk is a good candidate. The case primarily involves investigation and interrogations, with very little combat. The only potential danger is during the chase sequence near the end, but if you drive carefully and avoid collisions, you should be fine.
• Strategy:
  • Avoid Collisions: Drive extremely carefully during any driving sequences. Even minor fender benders can chip away at your health.
  • Stealth/Non-Lethal: If a combat encounter is unavoidable, try to use stealth takedowns or non-lethal methods where possible. If you must shoot, aim for quick, decisive kills to minimize return fire.
  • Replay for Perfection: If you take damage, restart from the last checkpoint immediately.

The Driving Dead

Objective: Drive 100 miles.

This achievement is cumulative and will likely unlock naturally as you play through the game, especially if you opt to drive to all destinations yourself rather than using your partner to fast travel.

• Strategy:
  • Always Drive: Decline your partner's offer to drive whenever possible.
  • Free Roam: After completing the main story, spend some time driving around Los Angeles, exploring the city and collecting badges/landmarks. This will quickly rack up mileage.
  • Street Crimes: Responding to Street Crimes often involves driving across significant distances.

Interrogation & Investigation Achievements

The Truth Will Out

Objective: Use an intuition point to correctly identify a lie.

Intuition points are earned by completing cases, finding badges, and successfully solving Street Crimes. They can be used during interrogations to remove incorrect answers or to ask the audience for help.

• Strategy: During an interrogation, when you suspect a witness or suspect is lying, select the "Lie" option. If you are unsure which piece of evidence contradicts their statement, press the designated button (e.g., Triangle on PlayStation, Y on Xbox) to spend an intuition point. This will highlight the correct piece of evidence, allowing you to present it and expose the lie.

The Golden Boy

Objective: Achieve a 5-star rating in all cases.

A 5-star rating is awarded for excellent performance in a case, which includes finding all clues, correctly identifying all suspects and motives, and making accurate judgments during interrogations. This is one of the more challenging achievements.

• Strategy:
  1. Thorough Investigation: Always search crime scenes meticulously. Use your partner's hints (if available) and the musical cues to identify all interactive clues.
  2. Evidence is Key: Ensure you have collected all relevant evidence before entering interrogations. Missing evidence can severely hamper your ability to prove lies.
  3. Interrogation Mastery: Pay close attention to facial expressions and body language. When a suspect is being truthful, their demeanor will be calm. If they are doubtful, they might fidget or look away. If they are lying, their expression will often be more agitated or defensive.
  4. Intuition Points: Don't hesitate to use intuition points during interrogations if you're unsure. They can save a case from a lower rating.
  5. Replay Cases: You can replay any case from the main menu. If you don't achieve 5 stars on your first attempt, go back and try again, focusing on areas where you might have missed clues or made incorrect deductions.

Miscellaneous Achievements

Keep a Lid On It

Objective: Complete a Street Crime without your hat falling off.

This is a humorous achievement that requires a bit of luck and careful maneuvering. Your hat can fall off during intense combat, car chases, or even if you bump into objects too hard.

• Strategy:
  • Choose a Simple Street Crime: Look for Street Crimes that involve minimal combat or car chases. "Bank Robbery" or "Prowler" crimes might be too intense. "Traffic Stop" or "Foot Chase" crimes could be easier.
  • Drive Carefully: If a car chase is involved, drive cautiously. Avoid collisions and sharp turns that could dislodge your hat.
  • Combat Awareness: During shootouts, stay behind cover as much as possible. Avoid taking direct hits or being knocked down, as these are common ways to lose your hat.
  • Restart if Necessary: If your hat falls off, immediately restart the Street Crime from the beginning.

Auto Fanatic

Objective: Drive every vehicle in the game.

There are over 90 unique vehicles in L.A. Noire, ranging from standard police cruisers to luxury sedans, sports cars, and even trucks. Many are found driving on the streets, while others are parked in specific locations or appear during certain cases.

• Strategy:
  • Steal Every Car: Whenever you see a new car model, steal it and drive it for a few seconds. The game will register it as "driven."
  • Police Garages: Visit police garages at precincts. These often contain several police vehicles and sometimes confiscated civilian cars.
  • Case-Specific Vehicles: Pay attention to vehicles used by suspects or witnesses in cases. Sometimes unique models appear only during specific missions.
  • Vehicle List: Keep a checklist of all vehicles. There are many excellent online resources that list every vehicle and often their common spawn locations. This is crucial for tracking your progress.
  • Free Roam: Spend significant time driving around the city in free roam, especially in different districts (e.g., Hollywood for luxury cars, industrial areas for trucks).