Post-Game Content

Continue your L.A. Noire investigation with guides to post-game content and activities for Detective Cole Phelps after solving the main cases.

Congratulations, Detective Phelps! You've navigated the treacherous underbelly of 1940s Los Angeles, solved countless cases, and brought a measure of justice to the city. But the work of a dedicated officer is never truly done. L.A. Noire offers a wealth of post-game activities to keep you immersed in its meticulously crafted world. This section will guide you through maximizing your experience after the main story concludes, focusing on achieving 100% completion, uncovering hidden secrets, and mastering every aspect of the game.

Achieving 100% Completion

For the truly dedicated detective, 100% completion is the ultimate goal. This involves more than just finishing the main story cases. Here's a breakdown of what you'll need to accomplish:

Complete All Cases with 5-Star Ratings

Replaying cases allows you to improve your performance and earn that coveted 5-star rating. A perfect score requires:

• Finding All Clues: Scour every crime scene thoroughly. Don't rush; activate your intuition to highlight potential evidence.
• Asking All Questions Correctly: Pay close attention to suspect and witness reactions. Use their body language and your intuition to determine if they are telling the truth, doubting, or lying. Incorrect deductions will lower your score.
• Identifying the Correct Culprit: This is paramount. A wrong accusation will significantly impact your rating.
• Minimal Damage During Chases/Shootouts: While not always possible, try to keep property damage and civilian casualties to a minimum during action sequences.

Strategy: After completing the main story, access the "Cases" menu from the main screen. You can select any case you've already played and attempt to improve your rating. Focus on cases where you scored less than 5 stars. use the "Skip Travel" feature to quickly get to key locations if you're replaying for specific clues or interviews.

Solve All Street Crimes

Throughout your patrols in each desk, you'll encounter various "Street Crimes" or "Unassigned Cases." These are dynamic events that pop up on your map. The original game featured 40 Street Crimes. For the remastered versions (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch) and versions with DLC, this count increases to 45 Street Crimes due to the inclusion of additional cases from the DLC packs. Successfully completing all of them is crucial for 100% completion.

Street Crime Breakdown (Original Game / Remastered & DLC)

The following table details the number of Street Crimes per desk:

Desk	Original Game Count	Remastered & DLC Count	Notes
Patrol Desk	12	12
Traffic Desk	10	12	Includes "Consul's Car" and "A Slip of the Tongue" DLC Street Crimes.
Homicide Desk	6	6
Vice Desk	6	9	Includes "The Naked City" and "Reefer Madness" DLC Street Crimes.
Arson Desk	6	6	"Nicholson Electroplating" is a main case, not a Street Crime.
Total	40	45

Strategy: After completing the main story, you can Free Roam in any desk. Drive around the city, and a radio call will often alert you to a nearby Street Crime. These range from bank robberies and shootouts to domestic disputes and car chases. Some Street Crimes are time-sensitive, so respond quickly. If you miss one, it may reappear later. Prioritize completing these as they become available during Free Roam.

Collect All Collectibles

L.A. Noire features several types of collectibles that add to the game's lore, unlock bonuses, and contribute to your completion percentage:

Newspapers

There are 13 Newspapers to find, each revealing a piece of the overarching narrative and often foreshadowing future events. They are typically found at crime scenes or specific story locations. Collecting all of them unlocks the "Pulp Fiction" achievement/trophy.

• Location Example: The first newspaper is found at the start of the "Upon Reflection" case, on the desk in the police station. Another is found in the Black residence during "The Red Lipstick Murder."
• Strategy: Pay close attention to your surroundings during cases. Newspapers often glow subtly or are placed conspicuously. If you missed any during your initial playthrough, you can revisit cases via the main menu or search for them during Free Roam in the appropriate districts.

Golden Film Reels

There are 20 Golden Film Reels scattered throughout Los Angeles. These are often in out-of-the-way locations, requiring careful exploration. Collecting all of them unlocks the "Shamus" achievement/trophy and the "The Broderick" suit, which increases melee damage.

• Location Examples: Many are on rooftops, in alleys, or hidden behind buildings. For instance, one is located on the roof of the Pershing Square building, accessible via a fire escape. Another is found in the alley behind the "Blue Room" jazz club.
• Strategy: use a detailed map guide (available online) to pinpoint the exact locations of each film reel. Many require parking your car and exploring on foot. They emit a distinct shimmering sound when nearby.

Landmarks

There are 30 Landmarks to discover across the city. These are iconic L.A. locations, and simply driving past or interacting with them will register them as discovered. Discovering all landmarks unlocks the "Star Map" achievement/trophy.

• Location Examples: The Hollywood Sign, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Griffith Observatory, Union Station, and the Los Angeles Public Library are prominent landmarks.
• Strategy: This is often achieved naturally through gameplay, but a dedicated sweep during Free Roam can ensure you haven't missed any. Drive through every major district and along main thoroughfares. The game will display a notification when a landmark is discovered.

Badges

There are 20 Badges hidden throughout the game world. These are small, metallic police badges that are very well concealed. Collecting all 20 unlocks the "Badge Pursuit" achievement/trophy and the "Button Man" suit, which provides extra ammo for all weapons.

• Location Examples: Badges can be found in obscure corners, under bridges, behind bushes, or even inside buildings in areas not directly tied to cases. One badge is located near the Hollywoodland sign, another under the 6th Street Bridge.
• Strategy: These are arguably the most challenging collectibles to find without a guide. They are tiny and do not emit a sound or glow. A comprehensive video guide or detailed map is highly recommended for badge hunting.

Unlock All Vehicles

There are 95 unique vehicles in L.A. Noire. To unlock them, you must drive each one at least once. This includes civilian cars, police vehicles, and unique models. Unlocking all vehicles earns you the "Auto Fanatic" achievement/trophy.

• Vehicle Types:
  • Standard Civilian Vehicles: Found parked or driven by NPCs throughout the city.
  • Police Vehicles: Patrol cars, detective cars, and specialized vehicles like paddy wagons.
  • Unique/Rare Vehicles: Some vehicles only appear during specific cases, Street Crimes, or in particular areas. These include luxury cars, hot rods, and service vehicles.
• Strategy: During Free Roam, make an effort to steal and drive every car you see. Pay attention to the vehicle name that appears when you enter it. The "Vehicles" section in the main menu will track your progress. If you're struggling to find a specific vehicle, consult an online guide for its typical spawn locations. Remember to drive each vehicle for a short distance for it to register.

Complete All Challenges

Beyond the main story and collectibles, there are specific challenges tied to achievements/trophies that signify true mastery of the game:

• "The Long Arm of the Law": Complete all 40 (or 45 for Remastered/DLC) Street Crimes.
• "Auto Fanatic": Drive all 95 unique vehicles.
• "Shamus": Find all 20 Golden Film Reels.
• "Badge Pursuit": Find all 20 Badges.
• "Pulp Fiction": Find all 13 Newspapers.
• "Star Map": Discover all 30 Landmarks.
• "The High Five": Achieve a 5-star rating on all main story cases (including DLC cases if applicable).

DLC Cases

If you own the L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition or purchased the DLC separately, you'll have access to additional cases that expand the narrative and offer more detective work. These cases are fully integrated into the game's timeline and can be accessed via the "Cases" menu once the main story is complete, or at their appropriate points during a new playthrough. Completing these cases contributes to your overall completion percentage and "The High Five" achievement/trophy.

• "The Naked City" (Vice Desk): A case involving a missing model and the dark side of Hollywood. This case introduces new suspects, locations, and a complex web of deceit.
• "A Slip of the Tongue" (Traffic Desk): Investigate a seemingly straightforward car theft that quickly escalates into a larger conspiracy involving insurance fraud and organized crime.
• "Nicholson Electroplating" (Arson Desk): A massive explosion at a factory leads to a complex arson investigation, uncovering corporate greed and dangerous secrets. This is a full main case, not a Street Crime.
• "Reefer Madness" (Vice Desk): Uncover a large-scale marijuana operation and its connections to corrupt officials and powerful figures. This case features intense shootouts and intricate clue gathering.
• "Consul's Car" (Traffic Desk): A hit-and-run involving a diplomatic vehicle quickly turns into an international incident, testing Phelps's diplomatic skills and investigative prowess.

Strategy: Treat these cases like any other main story case. Aim for 5-star ratings, find all clues, and make correct deductions to maximize your experience and completion percentage. Some of these cases are more challenging than the base game's offerings, so be prepared for tougher interrogations and action sequences.

Free Roam and Exploration

Even after completing all objectives, L.A. Noire's meticulously recreated 1947 Los Angeles remains a vibrant and atmospheric city to explore. Use the Free Roam option from the main menu (accessible after completing the main story) to simply drive around, soak in the ambiance, and discover any hidden details you might have missed. This mode allows you to switch between any of Phelps's desks and partners, offering different perspectives and dialogue.

• Hidden Dialogue: Sometimes, driving past certain locations or interacting with specific NPCs can trigger unique dialogue or observations from Phelps or his partner, adding depth to the world and characters.
• Environmental Storytelling: The city is full of subtle visual cues and details that tell stories about its inhabitants and the era. Explore back alleys, visit iconic landmarks, and observe the daily lives of Angelenos.
• Photography Mode: Take advantage of the game's robust photography mode (available on the Remastered versions) to capture stunning shots of the city and its iconic landmarks. Experiment with filters and camera angles to create your own noir-inspired masterpieces.
• Revisit Favorite Locations: Drive by crime scenes, interrogation rooms, or memorable landmarks from the main story to see how they look outside of a case context.
• Practice Driving and Shooting: Free Roam is an excellent opportunity to hone your driving skills through the bustling streets of L.A. or practice your aim during random encounters with criminals.

By following this comprehensive guide, you'll not only achieve 100% completion in L.A. Noire but also gain a deeper appreciation for its intricate design, rich narrative, and the meticulous recreation of a bygone era.