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"Mature Content Warning!" |
| “ | You say one more word about him and I will blow your F*CKING head off! | „ |
| ~ Cole losing his cool with Roy Earle. |
What's the Work?[]
L.A. Noire is a 2011 action-adventure video game, developed by the now-defunct Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games. It is set in Los Angeles in 1947, shortly after the end of World War II. The story follows Detective Cole Phelps as he rises through the ranks in the LAPD, from a patrol officer to detective, investigating numerous cases involving homicide, vice, and arson.
Who's the Character?[]
Cole Phelps is the main protagonist of the game, serving as the main protagonist of the first four chapters, and the deuteragonist of the fifth and final chapter.
In his mid-20s, Phelps attended Officer Candidate School to join the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted during the height of World War II and was sent overseas to fight in the Pacific Theater against the Japanese forces. After being wounded in battle, he was honorably discharged and returned home shortly after the war ended. Following his return, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) as a routine patrol officer. He quickly proved himself as a reliable detective and eventually became a Traffic Detective.
What Makes Him Heinous?[]
During World War II, he committed serious war crimes after accidentally ordering the deaths of several innocent women and children, then having his men burn the bodies and hide them in a cave. He and the others swore never to reveal the truth, a decision that enraged one of his marines, Courtney Sheldon, who later shot him in retaliation. Medically discharged and sent home, he was unwillingly awarded the Medal of Honor for his supposed heroics and continued to lie about the incident throughout the game.
In his police work, he often acts cruel and abusive during interrogations, going beyond his duty by belittling suspects, insulting their character, and at times even threatening their families. In both the story and during free-roam gameplay, he can use unnecessary lethal force on suspects who could have been arrested peacefully.
Although he disliked and distrusted him, he was still willing to work with the corrupt officer Roy Earle. He also engaged in an affair with Elsa Lichtmann, betraying his wife Marie and later feeling deep remorse for the pain he caused her. Arrogant and hot-headed, he often congratulates himself and loses his temper easily, once even holding Roy at gunpoint for insulting a fallen comrade. In the story’s climax, he kills Ira Hogeboom after Ira kidnaps and threatens Elsa—an act that saves her life, though it's debatable whether lethal force was truly necessary or if Ira could have been reasoned with.
What Makes Him Inconsistent?[]
He carries immense guilt for his past (especially his behavior and actions taken during the war) and makes a sincere effort to atone for his sins. Despite his flaws, he has the capacity to demonstrate compassion and empathy towards suspects, often comforting them and showcasing genuine moments of kindness. He cares deeply about his family; even though he cheats on his wife, he feels profound remorse for hurting her and never stops wanting to protect them from further harm.
He has standards against racism and misogyny, frequently calling out Roy Earle’s bigoted comments and unethical conduct. He also holds great respect for his fellow army men, as demonstrated when he held Roy at gunpoint after Roy insulted the deceased Courtney Sheldon, refusing to tolerate disrespect toward a fallen comrade.
Overall, he is a non-villain, and although his investigative methods can be questionable, he is an honorable detective and officer who saves numerous lives and performs many heroic acts. These include solving the Black Dahlia murders, arresting various dangerous criminals such as drug dealers, abusers, and serial killers, helping Jack Kelso expose the Suburban Redevelopment Fund, and ultimately rescuing Elsa Lichtmann—sacrificing his own life in the process.
Heinous Standards[]
The heinous standards of L.A. Noire are insanely high, as one would expect from a game focused on investigating and apprehending the worst criminals. Among these criminals are Harlan J. Fontaine, who illegally sold morphine by prescribing it to students and addicts, and was indirectly responsible for Ira Hogeboom murdering multiple families. Then there's Mickey Cohen, who ran a massive mafia involved in drug dealing, which led to the deaths of several U.S. soldiers. He even ordered an assassin to kill a bus driver, endangering numerous lives and resulting in the death of a police officer. There's also Mark Bishop, a movie producer who abused and molested several young female actors.
However, Phelps meets the standards for having ordered the deaths of countless women and children during the Okinawa Cave Incident, and then spending years attempting to cover it up. Although the exact death toll is never specified, given the fact that an entire village was burned to the ground suggests that Phelps’ kill count could range from several dozen to over a hundred, potentially giving him the highest number of innocent casualties out of any other character in the story.
Verdict[]
Yes for ordering the deaths of several innocent civilians (including women and children) during the war, then covering it up for years. However, he feels immense guilt for his past, can be genuinely kind to others, cares about his family despite his neglect toward them, has standards, committed numerous heroic acts, and redeemed himself by giving his life to save Elsa.