James Noir's Hollywood Crimes

 3DS
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 22
  3. Negative: 3 out of 22
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  1. GameShark
    Nov 29, 2011
    42
    3D is used to good effect in some puzzles, but the same effect could be had by staring at a lamp and walking around it, furtively searching for hidden messages before finally quitting and seeing if there's any pie in the house.
  2. games(TM)
    Jan 29, 2012
    30
    The range of puzzles on display is also sorely lacking for a game of this type. [Issue#118, p.114]
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  3. Gaming Age
    Dec 2, 2011
    25
    Overall, I feel like it's a pretty poor entry on the 3DS, and it would have been better off as a simple collection of puzzles than something enveloped in a poorly told noir tale.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best 3DS Game of 2011
56
#56 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2011
48
#48 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. meaningless
    Oct 3, 2018
    7
    Puzzle game with a not bad story line. Puzzles are not bad although would be a bit easy if you don't find layton to be taxing. The blendingPuzzle game with a not bad story line. Puzzles are not bad although would be a bit easy if you don't find layton to be taxing. The blending of puzzle and the story is done alright but the story is too short and feels like you are only at 50% mark when it ends. The use of 3ds features is appreciated and is actually quite appearing. I would say this could be a very good launch game. As others mentioned the voice acting is not perfect, but i would cast a doubt of benefit to the motion picture. The game is full of motion presentation for all characters composed from series of still images. That's why there is no lip sync and the movement is repetitive. The voice acting is therefore presented "lively" to compensate for the loss. But maybe it is a bit over the board. Another thing worth mentioning is the creative writing. It successfully delivered the feel and taste as a popular show contestant which you receive fans and haters letters. The realm of 60's and the mystery atmosphere is also done successfully and you could enjoy immersing into the scene.

    A not bad game overall considered that it is from Ubisoft which specialized in full action games. I would say sometimes it feels like a game made under really tight budget but it is a good game for its current pricing.    … Full Review »
  2. Robio
    Dec 12, 2011
    7
    It takes the Professor Layton formula of combining puzzles with a mystery story, and puts it into 1960's Hollywood with mixed results. TheIt takes the Professor Layton formula of combining puzzles with a mystery story, and puts it into 1960's Hollywood with mixed results. The puzzles aren't as good as Layton's, but most are decent enough. The story itself is actually very good, with some twists and turns that are truly unexpected. Sadly, the execution of the story is marred by some awkward voicework, and bad pacing. Still it's good enough that you'll want to keep playing to see what happens next.â… Full Review »
  3. Mattia9336
    May 29, 2020
    6
    Right of the bat you can see the game has a unique identity, and the story is interesting. However it's too short and there's a general lackRight of the bat you can see the game has a unique identity, and the story is interesting. However it's too short and there's a general lack of gameplay. It's basically a series of cutscenes interrupted by some puzzles you need to resolve. The puzzle itself are okay and some of them are pretty difficult… Full Review »
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