This strategy guide by Tim Bogenn and Rick Barba promises to spill the secrets of the 2011 action-adventure neo-noir crime game LA Noire. Set in Los Angeles in 1947, the game draws heavily on film noir tropes, and the distinctive look of its gameplay is reflected in the guide’s cover art. A detective with his face cast in shadow dominates, while a femme fatale and a corpse illuminated by blue-and-red police siren lighting complete the picture. It promises a game where players interrogate suspects and untangle crimes against a backdrop of corruption and moral ambiguity.

Developed by Sydney-based developer Team Bondi, LA Noire was published by Rockstar Games. The comprehensive strategy guide reflects the game’s commercial success, with over 7.5 million units sold by the time it was re-released in 2017, and its prominence in the global gaming industry, being the first video game honoured at the Tribeca Film Festival. While printed strategy guides have largely been replaced by online video walkthroughs, they also serve as high-quality physical souvenirs for popular and Triple-A titles like this.