The game features a similar design and mechanic as GTA and RDR. It features a large map of a very detailed, recreated 1947 LA. There is openness in the world.

The game is a very different type of game though. This is a Detective story that is very controlled as to the actual story. The game is told through a series of specific cases, 20 some that all start with a crime scene. As far as I can tell, only 1 of those primary cases is open at any given time... you are on it until you close it. There are 40 some unassigned street crimes that you can report to throughout the game, but they are generated by the game not by searching around the city.

The game controls a little bit of what you can and can't do. You can't just go and start gunning people down, or randomly start some operations where ever you want. You are a by the books detective, and the game keeps you to that, while the story forces your character to deal with the growing realization of corruption, pressure, and a dark past. The specific cases sometimes dovetail together, sometimes not, but the story and the character progression is definitely building toward something.

There are still things to find by roaming around the city, locations and special cars. These unlock new suits and reward intuition points, which will help in finding evidence or in interrogations. There are car chases, fights, gun battles, and foot chases. However, the primary focus of the game is being thorough, finding evidence, watching NPCs as you interrogate them, making judgement calls, and trying to make the right decision based on the evidence and what you're getting from the interrogations.

So, there seems to be some sand box/open world elements to the game. However, this is more like playing a 20 some part NYPD Blue set in 1947 LA, episodic, focused, and paced. A different kind of gaming experience built on a familiar engine and mechanic.