One year ago we were desperately waiting for Red Dead Redemption to come out. Two years before that, the countdown was for GTA IV. Now in 2011, Rockstar has done it it again: we're drooling over their new title, L.A. Noire, scheduled for release this week - Tuesday in the US, Friday in Europe. And just like we did with their previous hits, we've compiled a complete L.A. Noire fan kit to help you get in the mood for this awesome adventure set in post-war Los Angeles.

An inspiring wallpaper is a good start for any fan. Check out the L.A. Noire Wallpaper Pack we've prepared for you in Softonic, and choose the one that suits you best. If you have a dual screen computer, remember you can use DisplayFusion to have a different wallpaper on each monitor.

All these wallpapers have a 1600x1200 resolution, so if you need a different one or want to download them for your mobile device (PSP, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry) be sure to visit the game's official website. This site also offers a varied collection of buddy icons and avatars with characters from L.A. Noire, which you can use in your favorite IM client or social network.

For those who prefer actual gameplay images, don't miss the L.A. Noire official launch trailer, made entirely from in-game footage and which shows off the impressive character facial animation techniques used in this title. Previously released videos about other topics such as performance, game features and story progression are available on the game's official site.

Finally, L.A. Noire's website also includes some extra elements to get you even more immersed in the game's universe: first, a collection of detective fiction short stories, many of which use characters and cases from the game and give them a new spin; and second, an interactive crime map set up by Rockstar and Los Angeles Times, where you can check out all the details about real criminal cases that shattered Los Angeles society in 1947.