Gaming has come a long way since pong. While classic arcade titles will live on forever, the current video game scene has become so much more. Graphics, story, gameplay and audio all have to come together in harmony to make the complete package.
Video game designers today work with almost cinematic budgets to produce high-quality, well-written cinematic experiences for an audience that expects the best. Each of these elements can make or break a future classic and good design is key to getting it right. From 8-bit sound effects to BAFTA-winning audio, sound design in games has come a long way.
10 Gears of War 4
The first in the Weapons of War series to release on Xbox One consoles, Gears of War 4 arrived in October 2016 in time for Halloween, fitting the timing, as the game was a return to the series’ horror roots. A new patch for Xbox One X was Dolby Atmos 7.1.4, creating one of the most immersive gaming experiences in the entire franchise.
From the roar of the machine gun launcher to the growl of the advancing larvae, the audio in Gears of War 4 is fantastic. Every moment is fine-tuned to keep players on the edge of their seats.
9 Resident Evil HD Remaster
A remake of the classic horror title, Resident Evil HD remaster was an updated version of the game from 2002. The HD remaster supports 5.1 surround sound, turning speakers and headphones into horror for gamers everywhere. In resident evil, the gameplay and sound design really come together as one.
From eerie hallways with the iconic slow-opening loading screens to underground labs with horror just around the corner, every step is taken with a deep sigh thanks to atmospheric audio and horrifying sound effects. Every crunch, squelch and creepy groan causes panic among players brave enough to face the terror of the Spencer Mansion.
8 Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
No game character can compete with Lara Croft and Indiana Jones except Nathan Drake. The swan song of the phenomenal not mapped series was the pinnacle of the franchise as a whole.
Vast environments begging to be explored would be nothing without phenomenal sound. Winning the Audio of the Year category at the Game Audio Network Guild awards should say the quality of the sound here. From the murmur of waves to the background noise of a Panamanian prison, every beat of the story is accompanied by the best audio work in gaming.
7 Marvel’s Spider-Man
Insomniac Games has cemented itself on the Mount Rushmore of game developers. Marvel’s Spider-Man from 2018 was to this day one of the best titles ever released on PlayStation. No other Spider-Man game comes as close to Peter Parker as this one.
Swaying through New York City skylines and roaming street level, every moment in this game is brought to life by music that took two years to compose. Iconic sounding themes mixed with crunchy battle audio and the perfect “thwip” of each web made the sound design crucial to making the experience feel just right.
6 Rise Of The Tomb Raider
The second episode of the Tomb Raider reboot trilogy stands out among gaming’s greatest adventure titles. Continuing Lara’s story from 2013 Tomb Raider, players had an open-world feel for the first time in the series. With great panoramic views from the start, Rise Of The Tomb Raider combined graphics, gameplay, story and sound in an impeccable style.
From the crackling of the snow to the howling of the wind in the opening level, it’s clear that something special lay ahead for players. The soundtrack was created using a 52-piece string-and-brass orchestra and created specifically to complement the story.
5 The Witcher 3
Perhaps Geralt’s best moment so far, The Witcher 3 is worthy of the high praise it received. Made more and more popular with Netflix’s The Witcher starring Henry Cavill, this really is a contender for the best game ever.
Every town, village and town is populated with interesting and sometimes dark characters. The audio is allowed to show off its tricks with the bustle of market stalls and busy taverns filled with songs and chatter. The Witcher 3s wide open fields come alive with the sounds of the creatures that live there. A fantastic experience with stunning audio is present all over the continent.
4 Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar Games is perhaps best known for their car-stealing crime series GTA, but his western brother is no slouch. From sitting in camp with Arthur and his company to robbing the train for riches, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a great time for cowboy fans.
Players could wander through the forest to hear a distant growl, warning that a hungry bear awaits. Whistling trains and bustling watering holes in the Wild West are so atmospheric that it’s easy to get lost in the moment.
3 The last of us
Released in 2013, this post-apocalyptic game from the wonder weavers at Naughty Dog set the game world on fire. Joel and Ellie were the point of view of the players in this emotional rollercoaster of an experience. Win multiple awards, including several for its sound and audio, The last of us business meant.
Players had to crawl through tunnels, listening to an audio signal that Joel wasn’t alone. To get through buildings, they relied on using the listen mode, which allowed players to hear enemies through walls and objects. The terrifying sounds the clickers made will haunt dreams forever.
2 Return
Developed by Housemarque and released in 2021, Return brought horror to the roguelike arena. Using 3D spatial audio, everything could be heard in space this time. At the 18th British Academy Games Awards, Return won the award for audio performance.
Deserving is an understatement, the atmosphere in every biome from the crackling of rain to the screams of the giant bosses, Return is a game where players can feel the audio. The use of 3D audio provides a fantastic immersion, with each terrifying step carefully accompanied by audio. Each unique weapon found along the way has incredible audio while shooting, a real treat to the ears.
1 Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Ninja Theory brought gamers a Norwegian-based dark fantasy adventure Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. With a sequel coming Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, players have a lot to look forward to. Experiencing the game with headphones is essential.
The game is designed to help players understand what it’s like to experience psychosis, and the use of audio really makes for a harrowing experience. From hearing voices and whispers to the wind and rivers, the sound is sometimes more important in this game than any other aspect. Using spatial audio to make the voices feel like they are around the player is only part of the reason it has won several awards for sound.
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