What games have the best sound/sound effects?

I've been playing my current GOTY, Returnal, and I'm really in awe at the sound effects from this game. Everything is expertly curated, from the eerie music to the sounds of the environment. It's very fitting for a horror game. That, along with the 3d audio features from the PS5 headset which really add to the immersion. In certain parts of the story you visit your old house in some kind of weird dream sequence and the sound is so creepy and reminding me of PT Trailer that I often want to take my headset off during some parts 😄. So overall, really happy with the sound in this game.

How about you, SW? What games have the best sound/sound effects?

I am just here to remind lems that this game got a 9/10. Yes, you heard it right, a 9/10 and its an exclusive game that you will never play.

Not too sure what's the best sound design in games, but i do remember the Dead Space series having an excellent sound design. I haven't played any good sounding ps5 games.

TLoU (both games) have some exemplary sound design....the firefights are always intense. Tsushima also has some decent sound engineering as well, combat sounds meaty.

I’ve always loved the sound effects in the Gears of War games myself.

Battlefield games have good sound design. Hunt: Showdown, TLOU 2.

Inside has great sound design too, as well as more "indie" games like Hollow Knight, Blasphemous and a lot more.

Hellblade makes wonderful use of sound.

Kind of cheat, but also basically true? Most it transitioned over pre-existing. Some of the most recognizable sound effects in pop-culture.

And of course the music scores. Typically Binary Sunset/Imperial March, opening music. And to the lesser degree Duel Of The Fates, Battle Of Heroes and Anakins Dark Deeds, which is now the obligatory Order 66 theme used in games like Fallen Order.

This is usually complimented by original game scores , many of which, though not as instantly recognizable, are great in their own right. Stuff like Republic Commando soundtrack, KOTOR I/II etc...

Alien isolation

In terms of sound design my most recent example would probably have to be Zelda BoTW.

Battlefield series always has some of the best sounds for it's games.

Sea of Thieves

The early Silent Hill games all have incredible sound design, from Yamaoka's moody scoring to all the squishy, writhing, and otherwise oppressively atmospheric effects the series is known for. Just listen to this, for example. Put on headphones for max effect.

Nothing specific, way too many to list. Would definitely be a lot of horror games up there though. Good sound design goes a long way towards selling that experience.

Kinda off topic, but always enjoy the recurring sound effects in franchises like MGS, Zelda, Souls, etc.

One thing i've noticed over the years is how shitty the environmental sound effects are in rpgs and especially open world games, where this would shine the most. I always have to install a mod for my game to not sound bland af. I think most developers don't understand what immersion is.

Dead Space

Going to sound prisoner of the moment but Returnal really might be it.

Tetris Effect. I'm very impressed that the sound effects are perfectly in sync with the ever-changing BGMs and visuals. Highly recommend to play on PSVR to immerse yourself into it.

alien isolation

Rising Storm 2

Artillery strikes will give you nightmares. Guns sound loud and dangerous, as they should.

I love the sound of jets passing by, napalm hitting, screams ensue.

Half Life 2

Every sound surves a purpose and is there to tell the player something, like a headcrab preparing to strike you

Chivalry and Chivalry 2

A lot of clashing metal, people screaming aaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh.

But the best part by far is spawning as a whimpy character saying "My helmet isn't on straight, I can't see properly."

That's how I roll into battle

There's a correct answer, and it's Hunt: Showdown.

None of you here have played the game though, so I'm not exactly shocked that it doesn't get any mentions despite having the best damn sound of any game ever.

EDIT:

Oh hey, nice! Really like your other picks as well.

I don't think I would dare play PT with headphones on lol

@Litchie: I still trying to break ground on The Hunt: Showdown, mostly trying to get other friends to commit to playing with me.

But yeah, watched a lot of videos to understand game more and basically all say how important sound is to strategy, like for one trying to make less yourself, and being aware of what you are hearing off in the distance and what it indicates.

@xantufrog: Hellblade is a great choice.

Been a long time since I played it, but I remember being impressed with Rez on the Dreamcast and how everything moved with the beat of the music.

Eternal Darkness had absolutely fantastic sound design. The ambient "music" was the perfect amount of unsettling, creature sounds a good mix of terrifying and gross, and the disembodied voices of gods when you cast spells were bone chilling. And I know NPCs didn't have voice overs because Nintendo is cheap, but it actually made the game creepier to just read their text with the ambient noise.

Clock Tower on the SNES. This makes very minimalist use of sound, but that just makes it all the more creepy. And on the occasions music does play, it's some of the darkest shit you will hear out of the SNES sound chip.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ADkEVYFeIyI

The menu music in Mario Kart Wii stands out to me, not because it's great, but because it adds another layer at each selection screen. When picking the track it's some bongos, at character selection some synth chimes in, vehicle select adds piano and so on. Thought that was kinda cool.

I was coming in here to say Returnal as well, the game is excellent and sound and atmosphere is some of the best I've heard in any game

Best gun sounds IMO

• F.E.A.R.
• Resident Evil 4 and reload animation sounds
• Max Payne 2
• Battlefield Bad Company 2
• Grand Theft Auto 4

Misc Sounds Mortal Kombat 2 from in game announcer to level music nothing like hearing it in the arcades.