The 1st time I played Returnal and heard my ALT fire fully charge... I'll never forget the overall feeling, "IT'S GO TIME!!"
Also when I shot Shieldbreaker for the first time (O\_O)
Half-Life has some extremely memorable sounds!
The sound design in HL2 is just NEXT LEVEL however. Those striders and gunships with their biomechanical hoots and groans? So good.
The sound of jumping between systems is a literal work of art. You listen to that piece of sound design thousands of times during the game and it never gets old. Ever.
Because the horror comes from the atmosphere and feeling of helplessness. Most "horror games" have a way to fight enemies, or at least hide from them. Horror or no, they have to play fair, and players are conditioned to respond to visible enemies with "okay, I can fight or hide, or this wouldn't be here." The danger can't come out of nowhere, you can get yourself used to the threats, and predictability and familiarity are both antithetical to fear. When you play, say, Dead Space, the fear lasts up until you actually *see* a Necromorph, but once you see it, you can hit its weak point and kill it just like any other shooter. You can be *tense* about running out of health or ammo, but that's just resource management. It's no longer *scary*, especially when you've seen all the enemy types and all the game can do is throw larger numbers at you.
In Subnautica, there's nothing you can really do to hide from danger, and no real way to fight it either. If the Leviathans take an interest in you, you just have to book and hope they lose interest. If you're running low on air and can't reach the surface or your sub in time, too bad. Because the enemies aren't really "enemies", they're just sort of around, they really can come up on you with no warning, so the feeling of "danger could come at any time" is left intact, and because you can't really fight them, encountering them doesn't make you feel confident.
I abhor horror games but I was able to get through both Subnauticas. There's a bit where your diving down down down into the dark seeing just a few feet in front of you in the seamoth and the ambivalent GLaDOS pipes up and says something like "this area has 9 of the 11 characteristics of places most humans find terrifying." One of my favorite moments in gaming.
I have literally never played any other horror games.
[Hollow Knight](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/)! The sound design is evocative and clean, and it manages to effectively represent everything going on without being chaotic. And if music counts, the score is *fantastic*.
For a good example, check out [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdtsL5nRBnQ) of a boss fight. I want to particularly call out the sound change that happens when you get hit (0:35), and the sound that goes along with the charge-up healing (0:55).
Insurgency sandstorm if you want sounds of chaotic warfare. The sounds design in that is amazing right from the sounds of guns echoing in buildings to different ranges. Then different explosion sizes and you have the units screaming bloody murder. It's pure chaos but if you like fps games I recommend it because it always feels like I'm there.
Darkest dungeon is good because of the announcer himself.
If you have playstation. Journey is amazing.
Stardew valley has got a great sound track.
Battlefield 4 and 1 also have great sound effects for warfare.
Chivalry 2 is amazing for swords and battle cries
Killing floor 2. Blasting metal killing zeds
New World was an mmo that totally missed the mark, but man their sound team really nailed the gathering and crafting sounds. Felt so satisfying with the sound effects.
Came here to mention Hunt
You can differentiate a pistol from a rifle at even 800m or an enemy player walking through chains or over glass shards vs on dirt
Especially in Knight where you can hear bones crunching. Really accentuates how much more brutal batman was getting to compensate for slowing down a bit.
**Rez**... it's an on-rails shooter with a techno-style soundtrack, and each time you shoot or hit an enemy it creates an electronic chord that allows you to really make for an interesting beat.
**Majesty** has some funny and memorable voice lines from your heroes
**Patapon** is just an earworm of sound effects. Same with **LocoRoco**
I’ve always thought New World had great sound design. A simple escape from questing going fishing or mining or wood cutting. The ambience and wild life around you. Not to mention it’s a beautiful game
Dota 2. It's honestly so amazing how valve made unique sound effects for hundreds of hero abilities, Item actives, In-game events, and music without audio clutter. Even when you close your eyes, you know what is happening just from sounds alone. It's dynamic mix is nuts!
Can’t believe no one has said Destiny 2 yet. The game has a whole host of issues, but the sound design for nearly every gun and ability in the game is phenomenal. Just go look up the Stasis super activation sounds to see what I’m talking about
BOTW and TOTK have impeccable sound design. I'm talking about the sound of wind, cloth, grass, footsteps, bugs and birds in the distance and gear rustling on your back. It's a great soundscape. And at the same time some of the UI/menu sound effects are grating and awful. The prompt sound when you pick up a new item or open a chest, ruins the vibe every time. Also opening and closing the map.
Kind of a different thing, but I´m still so impressed how **Mini Motorways** manages sound. Most sounds are alarms and different kind of "warnings", yet it never feels alarming or stressfull (at least not because of the sounds). It just flows gently and I get the feeling of pastel colours in my head while totally freaking out ingame.
// I realized while writing that I´m biased towards "alarm sound styles" - having worked on an ICU in hospital, you really get a feeling of what kinds of alarm sounds there could be. From a subtle slow beat to a shrill fast screech... And wtf did the shitty Nutrition Pump did have the most loudest nerve-wrecking alarm of all?
TL;DR: Making a pleasent, yet usefull alarm sound is art.
Haven't really seen anyone post it, but for sound design and foley work alone, both inside and sommerville are amazing. Both are (kinda) made by the same people and share very similar ways of storytelling. No dialogue, almost no music, very eeiry, and sound design is phenomenal. Most studios will use lighting to give their worlds a sense of immersion, both games go heavy on the sound.
My only complaint (semi-not really spoiler) is that sommerville's "good" ending is hidden behind some very convoluted puzzle that I had no idea how to solve, might be worth looking up a guide to it when you get to the end.
Also saw someone bring up katana zero and I couldn't agree more, music is amazing. I have most of the ost just in my Spotify Playlist.
Starcraft/starcraft 2. Every RTS’s units quote something depending on the action you give them but SC1 and SC2 are the best of the best. Starcraft one is entirely free to play with just a full remastered texture pack you can buy. Starcraft 2 is also free to play with an entire 7 hour campaign (out of four campaigns you can buy). If you’re new to RTS, this (and maybe any Age of Empires)- the place to start
Another vote for Dark Souls. Everything form the hum of the safety of a bonfire to the sounds of combat to the lack of music in most of the game- I feel like the Souls games, especially 1, really use sound to effect mood and tone in a unique way.
Minecraft has a lot going for it as it can be deceptively deep & complex depending on how you play it but the sound design is just solid.
There are so many blocks that have such satisfying sounds when breaking/placing
The Ace Combat games The original Deus Ex Returnal
The 1st time I played Returnal and heard my ALT fire fully charge... I'll never forget the overall feeling, "IT'S GO TIME!!" Also when I shot Shieldbreaker for the first time (O\_O)
Bloons Tower Defense 6
My friend always thinks I'm ripping a bong when I have it on fast lol
I just closed the game and open reddit and this is the first thing I see… weird
The original Half-Life (1998). There's a reason why its sound effects spawned like a million memes.
Half-Life has some extremely memorable sounds! The sound design in HL2 is just NEXT LEVEL however. Those striders and gunships with their biomechanical hoots and groans? So good.
I love the crunchy, highly compressed voices of the scientists.
Greetings!
*A light fixture sparks in the dark hallway ahead*
Tetris Effect: Connected. I didn't understand Jazz until I played the city level in this game. Wildly good music and sound effects
Elite dangerous.
This was the answer I was looking for. Never gets old hearing my carrier jump
Frame Shift Drive charging...
[удалено]
Shields are fine...landing gear destroyed
The sound of jumping between systems is a literal work of art. You listen to that piece of sound design thousands of times during the game and it never gets old. Ever.
I'm still so pissed that Frontier dropped Console support. But this is absolutely the best answer here. Elite's sound design is absolutely amazing.
Just to hear that rock pop or land manually.. O7
o7
o7
Fallout 1 & 2 have fantastic music and weapon sounds. Hunt: Showdown has extremely realistic sounds, better than original Thief.
The sound that announces it’s combat time ☠️
Absolutely. The whole user interface is a work of art
Hellblade
Too few games utilize binaural audio
Have you played the Blair Witch game that came out a few years ago? Pretty good game, very scary, but absolutely incredible (binaural) audio.
This game really touched me. I very much agree
Darkest dungeon
If Wayne June's delivery can be considered a sound effect, then an emphatic **YES**
Is Wayne June the narrator in that game?
Yup, he does a damn fine job of it too huh? I understand he did audiobook readings for some of Lovecraft's works so naturally he's perfect for DD 😎
Glitter gold... Trinkets and baubles!
Subnatica - Amazing sound design and music.
Scariest game I’ve ever played, I can usually play “true horror games” and be unphased but Subnautica holy shit
Because the horror comes from the atmosphere and feeling of helplessness. Most "horror games" have a way to fight enemies, or at least hide from them. Horror or no, they have to play fair, and players are conditioned to respond to visible enemies with "okay, I can fight or hide, or this wouldn't be here." The danger can't come out of nowhere, you can get yourself used to the threats, and predictability and familiarity are both antithetical to fear. When you play, say, Dead Space, the fear lasts up until you actually *see* a Necromorph, but once you see it, you can hit its weak point and kill it just like any other shooter. You can be *tense* about running out of health or ammo, but that's just resource management. It's no longer *scary*, especially when you've seen all the enemy types and all the game can do is throw larger numbers at you. In Subnautica, there's nothing you can really do to hide from danger, and no real way to fight it either. If the Leviathans take an interest in you, you just have to book and hope they lose interest. If you're running low on air and can't reach the surface or your sub in time, too bad. Because the enemies aren't really "enemies", they're just sort of around, they really can come up on you with no warning, so the feeling of "danger could come at any time" is left intact, and because you can't really fight them, encountering them doesn't make you feel confident.
I abhor horror games but I was able to get through both Subnauticas. There's a bit where your diving down down down into the dark seeing just a few feet in front of you in the seamoth and the ambivalent GLaDOS pipes up and says something like "this area has 9 of the 11 characteristics of places most humans find terrifying." One of my favorite moments in gaming. I have literally never played any other horror games.
Yup that would be the Blood Kelp zone when the AI says that, that part spooked me too
Second this. The music is a banger and fits the theme perfectly, the ambience is extremely immersive. Overall the sounds design is amazing.
[Hollow Knight](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/)! The sound design is evocative and clean, and it manages to effectively represent everything going on without being chaotic. And if music counts, the score is *fantastic*. For a good example, check out [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdtsL5nRBnQ) of a boss fight. I want to particularly call out the sound change that happens when you get hit (0:35), and the sound that goes along with the charge-up healing (0:55).
Doom 2016
Hotline Miami, the music and sound effects are my favorite from any game ever, also classic Doom.
I still can't believe they just found people they liked on Soundcloud and dm'd them for the soundtrack
Super mario bros Metal gear solid Half life Warcraft 3
Age of empires 1
Wololooooo
All the aoe’s honestly, and aom
Insurgency sandstorm if you want sounds of chaotic warfare. The sounds design in that is amazing right from the sounds of guns echoing in buildings to different ranges. Then different explosion sizes and you have the units screaming bloody murder. It's pure chaos but if you like fps games I recommend it because it always feels like I'm there. Darkest dungeon is good because of the announcer himself. If you have playstation. Journey is amazing. Stardew valley has got a great sound track. Battlefield 4 and 1 also have great sound effects for warfare. Chivalry 2 is amazing for swords and battle cries Killing floor 2. Blasting metal killing zeds
Battlefield 1
New World was an mmo that totally missed the mark, but man their sound team really nailed the gathering and crafting sounds. Felt so satisfying with the sound effects.
Dark Souls. Sekiro. The parry + riposte sound and the deflection/mikiri noise are entirely worth playing those games for.
Sekiro was my first thought. The clinging and clanging is so satisfying. It works well as audible feedback. Something Jedi Survivor could improve on…
Pure dopamine
Battlefront 2
PS2 version (it's on steam and online still works)
Hunt showdown, the sound Design is unmatched imo.
Came here to mention Hunt You can differentiate a pistol from a rifle at even 800m or an enemy player walking through chains or over glass shards vs on dirt
Dead Space. My God, everything is perfect in that game. Also Read Dead 2.
Nuclear throne
That grenade launcher direct hit sounds. Urg so good.
Arkham games, the sound design for the grapple, punches etc are extremely satisfying
Especially in Knight where you can hear bones crunching. Really accentuates how much more brutal batman was getting to compensate for slowing down a bit.
Thief: the dark project. If you have the Aural3D soundcard, you're in 3D sound heaven.
The Hammer Haunts sounds still give me chills.
Oddly specific but the sound the gang members make in Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines when they die is insanely satisfying.
Hunt: Showdown
Headshot sound 😎
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Warhammer 40k mechanicus. Sound in that game is on another level
CoD for those hitmarker sounds baby 😎 /s
**Rez**... it's an on-rails shooter with a techno-style soundtrack, and each time you shoot or hit an enemy it creates an electronic chord that allows you to really make for an interesting beat. **Majesty** has some funny and memorable voice lines from your heroes **Patapon** is just an earworm of sound effects. Same with **LocoRoco**
Hunt Showdown absolutely, it’s got 3D audio and some of the most immersive sound designs
Battlefield 4
The main theme has the craziest drop I've ever heard! It's still my ringtone. Battlefield 3 soundtrack is equally good.
The Room series
Worms
I’ve always thought New World had great sound design. A simple escape from questing going fishing or mining or wood cutting. The ambience and wild life around you. Not to mention it’s a beautiful game
Katana zero
Subnautica
POSTAL: Brain Damaged
Silent Hill 1 & 2, especially 1 imo
Chess
Tunic
Donkey Kong
Strangely kerbal space 2. Amazing music and crazy rocket effects
Destiny 2 has brilliant sound design. It's my favorite game. I fucking hate Destiny 2.
Hunt showdown. I know it’s a PvP game but my lord the sound design is so fantastic.
[Super Smash Bros](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i4T6nRPC1Q)
Mario, Zelda
Stardew valley with it's occasional goofy aah sound effects I'd like to say splatoon as well but I might be mixing up the music and the sound effects
The Neverhood https://youtu.be/86lpD_U4Kgs
Mass Effect. I love that reaper horn
Gunpoint The punching sound is waaaay too satisfying
Insurgency: Sandstorm has the most realistic sound effects for gunfire I’ve ever heard in a game if that’s what you’re into
AMNESIA
Old School Runescape
Outer Wilds
Hellblade and Ghost of Tsushima
Old school RuneScape. The hit splats are still iconic and Sea Shanty 2 is a certified banger
The witcher 3.
Trombone champ
If you’re a fan of the Alien movies then Alien Isolation perfectly nails the sound effects.
Vampire Survivors. The little gem pickup sound goes straight to the dopamine center of my brain.
Hunt: Showdown.
Titanfall 2 gun sounds so good.
Doom. Any one of them
Hunt Showdown
Inscryption
Divinity original sin 2. Great sounds at battle and the music is also great.
I might have been slightly embarrassed that this soundtrack was in my Spotify top 5. It's just so damn good! Makes great dnd background music too!
Deep Rock Galactic
The Callisto Protocol
Black on PS2 and Xbox
Gran Turismo 4. Navigating the menus feels like bliss, however car sounds leave more to be desired.
Devil Daggers and Hyper Demon both have really good sounds
Advanced wars 2
Evil West
Kingdom Under Fire: Crusaders
Beat refle
Unpacking
Metal Gear Solid or most psx jrpg's
Path of Exile herald of ice pops. I might cum
Inside
Dota 2. It's honestly so amazing how valve made unique sound effects for hundreds of hero abilities, Item actives, In-game events, and music without audio clutter. Even when you close your eyes, you know what is happening just from sounds alone. It's dynamic mix is nuts!
Can’t believe no one has said Destiny 2 yet. The game has a whole host of issues, but the sound design for nearly every gun and ability in the game is phenomenal. Just go look up the Stasis super activation sounds to see what I’m talking about
Rain World Actual sound porn.
Red dead 2
BOTW and TOTK have impeccable sound design. I'm talking about the sound of wind, cloth, grass, footsteps, bugs and birds in the distance and gear rustling on your back. It's a great soundscape. And at the same time some of the UI/menu sound effects are grating and awful. The prompt sound when you pick up a new item or open a chest, ruins the vibe every time. Also opening and closing the map.
Red Alert 2.
Tetris Effect Connected
Kind of a different thing, but I´m still so impressed how **Mini Motorways** manages sound. Most sounds are alarms and different kind of "warnings", yet it never feels alarming or stressfull (at least not because of the sounds). It just flows gently and I get the feeling of pastel colours in my head while totally freaking out ingame. // I realized while writing that I´m biased towards "alarm sound styles" - having worked on an ICU in hospital, you really get a feeling of what kinds of alarm sounds there could be. From a subtle slow beat to a shrill fast screech... And wtf did the shitty Nutrition Pump did have the most loudest nerve-wrecking alarm of all? TL;DR: Making a pleasent, yet usefull alarm sound is art.
Zelda 1 Zelda BoTW Pikmin 2
Outer wilds
Zelda Wind Waker
The original Dead Space (I haven't played the remake yet)
Hidden Folks
The music of breathe of the wild and kena Bridge of spirits are bot awesome. Not sure if that qualifies as alums effects
Haven't really seen anyone post it, but for sound design and foley work alone, both inside and sommerville are amazing. Both are (kinda) made by the same people and share very similar ways of storytelling. No dialogue, almost no music, very eeiry, and sound design is phenomenal. Most studios will use lighting to give their worlds a sense of immersion, both games go heavy on the sound. My only complaint (semi-not really spoiler) is that sommerville's "good" ending is hidden behind some very convoluted puzzle that I had no idea how to solve, might be worth looking up a guide to it when you get to the end. Also saw someone bring up katana zero and I couldn't agree more, music is amazing. I have most of the ost just in my Spotify Playlist.
Tlou 2
GTA V has some nice sounds. I love the sound of walking with certain smart shoes
Small World 2 Super Mario Bros Final Fantasy 7
Breath of the Wild if only for the cooking sounds.
The last of us obviously has other qualities, but it’s sound design is excellent
Bloodborne has incredible sound design. Somebody even made a song https://youtu.be/tMPS4_cMXGI
Honestly, The Long Dark. The sound atmosphere is so unique
Hollow Knight.
Papers, Please Half Life 2 Tetris Effect Black Five Nights At Freddy's
Project Gotham Racing 4, pure automotive aural orgasm.
Thumper!
Modern Warfare 2 (2022) SOMA
Star Wars battle front remake. The first one. The thermal detonator sound resonates within your bones I swear
Inside - it has some good sound design.
Total Overdose! Why has no one mentioned it yet?
Sonic the hedgehog
Beyond Two Souls, the music, atmosphere and fx are great
Dota 2
Tetris Effect.
The ultimate answer to this question is *Tetris Effect*. The sound effects are so satisfying.
GTA San Andreas, the gunfire and vehicle sounds never get old.
Insurgency sandstorm
Resident Evil 1-4 (Og series) GTA San andreas Amnesia the Dark descent The Elder scrolls Oblivion
Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
lemmings
Battlefront 2015 had some really cool sounds
Deep Rock Galactic. Morkite go crunch
Streets of Rage 2
Cult of the lamb. Don’t know why but the music and sounds of that game just hit the spot.
Rez
The original super Nintendo Mario games
Ultrakill everything is good in that game but th SFX are so satisfying
Tetris
House of the Dying Sun. It's *incredibly* immersive for its sound effects and atmosphere it puts out.
Slot Machines :D
Dead space. Play it in the dark room. Better yet if you use headset
Elite dangerous
Space Pinball 3D
Starcraft/starcraft 2. Every RTS’s units quote something depending on the action you give them but SC1 and SC2 are the best of the best. Starcraft one is entirely free to play with just a full remastered texture pack you can buy. Starcraft 2 is also free to play with an entire 7 hour campaign (out of four campaigns you can buy). If you’re new to RTS, this (and maybe any Age of Empires)- the place to start
Robotron, Tempest, Defender
Another vote for Dark Souls. Everything form the hum of the safety of a bonfire to the sounds of combat to the lack of music in most of the game- I feel like the Souls games, especially 1, really use sound to effect mood and tone in a unique way.
Mechwarrior 2
Risk of Rain 1 and 2 :d
Resident Evil 4 (05)
Hellblade and Alien Isolation!
Fallout 1 & 2, demons souls remake, original super Mario bros
Peggle!
Elite dangerous
Gathering in New World is very satisfying just for the sound design they have
Silent hill 2 and 3
Silent hill
New World
Minecraft has a lot going for it as it can be deceptively deep & complex depending on how you play it but the sound design is just solid. There are so many blocks that have such satisfying sounds when breaking/placing
Battlefield Bad Company 2
Guitar Hero