When playing through a game for the first time, a handful of elements are sure to jump out at the player straight away and stick in their mind. Agame’s art direction, narrative, gameplay, and even its performances are all obvious elements that are widely spoken about upon a game’s launch, and all of these elements are celebrated duringThe Game Awards.
But there’s one technical element that often gets overshadowed, and that’s a game’s audio design. Audio design is just like a car engine. When it’s doing its job nobody really notices it, but the second it malfunctions it becomes an obvious issue.The Game Awardshas nominated five games this year for their outstanding audio design, and while all have a chance of taking home the coveted trophy, there’s one that seems a tad more likely to win.
The Game Awards 2024 Best Audio Design Nominees
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
One consistent strength oftheCall of Dutyfranchisehas always been its audio design, with even some of the series' weakest entries still having their fair share of satisfying gunshot pops and explosions. Thankfully,Call of Duty: Black Ops 6is the best entry the franchise has seen in a while, and its audio design is arguably the best it has ever been.
Each weapon has a distinct set of sound effects, including unique reload noises and gunfire sounds. Each Scorestreak has an appropriately powerful set of sound effects. And thenew omnimovement systemis made all the more satisfying with its diving and sliding audio effects.
WHERE TO PLAY
Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.
Astro Bot
Astro Botis one of the most joyful, vibrant games of the year, and its audio design plays a large part in that. Each ofAstro Bot’s power-upshas a set of unique sounds that set them apart from one another and capture the toy-like wonder of using each one.Astro Bot’s audio design also reinforces its platforming mechanics, with the low humming of Astro’s hover jets and metallic tapping of his feet on the ground helping players to feel more in-tune with the mascot’s movements.
Astro Botalso has some excellent music, but that’s its own category at this year’s Game Awards.
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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
TheFinal Fantasyfranchiseis home to some of the most iconic sound effects in gaming, andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthdoes an excellent job of modernizing those sounds and adding a bevy of its own authentic audio effects. From Tifa’s punches to Cloud’s slashes to Barret’s blasts, every second ofFF7 Rebirth’s combat is accentuated and improved by excellent audio design. But just likeAstro Bot, the soundtrack is what elevatesFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s audio to the next level, and that doesn’t play a role in this category.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is the highly anticipated new story in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project, a reimagining of the iconic original game into three standalone titles by its original creators. In this game, players will enjoy various new elements as the story unfolds, culminating in the party’s journey to “The Forgotten Capital” from the original FINAL FANTASY VII.
Silent Hill 2
Audio design is one of the most important technical features of a horror game, with it being a vital part of building the game’s atmosphere. This is especially important forpsychological horrors likeSilent Hill 2, where even the most subtle sound effects can have a dramatic impact on the player’s psyche. Thankfully,Silent Hill 2has some great audio design that cements its horror tone and atmosphere at every turn.
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.High-end Graphics and SoundWith ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the thick of it.Larger EnvironmentsExplore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.Over-the-shoulder CameraThe remake moves from the original’s fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.Evolved Combat GameplayFamiliar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
2017’sHellblade: Senua’s Sacrificewon that year’s Best Audio Design category at The Game Awards, and for good reason.Hellbladedeveloper Ninja Theoryimplemented a binaural audio system in a way that had never really been done before. In having the player experience sounds coming from all around them,Hellbladewas able to link the player’s experience directly to Senua’s. These constant, often overwhelming voices became a clear representation of Senua’s psychosis, and how it affected her life.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2took its predecessor’s binaural audio to the next level. On top of the returning voices inside Senua’s head,Hellblade 2uses its binaural audioto bring its world to life, adding more Foley effects than the first game and using the binaural system to place them realistically in the world. For instance, players will be able to hear waves crashing upon the rocks, and the closer they get to the sea, the louder those waves sound.
The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.A crafted experience of cinematic immersion:Sink deep into Senua’s world and story, with beautifully realized visuals and encapsulating sound.Senua’s unique perspective:Experience the world through Senua’s eyes and ears, as a Celtic warrior who experiences psychosis.A journey into Viking Iceland:An epic journey across 10th century Iceland, recreated from real locations in stunning detail.Every fight tells a story:Brutal and visceral combat as Senua battles for survival.
Final Prediction
While all five ofThe Game Awards 2024’s Best Audio Designnominees stand a solid chance of winning, it seems likeSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2might have the edge. Audio is an integral part ofHellblade 2’s experience, far more than in any other game on this list, and much like its 2017 predecessor, that’s probably going to result in it taking home the Game Award.
