Best Sound Effects and Music
Graphics are overhyped. They’re often attributed as being the sole most important aspect of a game, and not without reason. But the sound effects, music and overall immersion each provides play an equally important role in video games. When you look at titles like System Shock 2 and their penchant for terrifying us, using nothing but effective sound design, then one can understand the difference it makes. The same goes for an effective soundtrack and working in conjunction with the game’s visual style; the music is what really hits hardest, conveying emotions that just can’t be put into words. It was a tough competition to find the Best Sound Effect and Music in a 2013 game but here are our nominees.
Nominees:
-Grand Theft Auto V
– Outlast
– Battlefield 4
– The Last of Us
– Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
– Ryse: Son of Rome
Winner: The Last of Us
Academy Award winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla is no slouch when it comes to composing effective musical scores, having had experience with movies such as Babel and Brokeback Mountain. But to rely on a simple guitar score for Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us, conveying an air of despair and barrenness, is what puts him above and beyond the remaining nominees. Yes, Grand Theft Auto V was a big hit with its music score and various licensed artists. But in terms of conveying emotions beyond description, Santaolalla’s score is hard to beat. That’s not counting the excellent range of sound effects in the game. Listen to the Clickers’ cry once and it won’t leave you for days. On the overall strength of its sound and music, The Last of Us is our pick for the Best Sound Effects and Music of 2013.
