ThePS5already has the awesome 3D Tempest 3d audio technology, but Dolby Atmos takes things to a whole new level. It works by filling in smaller spaces within normal audio with more accurate sounds that accentuate the overall output with much greater clarity and detail.
It’s especially noticeable in Dolby Atmos-supported games that feature complex soundscapes and already great sound designs. Here are eight PS5 games that really make the most out of Dolby Atmos.
Dolby Atmos for PS5 currently only supports devices that have an HDMI output from the console, such as TVs, soundbars, and speakers, and does not work with headphones.
Returnal’s alien, otherworldly atmosphere is a great place for Atmos to shine. The game throws you into the mysterious and hostile planet of Atropos. It mixes third-person shooting with roguelike elements, being a relatively unique first-party game from PlayStation.
Atmos enhances the game’s already incredible sound design. The alien environments feel even more terrifying with all of the rain and sounds of alien creatures and machinery. This game also supports PlayStation 5’s 3D Audio, which makes it even better.
The horror atmosphere of 2023’s stellarDead Space Remakeis further amplified with Dolby’s backing. The game brought back the classic survival horror experience with stunning modern graphics and much-improved gameplay and backtracking.
You play as Isaac Clarke, an engineer trapped on the massive USG Ishimura, a ship overrun by terrifying alien creatures called Necromorphs. The game’s pretty scary as it is, but the enhanced audio makes these creatures and their variants so much scarier. Although, the quieter moments in this game can feel much, much more intense than the actual horror ones.
The lush landscapes of Horizon Forbidden West give it a lot of opportunity to make the best use of Atmos. During combat especially, you can really hear the mechanical sounds ofvarious machine creaturesand their parts that can be detached after continuous damage.
As for the rest of the game, the forests and waterfalls are where the game’s audio really shines as well, combined with the DualSense’s haptic feedback which reacts differently to all of these varying biomes.
Bluepoint Games is consideredthe king of remakes, and the Demon’s Souls Remake was a very strong offering, releasing on the same day as the PS5 console itself. It remains one of the best games on the console, holding up extremely well against modern competition, and is also a standout for a game that truly felt next-gen back in 2020.
The clashing of swords, the sound of metallic armor scraping as you dodge and roll, and the slashes against the enemies, all sound even better with Atmos. The gothic music and atmosphere of the game feels much better thanks to this, and it makes the game a tad bit more immersive than it already is.
The Last of Us Part 2 already has one of the best sound designs in a video game, especially more so for its various guns. The gunshots are further amplified with Atmos, making them feel much more impactful and tactile, especially the shotguns and the hunting rifles for both Ellie and Abby.
You can hear the difference between the echo of a gunshot in small rooms as compared to more open areas, and the sounds of breaking glass and even the infected are much more accurate.
It’s important to note that the PS4 version running on PS5 via backward compatibility doesn’t support Atmos, only the PS5 remastered version does.
Resident Evil 4 Remakebrings back one of the most beloved survival horror games ever made with cutting-edge graphics and numerous gameplay improvements, much in line with Resident Evil 2 and 3’s remakes. The game expanded on various aspects of the original, making an already iconic game even better.
Atmos makes the game’s sound design even more accurate. Things like the sound of various enemies muttering in the distance during the Village section of the game, as well as areas where you’re surrounded by mobs of enemies coming at you all at once, all of these feel much more hectic. Not to mention the sound design of its numerous light and heavy weapons, all of which feel impactful and hard-hitting.
The seventh entry in the long-running Gran Turismo series is one of the most realistic racing games ever made. It features a massive selection of cars and tracks, with incredibly detailed graphics and physics. The handling of each car feels distinct, and the sound design is a big part of this.
The sounds of the engines, the tire screeches, and zooming through the rain all receive Atmos enhancements. The positioning of other cards behind you is also more accurate with this. The game is already a pretty authentic racing experience, and the audio enhancements take it a step further.
You might’ve noticed a pattern here with all of these remakes and their stellar sound designs. Both Final Fantasy 7 Remake and its even better sequel, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth apply here, primarily because oftheir amazing soundtracks. Whether it’s during the intense combat scenarios or the more melancholic scenes, the soundtrack is a big part of both of these games.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth takes this one step further, with more than 175 songs. Some of these are created specifically for certain side quests only, while others are grand and orchestral, and they’re best heard with Atmos’ enhancements.
