Best Open-World Games To Play With Headphones

Key Takeaways

• Open-world games like Caves Of Qud and Death Stranding rely on immersive soundscapes for atmosphere.
• Dredge and STALKER enhance gameplay with ambient sounds and sound design heightened with headphones.
• Games like Subnautica provide intense, immersive experiences with ominous soundscapes.

There are plenty of games, big and small, that feature open worlds. From massive franchises such as The Elder Scrolls and Fallout to incredibly minimalist exploration games such as A Short Hike, there’s something for all kinds of players.

Many of these games are focused on exploration and/or combat, but some open-world titles focus their efforts on creating an immersive atmosphere. This is helped dramatically by a well-crafted soundscape, something that is typically more immersive when playing with headphones.

7 Caves Of Qud

An Immersive, Alien Soundscape That Elevates Minimal Graphics

Caves Of Qud is an open-world roguelike RPG with a rich science-fantasy setting and an intricate character creator with countless possibilities. The careful blend of hand-crafted and procedural content and tactical turn-based combat offers a deep and diverse experience, but one of Caves Of Qud’s greatest strengths is arguably its dense atmosphere.

This atmosphere is facilitated by a sweeping, alien soundtrack and ambient sound design that’s tremendously immersive. This becomes all the more atmospheric when playing the game with headphones, working together with evocative writing to elevate the otherwise minimal presentation of the game.

6 Death Stranding

Tedious Traversing Of Dangerous Terrain, Elevated By Atmosphere

Certainly not for everyone, Death Stranding is a truly odd, one-of-a-kind game that succeeds with its sense of atmosphere and distinctive personality. The game tasks players with making long, arduous trips across dangerous terrain, but it’s elevated by a surreal narrative and an immersive atmosphere facilitated by solid sound design and a fitting soundtrack.

Death Stranding is an utterly strange game, packed with surreal and uncanny imagery, and the gameplay itself can be tedious at times. However, the expansive setting and immersive atmosphere are certainly worth experiencing, especially with headphones. This immersion is one of the game’s greatest strengths, turning some of the more tedious moments into enjoyable journeys.

5 Dredge

A Blend Of Tranquil Exploration And Lovecraftian Horror Elevated By Sound

This open-world fishing game features a stunning flat-color cartoon art style reminiscent of games such as The Legend Of Zelda: The Windwaker, as well as exploration-focused gameplay that’s remarkably accessible. It’s a charming and often relaxing experience, despite the elements of eldritch horror at its heart.

The melancholic soundtrack and immersive soundscape created by the sound design combine to offer players a truly atmospheric, soothing experience. Playing the game with headphones not only makes the experience more tranquil but also elevates the moments of horror by immersing players in the soundscape. Be it the quiet sloshing of the waters, or the spooky call-and-response between the fog horn and the terrors in the dark, Dredge is consistently elevated by its sound design.

4 STALKER: Shadow Of Chernobyl

Exploration-Heavy Gameplay Elevated By An Ambient Soundscape

STALKER: Shadow Of Chernobyl is a first-person shooter with a focus on survival gameplay and exploration. The game excels with its winning sense of atmosphere and melancholy, giving players an immersive experience despite rough-edged gameplay.

The ambient sounds and lived-in nature of STALKER’s world, combined with the wandering mobs and NPCs, make sound design an important aspect of the game. Not only mechanically, but atmospherically, too. Exploration is a core aspect of STALKER’s gameplay, and players must constantly be aware of their surroundings in order to survive. As a result, playing with headphones thoroughly elevates the experience.

3 Subnautica

An Underwater Survival Game With A Deep Sense Of Foreboding

Although Subnautica can be a relaxing experience at times, with its focus on underwater exploration and classic survival game base-building, it also contains elements of horror. Those who harbor a fear of the ocean and the creatures down deep may find Subnautica particularly unsettling.

It’s not a straight horror title, tuned more towards fans of survival games, but exploring the dark, deeper regions of Subnautica is a frequently spooky experience. However, the atmosphere of Subnautica’s oceanic open world is all the more immersive and often more intense, when wearing headphones.

2 Outer Wilds

A Quiet, Melancholic Adventure Best Experienced While Fully Immersed

Outer Wilds is an experience that won’t be for everyone, as it features little in the way of gameplay mechanics. However, it’s elevated by its expert sense of atmosphere. The game tasks players with traversing an open world both on foot and via a small, cozy spaceship, meeting characters, and solving puzzles.

This is a game that emphasizes exploration and patience above all else, and rewards players that soak in the rich atmosphere. The ambient sound design and charming, at times melancholic music is best experienced with headphones, especially for players looking to fully immerse themselves.

1 The Long Dark

Hardcore Survival With An Expertly-Crafted Soundscape

Hardcore survival gameplay and heavy simulation make The Long Dark a somewhat inaccessible experience on the surface. It’s a game that requires patience and thoughtful decision-making in order to succeed, and it can be frequently intense, but The Long Dark is also a surprisingly tranquil title.

The soothing sound of a crackling campfire and its life-giving warmth, the eerie whisper of the cold wind, or the spine-chilling howl of a distant wolf; the soundscape of The Long Dark does a great deal of heavy lifting in creating an immersive atmosphere for the player, and this is best enjoyed with headphones.