The boom in next-generation consoles with 3D audio has changed the gaming experience. The Xbox Series X and S both support the feature, and the PlayStation 5 uses an object-based system to locate in-game items as 3D objects around the player. For PS5 owners, things get even better as the Tempest system enables 3D audio through headphones as well. That means it’s well worth investing in a good pair. In honor of Roccat’s new Syn Pro Air headphones releasing on June 20, here’s a run down of five games that benefit the most from next-gen 3D audio.

Once you’ve picked up a pair of Syn Pro Air headphones, the games below should be the first titles you load up to make the most of 3D Audio on your next-gen console.

The latest web-slinging title doesn’t just look good, it sounds incredible too. You might expect the action superhero game to be the most impressive in its high octane moments, but Miles Morales proves that 3D audio can enhance in subtle ways too. As Miles explores Harlem, the background noise of passersby conversing and car horns are rendered seamlessly around you with 3D audio. At a time when many of us can’t travel, it’s cool that you can play Miles Morales and get a more immersive experience of New York beyond anything on the web.

The sixteenth installment in the Ratchet and Clank series has just come out, and the developers are keen to make the most of the PS5’s features. In an interview with IGN, game director Mike Daly said: “One of the nice things about it is that the sound designers more or less get to say whether a given thing needs to have 3D spectral audio, or traditional, depending on your sound output device. We did learn some lessons about what makes for good complimentary 3D spatial audio, where were the most effective places where we want players to pick up on a thing coming from a particular location.” Seems like it’s worth keeping an ear out for this new release!

If you want to make it to Valhalla, you had better have a good pair of headphones. One of the key differences between the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game is the addition of 3D audio. Given that the success of the action role-playing game hinges on its immersive environments, it’s a no-brainer. Also, if you can hear an enemy coming from behind you with 3D audio, you’ll be much more likely to keep your head.

The third-person, sci-fi shooter Returnal has been touted as one of the best showcases for 3D audio in gaming. Being able to gauge the direction of enemies will give you a much needed advantage in a title that combines the difficulty of roguelikes and bullet hell games. Loic Couthier, Returnal’s audio lead, refers to the “ear candy” that the game has on offer by saying: “the tactical advantage is huge because you gain on reaction time and can plan a strategy according to your awareness of the battlefield.” It also adds to the atmosphere — it turns out that in space, you can hear everyone scream.

You may have heard of the big lady, but did you know that Resident Evil Village goes big on sound? This list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the latest title in the horror franchise. The audio director, Wataru Hachisako, has commented that: “Whether it’s a cold winter breeze rattling a rooftop, the absence of sound that hides the presence of something hiding in the darkness, an adversary that jumps in front of the player, or the peaceful melody of the safe room, all of these elements are distinct and more profound with the addition of proper audio and music… 3D audio is really able to provide the player with a more impactful experience.” If horror is your jam, then you could do much worse than trying out 3D audio with Resident Evil Village.

The word on the street is that 3D audio is one of the next big things in video games, and any of the above titles should give you a taste of what’s on offer. Just remember that you won’t be able to enjoy the full benefit of the technology without a high-quality pair of headphones. Luckily, you’re in the right place for that.

Article author: Florence Smith Nicholls can be found on Twitter via @florencesn