If You Play These Games Without Headphones You're Missing Out...

10 Video Games Best Played With Headphones

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at the 10 games you ought to play with your headset on at all times!

“Call of Duty” series (2003-)

Given how frequently we get a new “Call of Duty” game, it can be hard to appreciate what the games do really well. And regardless of which studio helms the next one, every game manages to nail the sound design. The heft and power of each gun can be heard with every shot. Plus, with headphones, you can hear the confirmation cues of hits and kills better. If you got the TV speakers to help you play better, more power to you. But with headphones, you get a better sense of when you’re hitting your target.

“Alien: Isolation” (2014)

We aren’t recommending you play “Alien: Isolation” with headphones just because of jumpscares. We aren’t even recommending it for loud noises or the music. No, what makes “Alien: Isolation” scarier with headphones is the ambience, the lack of active noises being made in most rooms. It’s enough to make you keep your guard up, and once you hear noises, you’ll know it’s time to start hiding in lockers and underneath desks! Besides, you’ll be kept in suspense longer until you hear your pursuer finally start to walk away. Good thing there’s no mic detection in this game.

“Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice” (2017)

For those who really do want to submerge themselves in the role of a video game’s protagonist, “Hellblade” is definitely a game where headphones are required to reach that level of immersion. This is a game that will really get inside your head as you bear witness to Senua experiences. With headphones, you’ll hear every noise she hears in addition to the voices that are constantly berating Senua with conflicting feelings. It adds another layer to “Hellblade’s” madness that only further emphasizes the horrors of psychosis.

“Tekken 8” (2024)

Whereas most of our entries give headphones more of a mechanical or competitive purpose, we’re highlighting “Tekken 8” purely on feeling. “Tekken 8” is just way more exhilarating to play when you have your best headset on! Every punch and kick sounds more impactful, and the kickass music blasting in your ears will get you pumped up for every match! If you already have a good sound system for your TV and prefer that, then more power to you. But if you want to immerse yourself in the fights and get that adrenaline going, plug those headphones in and get ready for the next battle!

“Dead By Daylight” (2016)

For a Survivor player, headphones are more of a luxury than anything else. You can easily tell when the Killer is approaching if you already use the visual heartbeat. So, the only use headphones are really good for is countering whatever Killers might be packing perks or add-ons that grant Undetectable. For Killer players, however, headphones are a borderline necessity. “Dead By Daylight” contains some sounds that can help you track Survivors closer. Wander around an area, and you might hear a Survivor breathing heavily or an injured Survivor muffling their grunts and moans from inside a locker. You’ll even be able to hear footsteps clearer than a set of TV speakers could, so all you Killer players might want to consider buying a set of headphones or earbuds if you haven’t already.

“Fortnite” (2017)

Most of us who are playing “Fortnite” are probably already using the visual radius to help detect enemy players. At that point, why even bother using a headset at all? Well, headphones grant you an edge a visual radius never can - positional audio. “Fortnite” makes every enemy player’s footsteps loud enough to where you can better pinpoint where exactly they may be. This will allow you to possibly ambush them before they can figure out where you are. You can also get a better sense of where gunfights are happening and how far they may be from you than what the compass indicates.

“Gran Turismo 7” (2022)

Every “Gran Turismo” player would know why anyone would recommend headphones when playing a game, especially GT7. Developer Polyphony Digital has been somewhat notorious (in a good way) for being meticulous when developing the next “Gran Turismo”. Part of their process is capturing every distinct sound you could hear in motorsports. Every car’s engine sounds exactly as they would in the real world. Every track replicates the same audio levels and ambience as they do in the real world. Every “i” is dotted, every “t” is crossed”, and every sound comes out just the way it should to fully immerse you in this virtual world of motorsports. Trust us - GT7 is totally different when played with the best headphones you can get.

“Red Dead Redemption 2” (2018)

Rockstar can be just as meticulous in developing games as Polyphony can be, but it’s to a point where some may call it egregious. Those that appreciate sound design, on the other hand, will find plenty to love when playing “Red Dead 2” with headphones. Between the noisy gunfights and cowboys hollering, you’ll be able to hear every sound of nature. The birds whistling, the snakes hissing, other predators crawling around, the wind blowing against bushes and trees… It all comes alive in such a way that it's like you’re enjoying the great outdoors. Just with A/C and none of the moments where Mother Nature nearly kills you.

“Dead Space” (2023)

We know we’ve raved about “Dead Space” so many times across a multitude of videos, but this remake of the 2008 original is absolutely one of the best horror games to play with headphones! If you’re someone who is a bit skittish, though, it might be in your best interest to sit this one out. “Dead Space” has so many subtle and sudden noises that will keep you on edge throughout your playthrough. The sound of metal creaking and grates banging out of the floor and ceiling will jolt even the most strong-willed players. At least you’ll be able to tell when a Necromorph is sneaking up behind you!

“God of War” (2018)

While “Ragnarok” does have some pretty solid sound design, there was something truly special about the 2018 “God of War”. When played with Sony’s own headset - the big, cushy, expensive one, the realm of Midgard came to life. Every blow Kratos dealt sounded more vicious than before. The ambience of each world had their own distinct atmosphere with rhythms of noises you wouldn’t hear in other realms. And Odin’s damn birds were a lot easier to find once you heard their dumb caws! The sound design here was just far too magical to not play with headphones, and if you played through the whole game without a pair, you missed out.

What’s a game you feel is best played while wearing headphones? Did it make our list? Share with us in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to MojoPlays for more great videos everyday!