The RFG reviews are in!

A familiar saying among audio people is that “the best soundtrack is the one you don’t notice”. Reviewers and critics are in the business of noticing things, but even the largest review sites often decline to mention audio at all, while writing at length about texture maps and character models. I guess that means we’re doing our jobs like a flock of ninja!

Other reviewers, however, think audio is as worthy of critique as any other aspect of a game’s presentation and style — whether or not it stands out on its own, or involves unusual hype or big names. My rainbow hat goes off to them! Here is a sampling of what they have said about Red Faction Guerrilla:

“…the various explosions, gunfire, building collapses, and other sound effects are uniformly impressive. The solid “thunk” you’ll hear every time you use your sledgehammer is especially satisfying.” –Gamespot.com

“…The audio quality is likewise just as wonderful in that the sound effects are full and rich. The weapon sounds are accurate and that naturally makes for better game play. The music really adds a great dimension to the game.” –GameSHOUT.com

“…the weapons look the part and sound authentic, and the quaking of toppling towers and the thunder of explosions have real weight to them. Throw in some excellent music that genuinely adds tension and substance without overpowering the action..” AceGamez.co.uk

“Some serviceable music tracks and sound effects.” –IGN. Oh, IGN. :))) But hey, that’s 7 more words than sound got from Kotaku or 1up, and Destructoid used the word “sounds” twice as a synonym of “seems” without ever talking about audio. Come on, guys, seriously?

“Forget vengeance. Forget liberty. The cheesy action movie story is background noise to the sound of 12 bombs crippling a skyscraper, tires tearing across a craggy Mars, and a sledgehammer smashing the skull of EDF infantry. Good times.” –Gameshark

“Almost as good as the graphics is the professional voice acting and brilliant soundtrack that just adds to the atmosphere of the title. The sound effects truly RUMBLE through a surround sound system and sometimes you need to play this game loud.” –ImpulseGamer.com

“Lets start out with the cons…or con of this game. I couldn’t wrap my mind around any problems beside the music, which is annoying. After you simply turn off the music, the game doesn’t really have any problems at all.” –Gamer-pulse.com

“The sound effects are decent but not extremely remarkable and the music is absolutely top notch. Yes, out of all the noise, booms and bangs the game offers, the most aurally pleasant aspect is the symphonic yet futuristic music that surrounds and adjusts to whatever may be happening at that given moment. They are definitely the kind of tunes you will find yourself humming after shutting off the game for the night.” — Game-Over.com

“com agrado que se ouve por vezes uma música de fundo orquestral que tanto prazer voz irá dar. Não opta por OST com músicas a passar na rádio mas sim por uma abordagem mais clássica.” –Eurogamer.pt

“I wouldn’t mind a stand-alone soundtrack of this game, the music is excellent and the composer has done a top job of capturing each musical theme for the various sectors. The music is dynamic so it shifts to match what’s going on and can serve as an audio cue for impending doom.” –GamesXtreme.com

“Sound: 10.0. Stunningly great music, crystal clear sound effects (though they need a little tweaking to not have the music drown out some radio chatter) and wonderful voice acting. This is treat for your sound system.” –TotalPlaystation.com

If you’ve gotten this far and are wishing you could post reviews like this about something you worked on.. Well, come work across the hall from me! I have a never-ending bowl of jellybeans, pixel art posters with carefully hidden naked girls, and something like 825 terabytes of sound libraries.