The best Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X games have the power to transform your gaming experience through the wonders of spatial audio. If you haven't figured out what Dolby Atmos can do yet, this list of select games provides perfect examples of why the audio format is so popular (even Apple chose Dolby Atmos over the alternatives).
It's fair to say that Dolby's object-based technology has been leading the way for a few years, and luckily for Xbox owners, it's been available on the platform since 2019. While not all games offer native Dolby Atmos support, those that offer exceptional sound quality and offer a truly immersive experience to boot.
Dolby describes its Atmos technology as "the most significant development in cinema audio since surround sound“And while this may be the subject of intense debate among audiophiles, there is no doubt that Atmos offers a less compelling surround sound solution to more people than ever before because it works with any pair of headphones.
As gamers will attest, surround sound can be very beneficial whether you're playing competitively or simply wanting to be completely absorbed in what you're playing. Dolby Atmos tries to facilitate this by making it seem like the sound is coming from everywhere, as well as from above, and the effect can often be surprising.
These Xbox Series X Dolby Atmos games show you what the spatial audio format can do.
(Image credit: Activision)
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Call of Duty: War Zone
Call of Duty: Warzone has excellent sound design. There's an astonishing amount of detail in the game's audio, whether you're loading a mag into one of Warzone's many weapons or holding your breath as you line up this long-range sniper shot, every action looks incredibly realistic.
Dolby Atmos provides an extra layer of fidelity to what is already lavish gaming. With players regularly coming from the skies and running downstairs when you're locked in a building, Dolby Atmos can really help you determine the exact location of your enemy before it's too late. In a game where margins can often be extremely slim, you'll need every competitive edge you can get.
(Image credit: Microsoft Game Studios)
Ori and the will of the wisps
A truly magical Xbox Series X game, Ori and the Will of the Wisps has outstanding graphics and a harrowing story, but it doesn't skimp on sound quality either.. Although the game takes place entirely on a fixed 2D plane, Dolby Atmos does a great job of separating out subtle sounds to help you immerse yourself in the maze-like levels teeming with hostile creatures.
The game's evocative orchestral soundtrack also benefits from the added clarity that Dolby Atmos provides, with each string instrument really bringing out the powerful crescendos during some of Ori's most dangerous moments.
(Image credit: Microsoft Studios)
Forza Horizon 4
Racing through the British countryside is a spectacular sight in Forza Horizon 4, but supported by Dolby Atmos, driving feels 'radiant', as some Brits would say. You really get a taste of what it's like to commandeer some of the game's ridiculously expensive supercars, the engines creating a sonic cacophony as you walk through a tunnel or wander wildly under a festival arch as the rain pours down.
With the game's multiple camera angles, you can choose to isolate yourself from the cheering crowd in the cockpit view and enjoy Forza Horizon 4's great radio stations, or listen carefully when using the hood camera while driving. They break the tires of your car. on the asphalt. It's a car enthusiast's dream.
(Image credit: Capcom)
Resident Evil 2
Dolby Atmos makes the prowling presence of Mr. X from Resident Evil 2 even more terrifying, along with the hordes of zombies you encounter. The harrowing sound of Mr. X's heavy footsteps approaching will be all too familiar to those who've played Capcom's excellent remake, but with Dolby Atmos turned on, the threat can feel terrifyingly real as it rapidly approaches.
However, there is a silver lining to being afraid. Dolby's spatial audio can help you pinpoint exactly where Mr. X is hiding before he unceremoniously bursts through the nearest door to rip your throat out. That doesn't make their presence any less annoying, of course, but whatever advantage we can gain in escaping from this massive monster, the better.
(Image credit: The Coalition)
Gears 5
Gears 5 is an excellent all-round showcase for Dolby Atmos spatial audio. You'll be exploring large open areas like a frozen wasteland and duking it out in claustrophobic underground corridors, so there are plenty of environments and locations that have their own distinctive soundscapes.
Whether you're going through a nervous cricket or listening to the bloodcurdling scream of a 'juvenile' before an impending attack, Gears 5 offers compelling spatial sound that's worth paying for the Dolby Atmos license. It can also be a subtle competitive advantage in the game's multiplayer, as it's easier to spot when an enemy is crouched behind a barricade about to be attacked from behind.
(Image credit: Dolby)
How to get the most out of Dolby Atmos
Despite what you may have heard, Dolby Atmos works in any headset, but you have to buy a license if you want to use it., which costs $15 / €10.99 / AU$19. Some TVs like the LG OLED CX also support Atmos through the TV's built-in speaker; However, if you really want to get the most out of Dolby's spatial audio, we recommend using a quality pair of over-ear headphones or a Dolby Atmos surround sound setup if you really want to do it all.
Most people are likely to go for headphones because of the convenience and lower cost, and if you go this route, we recommend that you choose a pair of headphones that are open rather than closed. Open headphones tend to provide a much better soundstage than closed pairs, which really helps bring spatial audio to life. You want the sound to feel like it's all around you, and not contained in your head, so to speak.
The Xbox Series X Dolby Atmos app also lets you choose from a variety of equalizer settings., and you can even create your own. It's a great tool for customizing the sound to your liking, especially if you want more bass or want to turn up the treble to better hear footsteps. Once your settings are locked in, your games will never sound better.
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