Forgive me as I’m sure this topic has been tried and true many times, but I can’t help but wonder what 343 was thinking when making the weapon sounds for this game.
The Human Weapons were recorded using audio from modern weapons. Only one problem. Why would they use MODERN weapons to replicate the sounds weapons from the 26th century make? We’re 500 years in the future, I would expect our weapons to sound a little more advanced and powerful. Honestly, all the human weapons sound extremely weak and half of them sound like they’re suppressed. Where’s that sense of power and confidence that came with shooting the Battle Rifle, Sniper or Shotgun in Halo 3? The Sniper Rifle in particular is an absolute joke and doesn’t have that deep echo with which we’ve all become accustomed. I think the root of the problem is lack of bass. There’s so much treble the weapon sounds sound shallow and weak rather than deep and powerful.
Now for the Covenant weapons. They all sound like suppressed human weapons…What happened to the alien, futuristic noise we experience in previous Halos? Most of them sound like under-powered laser-type weapons and frankly it’s not pleasant to listen to.
I think in their attempt to make the weapons sound ultra-realistic, they forgot that these weapons are futuristic (and alien in the case of Covenant weaponry) and as such should sound powerful and convincing.
Maybe it’s just me, but I am severely disappointed with the weapon soundtrack.