Summary
- Games are integrating voice recognition for diverse gameplay experiences.
- Voice commands add tension & immersive elements to survival horror & RPG games.
- Unique voice-driven games require players to vocally interact with the environment.
The gaming industry is always coming up with new and exciting ways to play games. Rather than relying simply on thumb and finger dexterity and reflex speed, more games are starting to bring another factor into play — the human voice.
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PostsVoice recognition in gaming can come in two main forms — either by recognizing any sound that comes through your microphone or interpreting players’ speech patterns into specific words or phrases to control an element of the game. This can result in some uniquely exhilarating or terrifying moments of gameplay — from barking commands to your troops in combat or having to stay completely silent to hide from monsters.
Updated November xxth, 2024 by Hilton Webster: TLong before we had voice chat in games, microphones still had a role to play in actual gameplay. Keeping quiet to hide from enemies, shouting commands and hoping the mic understands you. It adds an extra level of you, the player, to the game. Voice recognition has only gotten better over the years, making some of the newer games in this list a real treat to play with your own voice.
22 A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead
Survival Horror Horror Released October 17, 2024 Developer(s) Stormind Games Publisher(s) Saber Interactive Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC Powered by Expand CollapseFor anyone that has seen the A Quiet Place films, you'll know the main premise, though it doesn't take much to pick up on it. You have to be silent, with any loud noises attracting the attention of the deadly monsters that was pushed humanity to the point of nigh-extinction.
The Road Ahead is a new story in this world, though not all that dissimilar to the films. While trying to escape, you have to managed your sound meter, and the game lets you add your own mic to the mix for some added tension. Just don't get too angry when the constant jump scares attract the mosnter to you.
21 Skyrim
Skyrim
RPG Action Adventure Released November 11, 2011 Developer(s) Bethesda Publisher(s) Bethesda Platform(s) PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, PS4, PS5, Switch Powered by Expand CollapseIt's hard to envision a world pre-Skyrim with how much it changed the gaming landscape. What is even harder to fathom is what vanilla Skyrim looked like, because it is easily one of the most heavily modded games in history. Part of those modding efforts are in bringing the previously Xbox-exclusive voice recognition commands to PC.
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PostsOn the original Kinect version of the game, this let you speak the words of each shout to perform them, even letting you go word-by-word rather than using the whole shout. PC mods have gone a step further, allowing whole conversations to be performed with your own voice.
20 Alien Isolation
Alien: Isolation
Survival Horror 9.0/10 Released October 7, 2014 Developer(s) Creative Assembly Publisher(s) Sega Platform(s) PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, PC, Android, iOS Powered by Expand CollapseIn the pantheon of horror games where you are primarily helpless and need to priotisie evasion to survive, Alien Isolation has always ranked incredibly highly. From recreating the vibes of the films, to creating a genuinely enticing threat for you to avoid, the game has been applauded for just how horrifying it is to play.
With the Xenomorph already incredibly keen on hearing, why not throw some extra challenge your way - your own voice. Completely optional and somewhat clunky, Alien Isolation allows you to add your mic so any noises you make are relayed in game. And the Xenomorph has very sensitive hearing.
19 Lurking
Lurking has a very interesting premise that makes it stand out among games that use your microphone. Although it already has a newer spiritual successor in Stifled, it still comes out as the superior title because it really leans into its mechanics well.
In this tense horror adventure, you are in pitch-black darkness and the only way you can see your surroundings is by sound. You can throw objects or use your mic to create sound waves that show your environment, much like a bat. The only problem is that there are enemies that, yes, lurk around and track your movement using sound, too.
18 Scream Go Hero
Scream Go Hero is basically like Stick Hero, but instead of building stick bridges to get to the next platform, you control your hero’s jump by screaming. How high and far they go depends on how loud you go. Tiny jumps call for soft grunts while long stretches will require a sustained note that could earn you a Grammy.
Thankfully, you can just scream as loud as you want with no regard for how you sound. As long as you get to the next platform, you’re good to go! It’s a truly fun experience, as long as you don’t have angry neighbors. This is a true voice game, except you may just lose said voice after about ten levels.
17 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Adventure Visual Novel Released October 12, 2001 Developer(s) Capcom Production Studio 4 Publisher(s) Capcom Platform(s) Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PC, Wii, iOS Powered by Expand CollapseThose that played Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney in its original DS release form will know that it was possible to use the game’s voice recognition to say iconic lines like “Objection!” This wasn’t just for fun, either, as the game actually reads the command as it would if you just chose a course of action through the buttons.
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PostsIn its Steam re-release, this function is not natively available. That said, it can still be restored if you dabble in some modding. It’s worth it for the drama alone.
16 There Came An Echo
In this sci-fi, real-time strategy adventure game brings you on an intergalactic adventure through space, leading a small battle squadron of your own men against aliens.
By using voice commands to guide your squad to victory, you need to be both analytical and cautious as a full-fledged commander. 'There Came An Echo' follows the story of cryptographer Corrin Webb's struggle against unnameable enemies while finding a way to solve the mystery of his own algorithm Radial Lock. With famous voice actors like Laura Bailey involved, this is sure to be an unforgettable journey through the stars.
15 Escape The Ayuwoki
This first-person horror voice game is essentially hide-and-seek, where the monster called the 'Ayuwoki' is basically based on a creepypasta of a horrendous parody of Michael Jackson.
After a summoning ritual gone awry, you must strive to escape from this haunted mansion whilst evading the attention of the Ayuwoki. In this game, you must stay as silent as possible in order not to be heard by the Ayuwoki. That's right, as well as being stealthy, be careful not to let it hear you breathe or hum through the microphone.
14 Welcome To The Game
Welcome To The Game
Horror Simulation Released June 15, 2016 Platform(s) PC, macOS Developer Reflect Studios Publisher Reflect Studios Powered by Expand CollapseThis psychological horror, hacking simulation game that launched in 2016 takes you into the darker side of the internet. You explore the deep, dark Web with the intention of finding a kidnapped girl before she is killed.
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PostsBut the caveat is that you must stay as quiet as possible in order to avoid being detected by her kidnappers. In some cases, even a slight breath could send the kidnappers to your location. They'd stand behind you until it's too late for you to notice, so keeping vigilant and silent is imperative in beating this game and saving the girl.
13 The Broken Seal
In a similar breadth to In Verbis Virtus, The Broken Seal uses the mechanics of voice commands in order to cast powerful spells. This RPG open-world action-adventure sees you battle monstrous creatures and with spells uttered with your voice.
As suggested by the game's title, a bevvy of horrendous beasts has flooded the world after a magical seal keeping them at bay broke. It's up to you to utilize all the spells in your arsenal and defeat them to restore balance to this monster-ridden world. For a game with voice recognition, it could use some work, but it's still truly satisfying to see magic come to life in VR with your command.
