Specialising and Exhibiting - Sound for ScreenYear 2

How Unravel uses sound design/music to tell a story PT 1

The exquisite music by Henrik Oja acts as the game’s emotional compass, adapting dynamically to events that occur in-game. The soundtrack adapts to the story’s emotional ups and downs with ease, which heightens player immersion and emotional resonance. The game skillfully incorporates field recordings, imitating the faint rustles of leaves and far-off bird calls, to create a tangible sense of immersion in the natural world.


Yarny, the main character in Unravel, is given more depth and nuance thanks to the deft Foley work. Every interaction with the surroundings and every yarny footstep is painstakingly crafted. Yarny’s emotions and actions are remarkably accurately conveyed by these auditory subtleties, which also provide crucial context.Unravel makes extensive use of ambient storytelling and subtle audio cues. In order to decipher narrative hints through sound, players must actively interact with the surroundings. This method forces players to set out on a quest for knowledge, resulting in a deep bond with the plot. The sound design skillfully creates tension at pivotal points in the game. The combination of sound effects and music intensifies the sense of urgency, keeping players emotionally engaged and involved the entire time.


The rich and sympathetic connection that is created between players, the game’s world, and the characters is a result of Unravel’s masterful sound design. The story’s emotional depth is emphasised by the incorporation of cutting-edge audio techniques, which makes it a prime example of sound design in gaming as an art form.

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