Gunshot audio feels muffled and lacks environmental impact
I believe the current combat audio may be bugged or needs further tuning. Compared to the previous version, the weapon sounds feel like a noticeable downgrade. Gunshots currently sound very muffled, hollow, and suppressed regardless of the environment. In open areas, I would expect shots to have a sharper crack and more impact, but instead they often sound as if the player is constantly inside a small, enclosed room. There seems to be very little distinction between indoor and outdoor acoustics. I understand the work that went into the new audio system, but I think gunfire may need to be slightly more stylized and impactful rather than purely subtle or realistic, so the player can properly feel the power of each shot. I also have difficulty hearing enemy bullet trajectories, bullet cracks/whizzes, and impacts around the player. Because of this, during firefights the audio mix can become confusing and it is difficult to understand where incoming fire is coming from. Another issue is the drone audio. The drones currently sound very different from what was presented in the trailers. The trailer audio gave them a much more distinctive, aggressive, and immersive presence, while in the current version their sound feels much less impactful and recognizable. Overall, gunshots, bullet flybys, impacts, drones, and environmental acoustics currently feel less clear, less dynamic, and less impactful than in the previous version and compared to what was showcased in the trailers.