While the best Skyrim mods can add everything from whole new sets of nature-themed spells and magic to the ability to skate Lydia in Bethesda's biggest Elder Scrolls game, sometimes it's the most subtle-sounding mods that can make the most dramatic contributions. In fact, subtle sounds are the theme of the day, as this update to the fantasy game reworks all the ambient sounds you'll hear as you travel through Skyrim.
The Regional Sounds Expansion mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim by creator DylanJamesWasTaken is a massive overhaul of the sounds of cities, dungeons and open spaces in an open world game. It's based on an old mod called Audio Overhaul for Skyrim, but extracts the atmospheric parts of it and uses them extensively to help really sell Skyrim's real-world fantasy.
Personally, I have always considered the experience of being in the world of Skyrim its true worth. The quests are decent, the combat is passable, and the RPG systems offer enough depth to keep you coming back; but the real magic of Skyrim lies in how well everything comes together in a world that feels alive and entices you to explore every nook and cranny. As such, it's hard to emphasize what good surround sound design can bring to the table when it comes to bringing that experience to life.
The Regional Sounds Expansion offers "subtle and unobtrusive" sounds that offer something "significantly more vibrant and varied compared to what's available in the base game". Walk the tundra of Whiterun and you'll hear the breeze blow over the open grassy fields as insects buzz and scour the desert. Climb to the Reach and you'll encounter strong winds, the cries of eagles echoing through the mountains, and rocks falling from cliffs. Stroll through the swamps of Hjaalmarch and be stopped by the eerily dead atmosphere, riddled with the cawing of the local amphibian population.
On the other hand, head to the nearest town or city and you'll hear how the mod is a mix of a custom foul and the game's original, rebalanced sound portfolio to replicate the hustle and bustle of Skyrim's various settlements. You'll hear residents going about their business, screams in the distance, and more to mimic traffic in more intense traffic without feeling forced or unrealistic. In addition, local ambience has been added to built-up areas where appropriate, such as the whistle of the wind in the rocky valleys of Markarth.
If you like it all and are ready to feel like you are really there, you can check out Skyrim regional sounds expansion mod on Nexus Mods.
