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Marathon 2's greatest use of sound is in the ancillary music that oozes out of every nook and cranny of the game world. Machines whir and click in the background as the player explores, while alien soldiers make strange, otherworldly chatter as they close in for the kill. Unfortunately, some of the sound effects in Marathon 2 sounded a bit weak and out of place--the machine-gun clatter of the assault rifle sounded tinny and hollow, while the zap of many alien weapons was less than intimidating. The stereo panning is used to good effect, however, with sound effects coming from the appropriate direction either to the left or right of the player. Strangely, there isn't much music in Marathon 2, although the hard-driving intro score was composed by The Power of Seven.

Quake's score was created by none other than Trent Reznor, the lead singer and driving force behind Nine Inch Nails. Reznor's tracks are filled with harsh, contrasting tones and rhythms, giving Quake a surging undercurrent of audio that surrounds you in a discordant shower, perfect for goading on the fury-filled death machine that glints in every Quakester's eye. Reznor's work on Quake's sound effects is equally impressive, from the staccato report of the nail gun to the bass rumble of an exploding grenade.

Marathon 2's panning stereo sounds good, but it loses points because some of the sound effects felt out of place. Conversely, Quake's sound effects and music are some of the best yet in a computer game.

next round: graphic violence