Game Title: Transformers Fall of Cybertron
Your name: Rick van den Akker
Pretty or ugly: ugly
Description:
Audio logs have become increasingly popular over recent years as a way to easily add extra backstory while encouraging player exploration. However, sometimes it gets in the way of the flow of the game.
This game, Transformers Fall of Cybertron, is a good example of that. There are multiple audio logs spread over the various levels, and when picked up, they will play automatically while the player is left free to walk around.
However, if the player does not stop to listen to them, he/she will run across a situation where character dialogue is triggered, and the logs are immediately cut off. They do not continue after the dialogue has ended, and if the player wants to listen to them again, they will have to go through the hassle of poking around the special features menus.
In short, bad audio design that rewards the player for exploring, then punishes them for continuing to play the game.