Jump-scares: What's your opinion?

[bluel0bster]

IMO jump scares are fine if implemented correctly, not overused, and not abused. Amnesia is about as atmospheric as games come, with minimal jump scares. Of course, jump scares are, to an extent, required in any horror game. I'd argue a purely atmospheric, environmental horror game wouldn't be nearly as scary with a complete absence of jump scares. Some games use jump scares way too much though, such as dead space.

While I've played through the original dead space and I'd definitely say it's a truly scary experience. The fear of necromorphs jumping out from the shadows is somewhat minimalized by the ability to gun them down with ease and the lack of a build-up to the jump scares, both of which are addressed amazingly well by amnesia. Building up a jump scare properly is, IMO, more important than the jump scare itself.