Scripted jump scares provide a one-time shock, but systemic AI creates long-term dread.
Show the aftermath of the adversary’s path—shattered doors, cryptic markings, or "warning" corpses—to build a mental image of their power. 2. The Illusion of Agency 13-developing_dread_through_adversaries.mkv
The best adversaries reflect the player's vulnerabilities or the story's themes. Scripted jump scares provide a one-time shock, but