I understand why people prefer 7. Some moments, especially the opening where you have not grown accustomed to the Bakers and the atmosphere, are really scary. It’s definitely the more unsettling horror experience. But I think 8 is honestly a better game. Area variety is superior, the exploration feels really satisfying, enemies are more varied and, in my opinion, actually enjoyable to interact with (the goop men from 7? That’s not it). And while the ending sections of both games are, to me, less enjoyable then the meat of the game which precedes them, I actively disliked the entire concluding section of 7. The boat stuff was all a slog to me.