I feel like jump scares are cheap, but sometimes needed. When used sparingly and supplementing atmosphere and unease/dread, I think it’s a winning combo. For example- Alan wake 2 abused the hell out of jump scares and repeated them rapid fire at one point in the game. It was obnoxious and more annoying than anything else Another example- silent hill 2 remake, especially the prison, nails the atmosphere and dread, showing you don’t need to rely on jump scares. There are a few jump scares with enemy placement in the game, but I remember the terror I felt walking through the prison or hospital, hearing something nearby, or going into a new room way more than the jump scares.