10 Most Effective Jump Scares In Sci-Fi Games

Don't look out the window.

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[Joseph-zsb]

The biggest jumpscare I've experienced was seeing the price for a new PS5 controller. I'm still in therapy... and debt.

[schools]

The Reaper Leviathan roar and grabbing your mini-sub was a very welcome jump scare in a sort of non-horror videogame Subnautica!

[BeanyBop]

This is a bit of a throw back, but two games spring to mind for me.

The first being FEAR 2 . The god damn school level.

And the second being " condemned 2 ".

Those games were just full of scares.


Number one for me however is the tentacle jump scare in Deadspace 1 . Man that just gets your pants brown....

[finkelmana]

The fact that Alma from F.E.A.R. is not on this list - much less #1 - means you have failed at this list.

[swordbladez]

Condemned on Xbox 360… The Combat system has you fight all manner of enemies hand to hand. The darkness coupled with the eerie nature of story puts you on edge the whole time. By the time you get to the department store mannequins or the doll factory, it’s a guarantee you’ll be jumping at either the movement of the scenes (scripted and freaky) or an enemy you didn’t see as they blindside grab you while you watch! It’s an excellent game though!

[austin.....]

I’ll add when you first land on Giants Deep in Outer Wilds… I almost had a heart attack. The immense gravity pulling you in no matter how committed you were, and the sudden hellscape that appears the moment you enter it’s atmosphere. Horrifying.

[kavinaderrow]

I love how suspenseful Subnautica was. From the limited field of view at night to the creepy soundtrack, you always knew you were the only human on that isolated ball of blue.

[alexstockwell]

Fallout 4: The Mirelurk Queen at the bottom of the Massachusetts State House. Generally, when you have Mirelurks, it isn't unexpected to have a Queen pop up. When you're outside. When you're at the bottom of a ruined building, then it's a bit more of a surprise. Especially when it jumps out of the water right in front of you. Pants to be darkened!

[thenixx]

Worst jumpscare on in dead space for me was the first one, near the beginning when you run into the elevator. Which are always safe. Not here! Nearly died

[GoForthNDie]

The first time coming across hunters in Dying light, and even after still can get me to this day.

[DMBLaan]

Hey, clips from Big Dan Gaming! Didn't expect that, lol.

[ciaranbrennan]

The Dentist.... that fecker...every fecking time

[argeniscanez]

I think that Bioshock's 3 trumpet guy almost at the end is scarier than the dentist. You press a button or pull a lever and when you turn 180, there is a trumpet head guy and honks haha

[Sunprism]

The Outer Wilds...if you happen to decide to follow those mysterious lights in the mist at full speed

[WolfyFancyLads]

As someone who's seen both, I'd argue the Remake Dead Space has a terrible jumpscare ending. The original is instant, it's just "Who's th-BLAH!". The remake feels like she needs to unbuckle her seatbelt and climb over the chair first, it's too slow. Less Jumpscare, more Hopscare.

Also, I would recommend Home as a great spook game. There's one single jumpscare (a pipe hissing steam) but the entire game feels like something is going to happen. Nothing does and a second playthrough isn't as scary, but that constant dread is very well written.

[chrisjones]

Outer Wilds.

There are a few possible candidates for excellent jump scares in it - not least the first time you accidentally upset the giant angler fish. Even though you can see them and you know they're there, the sudden horrible screech and the violent jerk into motion will get ya. But the worst one would be getting caught by one of the Owl-Elk aliens in its DLC, Echoes of the Eye. Doesn't help that it can only happen AFTER you've been wandering around in oppressive pitch blackness for a while, knowing the whole time that they're lurking in the dark...

[JerryOviedo]

I played Dead Space (2008) today after not playing it for a year. I’ve played it many times so I remember what’s coming. Despite that the beginning has plenty of good jump scares!

[naomicoffman]

The only thing more expected than seeing Freespace on one of these lists is seeing a fairly obscure mod for it in the footage at 2:37!

[sybernautic]

My most terrifying jumpscares were in the original FEAR game. That scary little girl literally made me yell out loud.

[vallikv]

#1 for me will always be the first time you encounter the dogs on Resident Evil.