10 Most Effective Jump Scares In Sci-Fi Video Games

From one hyperspace-based scare to another, FreeSpace 2's infamous cry of "DIVE! DIVE! DIVE!" is guaranteed to trigger flashbacks in those lucky enough to have experienced it first-hand.

Towards the end of Interplay's sorely under-rated space-sim, the player is tasked with infiltrating the enemy fleet in an intel-gathering mission. The mission briefing stresses that this will be a stealth mission, heavily emphasizing the importance of going in quiet.

So naturally, within seconds of the mission starting the following events occur:

1) A giant blue flash of energy appears in front of you.

2) A staggeringly huge, kilometres-long enemy warship emerges from the flash and barrels straight at you.

3) Your commander bellows the command in this entry's title.

4) You ends up pushing your flight stick so hard you lift its base off the desk while turning the air blue around you.

Granted, the last step may just have been me. But given the circumstances, the joystick abuse and less-than-ideal language felt justified.

FreeSpace 2 is fondly remembered by those who played it for its ability to confound expectations, and starting a supposedly quiet reconnaissance mission with a moment of trouser-browning terror certainly did that.