20 Most Terrifying Video Game Enemies Of The Decade
11. Cynthia Weaver - Alan Wake II (2023)
When Alan Wake first arrived in Bright Falls, Cynthia Weaver was an eccentric but kindly old woman who'd been protecting the town from the malevolent Dark Presence for decades. However, when players reunite with her in the sequel, a sudden jump scare reveals that she's been corrupted by the Darkness.
From here, Cynthia only becomes more threatening as players continue to explore the retirement home and its neighbouring care centre. Even when she's not on screen, her presence is felt within every shadow as perfectly timed flashes of her distorted face catch players off guard every time they're deployed.
The tension climbs higher once players make their way into the Overlap and descend into the flooded bunker where Cynthia is hiding. Once players find her, she pursues them from underwater in a heart-racing sequence reminiscent of the Kaernk encounter from Amnesia before confronting players in a tough boss fight.
In a game full of strange and surreal horrors, it's Cynthia who stands out as the sequel's most memorable and frightening foe. As menacing as she is, there's nevertheless a bittersweetness in seeing what happened to this fan-favourite character.