I personally think that given game's diffculty and the fact that you cannot respec, a good build can be quite helpful.
Especially for noobs like me, that would like to not die every 10 seconds :)

So because it's not scary to you it should not be considered horror by anyone..good to know.

Well thats me

http://www.reactionface.info/sites/default/files/images/1287666826226.png

That's precisely something that will not happen even to shitty builds that are not thought-trough at all.The game will just be slightly harder and more enjoyable (because it's way too easy otherwise)

So do you have any suggestions for making the game harder?

What difficulty do you play on?

Hm, in the RPS interview they said the game was quite hard. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. Personally I'd be fine with a little challenge and I don't mind dying a lot, I concur that being next to invincible would harm the immersion in a horror game. But if the greatest shock in the game turns out to be the discovery that I'm hopelessly stuck and have to restart because I can't beat the game with my messed up build and average gaming skills, that would be the greatest immersion-breaker for me, because in that case I'd lose all interest in (ever replaying) the story and just abandon the game. I know some hardcore gamers like to replay games over and over again until they've mastered them, but I'm not one of them. I play mostly for experiencing the story and I hate replaying story-oriented games (at least with less than a decade between playthroughs).

It is difficult, but you have to play it on Impossible for it to be so, and I recommend everyone play it that way. No excuses.

Choose Navy as a career.

YEAR 1 – 1 HACK 1 STRENGTH
YEAR 2 – 2 STANDARD WEAPONS
YEAR 3 – 2 ENDURANCE

HACK 1 > 3
AGILITY 1 > 2
MAINTENANCE 0 > 2
STRENGTH 2 > 3
AGILITY 2 > 3
PSI TIER 2 UNLOCK
PSI TIER 2 – REGENERATION
CYBER 1 > 3
HEAVY 0 > 1
ENERGY 0 > 1

This is the best build for new players but choosing OSA is better overall because it gives more points. The drawback is you need to be familiar with Psi powers more. I'm really excited Shock 2 might finally be coming to GOG.

I can't argue against or for if it's scary because of lack of play but I think it's based around creepy atmosphere, not cheap jumps like Resident Evil who you seem to adore so much.

Even if someone hates difficult games? :P

Personally, I'm going to be play on normal/default but without character build recommendations as they're usually only interesting once you've played the game yourself.

Don't read guides and wipe your memory for second playtrough.
Normal at first go, impossible afterwards. I kinda regret playing it on normal the first time around.
I do believe you can change difficulty during the game.

Fair enough, but the way the game is set up, harder difficulties don't necessarily mean you die more if you play your cards right. It forces you to play more cautiously, and IMO that's how one gets the most out of the experience the game provides.

What are the differences between difficulty levels?

Buying upgrades will cost more. Enemies will deal more damage. Regeneration chambers cost more to use.

Impossible difficulty is only really hard during the first two decks.