Monsters shouldn't have distinctive sounds

[Lyssa]

I agree that the noises can hinder the immersion to a degree.

I dont think the answer would be to remove them altogether, however. As it has been pointed out - those sounds are great for making you poo your pants when you hear them.

I think the trick is unpredictability. We all generally agree that after 2-3 hours of playing you get used to how it works and start to feel safer. So my answer to that? Just after you know the player is getting used to things, throw them an enemy that doesnt growl when he spawns. Maybe have it sneak up on the player, or do something totaly out of character.

That then throws the player back into uncertainty for the next hour or so. Suddenly those ambient footstep noises really could be a monster. And then you're hiding at every corner again like you were when the game first started.