It's not like the horror element is a bad thing. It adds more tension to the story making much more satisfying and fun when the Ben ends up having a chill day and has fun.
The approach to it is what bugs me the most if anything, like the nightmares are a nice touch but it's frustrating when we as readers see the nightmare foreshadowing shit when the mc wakes up clueless as ever since he barely remembers the dreams! Maybe an approach similar to PasswordVN would work since it incorporates elements of replay-ability along with audience interaction to try and decipher nightmares and what Ben can do. Also what the honest fuck is up with the hall being an ominous place or that fucked up wellness center giving him insanity meds? They rarely retouch on that aspect! Eager to find out how that played into the whole mystery aspect. Mentioned PasswordVN for a reason considering how much of an uncanny resemblance Zach's bizarre unspoken ability is to it. Love that for his character though!
Only person who seems aware is Zach and even then Ben refuses to talk with him about the nightmares or the fucking red figure stalking him, like honestly dude! Wake up, for the whole 'communication is key' shpiel he sucks at it! And I loved the anagrams at first but they rarely reappear, instead the game flat out gives us what the anagrams meant which is kind of a bummer considering it added to the whole element of intrigue but appeared to later be simplified since I guess not too many players were fond of it.
The depth does feel like we're being tossed into the deep end with little to no relative ease into the whole situation, I get people are deep as shit irl but other than spies, no one is that good at not showing how they are in actuality.