Cheap jumpscares or just jumpscares? There's a difference. If you get jumpscared out of nowhere for no reason it's cheap. If you know a killer or something is around and he pops up around a corner it's not cheap. Most puppet combo games I've seen don't have cheap jumpscares (though their normal jumpscares are so loud and insane I still wouldn't play them).
Also as a "player" I can give a recommendation: focus on the atmosphere. In horror games especsially, if the atmosphere is good, it changes a lot. I would never have played a horror game, espesially cry of fear, if its atmosphere, vibe, feel wasn't so unique and attractive. I literally stop playing cuz I'm scared, go back because I want more, repeat. Your game looks nice, I'll wishlist and wait :=)