Five Nights at Freddies, the best designed indie horror game of recent memory?

[Mirroga]

I kind of wish we could have been moving around and checking the rooms, although I know it was low budget. But had we, without cameras, we never would have known what room had the giant puppets in them. And that would have knocked the tension up some. We could have stayed in the room with cameras or taken our chances and left the room to explore and... well I don't know, find a way to draw them back to their pedestal for some reason.

So I admit, the first time is scary. But 5 nights of it seems a bit much.

It seems you want the game to turn into a mini-Amnesia. It seems you have a liking for a specific niche of horror games. I'm kind of tired by those types of games like Slenderman or Amnesia or the billion clones of it.

FNaF is by no means the cream of the crop. But it is refreshing. It just needs to iron out the gameplay even more since it has the weakness of making players camp the cameras near the security office. It needs to randomize the AI patterns even more and make a reason as to why players would look into other parts of the restaurant.

Wait. Not The Bees might have a point here. What the game is lacking is making the players look into other parts of the restaurant. Why not make not just one safe camping location (like the security office), but add 2 more like the storage area and the kitchen. The animatronics would be able to swamp your original camping spot and even sabotage the doors and lights (can happen in the game). If you think you're about to get cornered, you look at the cameras and look towards locations where the animatronics are not present to move around to other safe areas to camp.

 

[WindofHawks]

I think the reason just watching people play it scared me so much is because it preys on a specific fear I have. I am terrified of the idea that one time I will turn round and see something that shouldn't be there. As such jump scares, especially in a creepy and tense environment where the scares are coming for you, scare me more than most. In fact, they have a lasting impact on me. It isn't a simple "Ah!" and then laughter afterwards or whatever, I will probably be unnerved for a few hours at least. To all those saying this isn't scary, I envy you, and as a stated in a previous comment, it is scary to a lot of people. It's weird because I found the simple act of watching someone playing this scarier than Alien. Alien! One of the so called best horror films of all time. And yet, it didn't scare me at all. I just thought it was a good sci-fi film. This, on the other hand actually scared me!

On a slightly different topic: What happens if you are looking at the cameras and the creatures enter the room? Do they wait until you put the tablet down or what?

 

[Mr.Mattress]

<_<

I see you liked it.

Did you find a deeper story than you expected?

Well, it could be a little deeper. But yes, there was a deeper story then what I was expecting.

 

[scorptatious]

Why doesn't the guard bring a pistol or something after his first night? Or how about just quit after the first night? If you were desperate enough to get 120 dollars for being stalked by killer animatronic robots for 6 hours, you should just go and stick up a convenience store or rob a bank.

In other news, I think that Foxy is kinda cute. She's so damn eager to see you, she just cant help but go running for you.

I don't think he's allowed to damage the mascots in any way, shape, or form as the help wanted ad did say to keep them safe.

Other than that? I don't know. Stupidity I guess.

 

[Fappy]

I played to Night 5 and haven't beaten it yet (tried twice so far IIRC). For what it is, it's a brilliant little $5 game. It's the right combination of funny, tactical and scary. I'd highly recommend it.

 

[lacktheknack]

On a slightly different topic: What happens if you are looking at the cameras and the creatures enter the room? Do they wait until you put the tablet down or what?

They yank it down for you.

Bonnie and Chica actually don't do anything if they enter the room while you're looking at the doors. They just stand somewhere you can't see until you look at the cameras again, at which point they jump you. You know they're there if one of the doors stops working.

Foxy and Freddy, however, can get you at any moment, cameras or no. Freddy can even get into the room with both doors closed.

Golden Freddy can only be avoided by looking at the cameras (and cycling out of the trigger-camera immediately).

 

[WindofHawks]

Bonnie and Chica actually don't do anything if they enter the room while you're looking at the doors. They just stand somewhere you can't see until you look at the cameras again, at which point they jump you. You know they're there if one of the doors stops working.

Foxy and Freddy, however, can get you at any moment, cameras or no. Freddy can even get into the room with both doors closed.

Golden Freddy can only be avoided by looking at the cameras (and cycling out of the trigger-camera immediately).[/quote]

Ok, so when they pull it down, is it different to normal? I mean, usually they jump you and there is some distance between you and them (them being at the level of the doors, roughly). If they pull it down, are they right up to you or not?

 

[Rex Prime]

Let me quote this fine gentleman at Steam about why this game uses jumpscares effectively:

Originally posted by MechaMarshmallow:
It does rely on jumpscares, but not in the same way as most jumpscare horror games.

In most games like that, the horror is more surprise than real horror. You're scared because BOO! The monster came out of nowhere with a loud noise. It's not 'real' horror. It's just a natural human reaction to be shocked.

Freddy's is a little different. The reason it's so successful and popular is not because of the jumpscares but the way it sets you up for the scares with the creeping dread and stress that comes before it. You're sitting powerless to do much but watch as the monsters slowly wander closer and closer. You can't even watch them all the time, because that uses power, but you need to know where they are. It starts slow but grows more and more frantic as all four monsters come in to play. You have to quickly flick through cameras to try and find them all, to make sure they're all accounted for. And if they're not, maybe one's in the kitchen - or standing right next to you.

That's when the jumpscare comes. When the game's had you on edge for the last few minutes and you're frantically clicking around. You're distracted and busy and stressed out. And THEN the monster screams in your face - once you're in the perfect mental state to be scared by it.

I'll agree that jump scares can be a cheap way to be scary, and I much prefer a more atmospheric game myself, but Freddy's is at least a step ahead its jumpscare competition - as well as including an original gameplay mechanic that works to enhance the jumpscares.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

I'm having a little problem with the game. Its scary and all, but I'm stuck on Night 2. Foxy the Pirate just hangs out outside the office. He won't leave! Just waits and waits and waits until my power runs out, then Freddy comes in and kills me.
Am I playing wrong? Am I supposed to check the cameras more frequently or something? It seems like whenever Foxy is activated, I might as well start over.

 

[Zef Otter]

So anyone beat 4/20 mode yet?

http://i.4cdn.org/vg/1408309587167.png looks like he's making a sequel already

 

[lacktheknack]

I'm having a little problem with the game. Its scary and all, but I'm stuck on Night 2. Foxy the Pirate just hangs out outside the office. He won't leave! Just waits and waits and waits until my power runs out, then Freddy comes in and kills me.
Am I playing wrong? Am I supposed to check the cameras more frequently or something? It seems like whenever Foxy is activated, I might as well start over.

Usually, if you check the camera very frequently, he won't come running ever. Of course, he also usually leaves after about a minute of door pounding. I'm not sure why he's staying. Really bad luck?

 

[lacktheknack]

Bonnie and Chica actually don't do anything if they enter the room while you're looking at the doors. They just stand somewhere you can't see until you look at the cameras again, at which point they jump you. You know they're there if one of the doors stops working.

Foxy and Freddy, however, can get you at any moment, cameras or no. Freddy can even get into the room with both doors closed.

Golden Freddy can only be avoided by looking at the cameras (and cycling out of the trigger-camera immediately).

Ok, so when they pull it down, is it different to normal? I mean, usually they jump you and there is some distance between you and them (them being at the level of the doors, roughly). If they pull it down, are they right up to you or not?[/quote]

You're a bit off the mark, actually. The only mascot to kill you from the doors' worth of distance is Foxy. All the others ALWAYS end up right the hell in your face.

If you can't stand sudden personal space violations, don't play this.

 

[Windcaler]

I got to play the game today for a bit and I dont know about the best designed horror game but it is intersting both in its mechanics and its setting. I kind of wish you could set traps for the characters but the setting accounts for why you dont

I notice a lot of people mentioning plot holes which I felt I would address with possible answers

1. Why dont you just wear a costume? Thats actually covered in day two by the ex-employee on the phone. he states playing dead in a costume might get them to leave you alone or it might have them shove wires, circuits, and a lot more inside you to "fix" you.

2. Why dont you just quit? That was one thought I had too then I thought maybe he doesnt have any education and this security job thing was all he could get. I mean everyone has to eat, afford a roof over their head, etc. Even people with just GED's have a really hard time finding work. High school diploma's arent much better. Imagine how it is for someone with no educational degree

3. Why's he getting paid under minimum wage? Minimum wage varies a bit from state to state so I suspect thats why

 

[Riot3000]

I think it is a great game it set out to do what it wanted and all of it works well. Like others have said it is not the jump scares but trying to avoid them is the goal. I think one of the best moments is trying to keep track of the mascots on your monitor then putting it down to see one of them right in front of your face. Take into the resource management and how you can't move all the mechanics just makes it work. And while not innovative you can say that possessed or not possessed animatronic animals is a change up from zombies, vampires, and other non euclidean horrors.

People thought it was scary? The phone call at the beginning was so goddamn cheesy it just... gave the game such a campy, hilarious feeling to it. It feels budget and cheap and ... I dunno, it's not scary to me lol.

I think that is the appeal it is so campy and cheesy on premise yet it scares and creeps people out according to many who played and enjoyed.

Also the game is like 5.00 or 2.50 and made by one person so it is budget and cheep and it is still a great game and experience to me. I mean a big crux is AAA games having redonking game budgets and still don't deliver or don't make profit despite selling in the thousands and millions.

IMHO Five Nights at Freddy's delivered way more than a 1 to 5 dollar range game should.

 

[WindofHawks]

Bonnie and Chica actually don't do anything if they enter the room while you're looking at the doors. They just stand somewhere you can't see until you look at the cameras again, at which point they jump you. You know they're there if one of the doors stops working.

Foxy and Freddy, however, can get you at any moment, cameras or no. Freddy can even get into the room with both doors closed.

Golden Freddy can only be avoided by looking at the cameras (and cycling out of the trigger-camera immediately).

Ok, so when they pull it down, is it different to normal? I mean, usually they jump you and there is some distance between you and them (them being at the level of the doors, roughly). If they pull it down, are they right up to you or not?

You're a bit off the mark, actually. The only mascot to kill you from the doors' worth of distance is Foxy. All the others ALWAYS end up right the hell in your face.

If you can't stand sudden personal space violations, don't play this.[/quote]

Ah, my mistake. I obviously remembered Jim Sterling's play-through wrong. Does anyone have a gifs of all the creatures attacking? I mean, what happens when they are stood at the door and you don't close it? Do they leap at you or what?

 

[lacktheknack]

Ah, my mistake. I obviously remembered Jim Sterling's play-through wrong. Does anyone have a gifs of all the creatures attacking? I mean, what happens when they are stood at the door and you don't close it? Do they leap at you or what?

Foxy steps through the door, screaming.

Freddy suddenly launches from the right.

Chica and Bonnie will suddenly disappear, and the door they entered through will stop working. If you look at the cameras again, they'll jump you. This means that, if one of the doors stops working, you can stave them off simply by not looking at the cameras, but you'll be vulnerable to Foxy and Freddy.

 

[WindofHawks]

Ah, ok. What happens if Bonnie/Chica are there but you run out of power?

 

[the_dramatica]

I'm kind of curious now. Has there been a horror medium wherein if the characters did the smartest and best actions from beginning to end, will there still be a story?

Well the problem is smart people don't get into writing for a career so you rarely see that, in fact we will never know.