Given it’s nigh impossible to live in the first world and have not heard of this game, I won’t go into a lengthy introduction. Let’s just jump in. I played on mobile, normally a downgrade in terms of atmosphere and immersion. It doesn’t really make a difference here though. The game is simple in depth and mechanics enough that as long as you have relative peace and quiet for sound cues you’ll be ok.
As somebody who likes to take risks, this game was still VERY tight on the power management. To the point of annoyance. The first three nights of the eponymous five nights was nothing crazy. Check the cams often enough, but don’t be glued to them. Use power very sparingly and you’ll be good give or take a death or two. The fourth and fifth night on the other hand felt like huge jumps in difficulty. The fifth night especially. I’m not exaggerating when I say that within ten seconds every single time on the fifth night at least one animatronic would be at your door with Foxy not far behind. And if they didn’t get you then power-lossage was a very real possibility. That’s taking into account a near-ideal optimizations for power saving too, with delaying door closing as much as possible, opening them as soon as possible, and still the times were extremely close. Believe me when I say RNG is both your savior and your condemner. Random in-game button glitching, cams going down to let the animatronics move, or having the animatronics just straight up refusing to leave outside your room can easily be a ticket a quick trip to frustration land.
It’s that poorly managed RNG paired with shallow mechanics that provide little player expression that made me put the game down before I could beat the final night. You could be the best FNAF player in existence, perfectly optimizing battery usage and yet if RNGESUS doesn’t bless you, you’re not going to make it. Full stop. And after so many deaths the repetitive jump-scares became less suspenseful and more prohibitively drawn out.
It’s hard to believe this game would be the catalyst for the absolute WAVE of “mascot horror” we would continue to see a decade later. My advice if you want to finish the game? Take breaks, getting stuck in failure loops (like I did) will make you burn out very quick in a game like this. As a success story I admire this game. As a game it’s missing a few key elements, such as balance and interactivity, making it too punishing and too boring to see it though till the end. In terms of idle observer games, not a terrible start for a franchise from a one-man band, but I want to see more risks taken in future installments.
As somebody who likes to take risks, this game was still VERY tight on the power management. To the point of annoyance. The first three nights of the eponymous five nights was nothing crazy. Check the cams often enough, but don’t be glued to them. Use power very sparingly and you’ll be good give or take a death or two. The fourth and fifth night on the other hand felt like huge jumps in difficulty. The fifth night especially. I’m not exaggerating when I say that within ten seconds every single time on the fifth night at least one animatronic would be at your door with Foxy not far behind. And if they didn’t get you then power-lossage was a very real possibility. That’s taking into account a near-ideal optimizations for power saving too, with delaying door closing as much as possible, opening them as soon as possible, and still the times were extremely close. Believe me when I say RNG is both your savior and your condemner. Random in-game button glitching, cams going down to let the animatronics move, or having the animatronics just straight up refusing to leave outside your room can easily be a ticket a quick trip to frustration land.
It’s that poorly managed RNG paired with shallow mechanics that provide little player expression that made me put the game down before I could beat the final night. You could be the best FNAF player in existence, perfectly optimizing battery usage and yet if RNGESUS doesn’t bless you, you’re not going to make it. Full stop. And after so many deaths the repetitive jump-scares became less suspenseful and more prohibitively drawn out.
It’s hard to believe this game would be the catalyst for the absolute WAVE of “mascot horror” we would continue to see a decade later. My advice if you want to finish the game? Take breaks, getting stuck in failure loops (like I did) will make you burn out very quick in a game like this. As a success story I admire this game. As a game it’s missing a few key elements, such as balance and interactivity, making it too punishing and too boring to see it though till the end. In terms of idle observer games, not a terrible start for a franchise from a one-man band, but I want to see more risks taken in future installments.
15 Comments
@RedBackLoggd You have no idea how much that means to me man, I really appreciate that! I'm glad somebody else enjoys my peculiar way of writing as much as I like to write it lol. And it goes both ways. Really enjoy your writing too my man. Love the background information you give and the unique perspective on game mechanics and tropes you have.
That surprised me as well. I'm half-joking but the community and franchise is so big now that being a part of the fandom at this point has probably very little to do with actually playing and evaluating the original games from a balance perspective and instead it's just about enjoying the random fangames and rhythmically questionable fan songs lol.
That surprised me as well. I'm half-joking but the community and franchise is so big now that being a part of the fandom at this point has probably very little to do with actually playing and evaluating the original games from a balance perspective and instead it's just about enjoying the random fangames and rhythmically questionable fan songs lol.
Your reviews are great, but I never read most of them as they don't show up on the activity feed, why don't they? :(
Of course brother, and you know I don't bullshit - I mean every word I say, it's a crime you don't have more followers compared to some of the other users on here.
And aww, thanks man, truly appreciate it. I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with your reviews- I wish we could tie notifications to new reviews published by our followers/followees, but it is what it is.
LOL, yeah that's true. Like you said in the end paragraph, I respect them for what they accomplished as far as finding success, but I don't respect the product itself as a work of art. To each their own of course though.
And aww, thanks man, truly appreciate it. I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with your reviews- I wish we could tie notifications to new reviews published by our followers/followees, but it is what it is.
LOL, yeah that's true. Like you said in the end paragraph, I respect them for what they accomplished as far as finding success, but I don't respect the product itself as a work of art. To each their own of course though.
@paq250_ Thanks man, I appreciate that greatly! I enjoy your reviews as well! It might be because I sometimes log a finish a day or two after I actually beat a game so maybe the dates mess it up and it registers as previous day activities? Or maybe it’s because sometimes I log a game and post a review at separate times. I’m honestly not sure but I feel like I know what you’re talking about.
@RedBackLoggd Thanks man, it’s comments like yours that keep me writing. Oh I know that well. What I like especially about your reviews is not only are they captivating but I feel like I learn something new every time lol.
Hey man don’t sweat it at all. I’m not nearly as active as I’d like to be anyway. It’s something I’m working on. And yeah that would be a cool feature, even after numerous updates I feel like looking at friend’s activity is still too many clicks away.
If ever there were a franchise to make one feel that way, it would be FNAF, so I definitely don’t blame you for that lol. A part of me is biding my time with the first few games just cause I want to see what Security Breach is about, hands-on wise.
Hey man don’t sweat it at all. I’m not nearly as active as I’d like to be anyway. It’s something I’m working on. And yeah that would be a cool feature, even after numerous updates I feel like looking at friend’s activity is still too many clicks away.
If ever there were a franchise to make one feel that way, it would be FNAF, so I definitely don’t blame you for that lol. A part of me is biding my time with the first few games just cause I want to see what Security Breach is about, hands-on wise.
@Rezlo - thanks man, like you I try and touch on the good and the bad whilst addressing every major aspect of the game. I've read so many phoned-in reviews on major publication sites that really bothered me haha. I don't ever want to do that cause it's disrespectful to the developer.
Nah man, prioritize whatever's important in your life. Not like any of us are getting paid here lol.
They'll get to it eventually - these Backloggd devs are geniuses.
Do you plan on playing all the mainline entries in the series up to Security Breach?
Nah man, prioritize whatever's important in your life. Not like any of us are getting paid here lol.
They'll get to it eventually - these Backloggd devs are geniuses.
Do you plan on playing all the mainline entries in the series up to Security Breach?
@RedBackLoggd Makes total sense, and you’re doing a great job. Right? There are so many shallow discussions and reviews from what should be reputable sites.
Oh don’t worry it comes at no cost to me. The main problem is I’m just lazy sometimes lol. But that’s a more general problem of mine haha. This is just a really fun hobby that gives me a reason to dig into games much more ravenously than before, plus I love discussing games and genres with like-minded people.
Yeah I’m sure it will. The Patreon updates are usually pretty juicy, and the Discord well maintained.
I do, and since I know each game only slightly tweaks details and formulas it should be interesting to have to analyze a bit deeper before the franchise made the switch with Security Breach, and to a lesser extent, Sister Location. Should be fun for me though lol.
Oh don’t worry it comes at no cost to me. The main problem is I’m just lazy sometimes lol. But that’s a more general problem of mine haha. This is just a really fun hobby that gives me a reason to dig into games much more ravenously than before, plus I love discussing games and genres with like-minded people.
Yeah I’m sure it will. The Patreon updates are usually pretty juicy, and the Discord well maintained.
I do, and since I know each game only slightly tweaks details and formulas it should be interesting to have to analyze a bit deeper before the franchise made the switch with Security Breach, and to a lesser extent, Sister Location. Should be fun for me though lol.
You want to see a recently phoned-in one, go read GI's review of AC Mirage. They don't even talk about the music and skim over the gameplay lol. And I say this as someone who generally likes GI - they were a huge influence on me growing up.
I'm glad to hear that brother. When you're doing something for fun, it makes you a lot more motivated compared to mandatory hassles.
I didn't even know there was Discord haha. Is it worth being a part of?
My follow-up question is, are you someone who needs to take a break b/w entries like me, or are you capable of playing sequels one after the other?
I'm glad to hear that brother. When you're doing something for fun, it makes you a lot more motivated compared to mandatory hassles.
I didn't even know there was Discord haha. Is it worth being a part of?
My follow-up question is, are you someone who needs to take a break b/w entries like me, or are you capable of playing sequels one after the other?
@RedBackLoggd No kidding! Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long. I use to be big into Game Informer back in the day too! We would get their magazines all the time. That’s a shame to hear.
Oh for sure brother. Plus I can’t deny that little dopamine hit when I see a new like on a review lol.
Me either at first. I’d say only if you’re decently invested in the site itself. It’s less hectic than most Discords - you’ll still have a couple of goofy goobers here and there - but there’s some good discussions to be had if you don’t mind looking a little for it.
Oh yeah I’m big on breaks between titles. That’s why most games I’ve reviewed I haven’t finished the franchises of yet. I like to let it marinate, and I don’t want to become too tunnel-visioned or burnt out when there’s plenty of other games already in my backlog. So it will probably be a while until I get to Security Breach.
Oh for sure brother. Plus I can’t deny that little dopamine hit when I see a new like on a review lol.
Me either at first. I’d say only if you’re decently invested in the site itself. It’s less hectic than most Discords - you’ll still have a couple of goofy goobers here and there - but there’s some good discussions to be had if you don’t mind looking a little for it.
Oh yeah I’m big on breaks between titles. That’s why most games I’ve reviewed I haven’t finished the franchises of yet. I like to let it marinate, and I don’t want to become too tunnel-visioned or burnt out when there’s plenty of other games already in my backlog. So it will probably be a while until I get to Security Breach.
It's not all of them for the record, but it's a sign they've gotten too big for their own good. At least their covers are still dope.
LOL, same, and I keep telling myself I'm doing these for myself xD
Thanks man for the objective breakdown. Will check it out.
Shit man, now I see why I followed you in the first place - we really think alike haha. Also I imagine it's good on your ears to not play too many Freddy games in a row xD.
The last time I did back-to-back entries was TLOU, and I feel that ended up affecting my enjoying of TLOU2 since the gameplay didn't radically change. When was the last time you played back-to-backs?
LOL, same, and I keep telling myself I'm doing these for myself xD
Thanks man for the objective breakdown. Will check it out.
Shit man, now I see why I followed you in the first place - we really think alike haha. Also I imagine it's good on your ears to not play too many Freddy games in a row xD.
The last time I did back-to-back entries was TLOU, and I feel that ended up affecting my enjoying of TLOU2 since the gameplay didn't radically change. When was the last time you played back-to-backs?
@RedBackLoggd Facts man! That was probably my favorite part of getting the magazines when I was younger. They were always the coolest thing to my adolescent self.
I like to think of it a bonus on top of the self-satisfaction of putting thoughts to paper :)
Oh yes, you really got to lock in when playing a game so reliant on sound cues and lax on jumpscare withholding lol. So taking a break from that's definitely a part of it too. Plus spacing them out gives some anticipation depending on the franchise.
That's so relatable man. I think you're right that we are similar lol. I believe the last franchise I did that with was with the Metro series, specifically the first two games. And I felt the same way. I enjoyed them both sure, but playing the second one so soon after when the first game's impressions were still hot on my mind made it all the easier to get see how extremely similar they were. Not an experience ruiner but I think I would have enjoyed it more otherwise.
I like to think of it a bonus on top of the self-satisfaction of putting thoughts to paper :)
Oh yes, you really got to lock in when playing a game so reliant on sound cues and lax on jumpscare withholding lol. So taking a break from that's definitely a part of it too. Plus spacing them out gives some anticipation depending on the franchise.
That's so relatable man. I think you're right that we are similar lol. I believe the last franchise I did that with was with the Metro series, specifically the first two games. And I felt the same way. I enjoyed them both sure, but playing the second one so soon after when the first game's impressions were still hot on my mind made it all the easier to get see how extremely similar they were. Not an experience ruiner but I think I would have enjoyed it more otherwise.
Yeah brother, it's a shame magazines are dying out. I used to collect Neopets magazines too when I was a kid, and they actually put in holographic sheens to some of them! That's quality you just don't see anymore. I heard Nintendo Power was also awesome, though I never collected those.
You are a very intelligent man :)
Oh no, I was referring to the ear-r&pe SFX they used for the animatronic screeches haha, but that's a good point too.
Yeah, that's a great way of summarizing it. Ironically I plan on playing Metro Last Light soon haha.
You are a very intelligent man :)
Oh no, I was referring to the ear-r&pe SFX they used for the animatronic screeches haha, but that's a good point too.
Yeah, that's a great way of summarizing it. Ironically I plan on playing Metro Last Light soon haha.
@RedBackLoggd I definitely would have loved that as a kid. Same on Nintendo Power. Its prime was a bit before my time personally, but I just know that Power Glove they released would have been the coolest thing to middle-school me.
You flatter me too much, though I won't protest ;)
Ah gotcha, yeah that's quite the hearing tenderizer. Plus hearing the screaming SFX when isolated makes you realize how bizarrely inhuman, AND extremely annoying the yelling is.
Despite how similar I found the games, one distinction I'll make about them is that the second one has a lot more outside sections, which is a bonus if you like absolutely gorgeous landscapes. Though I'd still wager that your enjoyment will roughly match that of the first game.
You flatter me too much, though I won't protest ;)
Ah gotcha, yeah that's quite the hearing tenderizer. Plus hearing the screaming SFX when isolated makes you realize how bizarrely inhuman, AND extremely annoying the yelling is.
Despite how similar I found the games, one distinction I'll make about them is that the second one has a lot more outside sections, which is a bonus if you like absolutely gorgeous landscapes. Though I'd still wager that your enjoyment will roughly match that of the first game.
Hey man, if you got the money, there's always Ebay xD.
LOL
Yeah, that's the one thing I'm surprised never impeded the game's success. I don't doubt it cultivates a very tense atmosphere as you noted in the review, but considering most people think screamers are annoying, how did a game that dialed that up to the X factor get such a following.
Thanks man, will keep that in mind when I go forward.
LOL
Yeah, that's the one thing I'm surprised never impeded the game's success. I don't doubt it cultivates a very tense atmosphere as you noted in the review, but considering most people think screamers are annoying, how did a game that dialed that up to the X factor get such a following.
Thanks man, will keep that in mind when I go forward.
RedBackLoggd
4 months ago
Such damn good writing that succinctly touched everything good and bad with the game.
I'm surprised to hear about the difficulty as I don't recall the influx of fanboys mentioning that at all when this game hit virality. Goes to show what people are willing to overlook when they've found something to waveride.