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These days, it’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t heard of FNAF (or at least the “har har har” meme). Although the series has had its ups and downs, the new game Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit brings out the best of it, delivering one of the scariest entries in the franchise.
Into the Pit is based on the short story of the same name from the Fazbear Frights book series. You play as Oswald, a young boy who gets bored waiting for his father every day in a rundown pizzeria. One day, he decides to explore the abandoned building, which results not only in time travel but also in a mission to save others and uncover the dark secrets hidden within. Only by moving back and forth between the past and the present can you connect the pieces and prevent the yellow rabbit from replacing your father.
Of course, FNAF is no stranger to themes of child tragedy and invading their safe spaces like family restaurants or even their own homes. However, since Security Breach, the brand has shifted toward a more “child-friendly” type of horror, so it’s been a while since we’ve seen a truly frightening FNAF game. This time, not only do we face animatronics and protect other children as a ten-year-old, but we do it in a free-movement game. Essentially, this is Security Breach done right.
Having the ability to freely roam between locations isn’t always favorable to players, especially in a horror game. It often means lots of running and hiding from various threats while never being entirely sure if you made the right decision. Sudden attacks triggered by being spotted, dark areas, and fast events effectively create fear, while flickering imagery and sound design further enhance the tension. Tracking the dangers around you and managing your objectives is the only way to progress. You quickly realize it’s easy to distract the monsters, but just as easy to lose focus.
What stands out most about this game is certainly the pixelated graphics. Not only do the characters move smoothly and the lighting looks gorgeous, but the visuals and music perfectly capture the 80s atmosphere. So while there are plenty of puzzles to solve, it’s easy to get lost in the scenery and forget what you were supposed to be doing.
As much as I admit that the puzzles are creative, the fun stops when you get stuck with no hint whatsoever (which can happen more than once). While the game’s challenge is mostly tied to its fear level, finding the solutions to certain puzzles was extremely difficult. Sometimes I did everything I could to find the right item or location, only to realize I needed to go back to the beginning. It’s also easy to miss things in the dark. Naturally, FNAF games are known for being unpredictable and challenging, but the lack of guidance during key moments can significantly slow down your progress.
Details become even more important toward the end of the game. Depending on the items you’ve collected and the actions you’ve taken, there are multiple different endings. While exploring the ways to complete the game, I discovered hidden mini-games that are crucial for achieving the secret ending. This clear reference to the early FNAF titles, along with many hidden easter eggs, brought back nostalgic memories and revived the bizarre and creepy atmosphere of classic FNAF, something that still resonates even after 10 years.
Scary, aesthetically striking, and at times confusing, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit is one of the best entries in the series in recent years. It has everything a FNAF story needs: mysteries, monsters, children in danger, and unexpected solutions. Sometimes the instructions aren’t as clear as I’d like them to be, but that’s not a major issue. I’m aware that being a veteran of the franchise shouldn’t influence my review…
What do you mean you can pet a cat in this game and honk Freddy’s nose? An incredible experience, a truly touching story, and a life-changing premise. I highly recommend this title to all FNAF enthusiasts, and to those who aren’t.
Review copy provided by the publisher
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