Five Nights at Freddy's 2
- November 10, 2014
- Scott Cawthon
- 4h median play time
Come for the one of the scariest environments youll sweat in, but try not to leave for the punishing level of difficulty.
In Five Nights at Freddy's 2, players become a security guard at a mysterious pizzeria, tasked with monitoring animatronics through surveillance cameras. Unlike the first game, players have a flashlight to ward off intruding animatronics and must manage a limited power supply. The game features new characters, expanded lore, and a more complex set of mechanics, creating a challenging and immersive horror experience.
Reviews
- gameplay755 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Five Nights at Freddy's 2 has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the introduction of new mechanics such as the music box and the Freddy mask, which add complexity and challenge to the experience. However, some players find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating, particularly due to the reliance on quick reactions and the overwhelming number of animatronics to manage. Overall, while the game enhances the original's mechanics and offers a more chaotic experience, it can also feel tedious and less scary as players become familiar with the patterns and strategies needed to succeed.
“Five Nights at Freddy's 2 introduces new gameplay mechanics that enhance the overall experience.”
“The gameplay is intense and nerve-wracking, as you're constantly on edge trying to keep the animatronics at bay.”
“With its expanded gameplay mechanics, terrifying animatronics, and rich lore, FNAF 2 is a must-play for fans of horror games and anyone looking for a truly terrifying gaming experience.”
“A step down from the previous entry from a design standpoint - the gameplay systems feel a lot more unintuitive and clunky, and it eventually just becomes a test of how fast you can flip the camera down and put on the mask.”
“The gameplay is rather boring: wind the music box, put on the mask, flash withered Foxy, repeat.”
“The gameplay loop is horribly tedious, and it honestly lacks the atmosphere and horror of the first game.”
- music734 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 85 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" is a polarizing aspect among players, with many expressing frustration over the music box mechanic that requires constant attention to prevent the puppet from attacking. While some appreciate the eerie ambiance and nostalgic tunes, others feel that the music box detracts from the overall gameplay experience, making it repetitive and overwhelming, especially during later nights. The soundtrack effectively contributes to the game's tension, but the necessity of managing the music box often overshadows other gameplay elements, leading to mixed feelings about its implementation.
“Everything from the iconic menu music to ambience is very recognizable today.”
“The hauntingly atmospheric music, unnerving animatronic noises, and the distorted voice of the phone guy contribute to the game's overall sense of dread.”
“The music, ambience, gameplay, mechanics, plot, easter eggs, and challenges are twice as good in this game.”
“The music box ruins the gameplay loop, and afterwards it loses all charm.”
“The music box makes the camera system worthless, because in the later nights, you don't have the time to look at where everyone is, because you need to rewind the music box.”
“I hate the music box mechanic; part of this game being bigger than the first, there are a lot more cameras, and thanks to the music box, you never get to actually use them.”
- story500 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, expanding on the lore established in the first game through various narrative elements such as phone calls, hidden mini-games, and environmental storytelling. Players appreciate the chilling backstory involving tragic events at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, including the infamous "Bite of '87" and the introduction of key characters like the Purple Guy. While some find the storytelling convoluted, many agree that it enhances the overall experience, making it a compelling entry in the horror genre.
“The true brilliance of Five Nights at Freddy's 2 lies in its ability to tell a compelling and cryptic story through subtle environmental cues, phone calls, and eerie mini-games.”
“Scott Cawthon's creation goes beyond its surface frights, inviting players to unravel a dark and enigmatic story that cements Five Nights at Freddy's 2 as a standout entry in the horror gaming landscape.”
“The story becomes a lot more expansive too, with secret mini-games showing more of the plot and a mysterious purple man.”
“The storyline, or lack thereof, is also a major letdown.”
“Five Nights at Freddy's 2 attempts to provide some backstory to the events of the first game but only succeeds in delivering a convoluted mess of half-baked ideas.”
“The plot is poorly presented, leaving players confused rather than intrigued, and fails to add any depth or significance to the overall gaming experience.”
- graphics163 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the improved visuals and charming retro aesthetic that enhance the horror experience, while others criticize them as flat and reminiscent of outdated technology. Many players appreciate the game's ability to create a creepy atmosphere despite its graphical limitations, noting that the visuals contribute to the overall immersion and tension. Overall, while the graphics are not groundbreaking, they are considered a step up from the previous installment and effectively support the game's horror elements.
“The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, pretty realistic, love the retro vibes the game gave off as well.”
“The graphics are very well constructed and the jump scares get me every time!”
“Couple that with increased graphical fidelity and animation, and a sensibly expanded take on the series' lore that paints the animatronics in a new light, Five Nights at Freddy's 2 is a genuinely great sequel worth every penny!”
“Oh, let's also mention the graphics; the reason why the first four FNAF games are scary is the quality of these games, as the game feels like it's from the late 90s, not from 2014.”
“The graphics might be horrible, but it never goes down for great gameplay.”
“Graphics-wise, this game doesn’t look bad, but for a 2014 game, I’d expect something more.”
- atmosphere163 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" is a mixed bag, with many praising its eerie sound design, dimly lit environments, and the palpable tension it creates, which effectively immerses players in a sense of dread. However, some reviewers feel it falls short compared to the original game's atmosphere, citing a decline in the overall scare factor and a more colorful, less oppressive aesthetic. While the game retains a creepy ambiance and intense gameplay, opinions vary on whether it successfully captures the same level of horror as its predecessor.
“The dimly lit corridors, flickering lights, and eerie sound design create an atmosphere of impending doom, leaving players constantly anticipating the next jump scare.”
“The game's atmosphere is masterfully crafted, with dimly lit hallways, malfunctioning surveillance cameras, and eerie sound effects that keep you constantly on guard.”
“The atmosphere of this game is astonishing with its dark hallway and the suspense of not knowing who will be there when you flash the light is perfect.”
“It feels like 'more FNAF' in a bad way, with the only super noteworthy things being the new character designs and a noticeable decline in atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere took a big hit compared to the first one, but the gameplay is fun.”
“The game tries to build this atmosphere, but it falls flat since you mostly spend most of your time trying not to get murdered, so you have no time to take in the setting, since you’re too focused on not getting stuffed in a suit.”
- humor96 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a key aspect, with players finding the jumpscares and animatronic antics amusing rather than purely frightening. Many reviews mention the comedic elements of the characters, such as the "funny bear" and "silly killer robots," and the game's ability to elicit laughter during tense moments, making it enjoyable for both solo and group play. Overall, the blend of horror and humor creates a unique experience that resonates well with fans.
“This game would be scary enough for me to go 'aaa' and funny enough for me to go 'har har har har'.”
“The jumpscares are a bit less startling and scary, and almost humorous as the animatronics leap at you, the most startling one being withered chica as she pops up from under the desk (whoah chica!).”
“In fact, it's really fun to take turns playing it at a party and watching people yell as the animatronics kill them is funny and entertaining.”
“Ok, this is not funny!”
“Not funny, didn't laugh.”
“I have ultimately become unfunny; this world has done nothing for me.”
- grinding44 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 41 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players noting that it requires an excessive time investment, often feeling tedious and repetitive. Reviews highlight that the gameplay loop becomes monotonous, particularly during challenging modes, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. While some appreciate the game's aesthetic and challenge, the overwhelming consensus is that the grinding detracts significantly from the overall experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“As soon as the withered animatronics come around, the game becomes a tedious and boring loop of events: look at vent lights.”
“The incessant looping sound effects, repetitive jump scare sequences, and lack of any meaningful narrative progression make for an utterly tedious and unenjoyable gaming session.”
“The gameplay gets very repetitive and tedious after a while once you get the gist of it.”
- replayability34 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
FNAF 2 is generally regarded as highly replayable due to its multiple difficulty levels, hidden secrets, and engaging gameplay mechanics, which encourage players to explore all minigames and easter eggs. While many players appreciate the challenge and variety offered by custom night modes, some critics note that the repetitive nature of the gameplay can diminish its long-term appeal. Overall, the game strikes a balance between addictive fun and potential monotony, making it a standout in the series for replay value.
“FNAF 2 is highly replayable, thanks to its various difficulty levels and hidden secrets.”
“The desire to complete all the minigames, discover all the easter eggs, and master the game's mechanics adds significant replay value.”
“This entry has many characters to learn and handle properly, more easter eggs, secret characters and minigames, suspenseful scares, cinematic cutscenes, and on top of the 6 nights you normally do, there is once again a custom night, this time with more replayability and rewards to offer, including presets and plushies for your office as rewards.”
“Furthermore, the lack of any significant replay value is evident, as once players have suffered through the repetitive and mundane gameplay, there is little incentive to subject themselves to it again.”
“It is a good game, with good mechanics, but lacks replayability.”
“Because you're pretty much doing the same thing over and over again, there is a lack of replayability for you can only do the same thing over and over so many times before it gets dull.”
- emotional25 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a profound emotional connection to the game, often experiencing intense feelings of fear, sadness, and nostalgia. Many report shedding tears over specific moments, such as character interactions and jump scares, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong emotional responses. Overall, the game is described as a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving players both terrified and deeply moved.
“I have never gotten so emotional over a game and that's why I like it.”
“This game made me cry, scream, and also have fun. As you can see, I have been playing it for 13 hours, which is insane, but once you get to night 7, this game is worth playing.”
“The reason this game got to me, though, through my nerves scaring me to death, is because it is my emotional fear.”
- stability18 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to have several bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as issues with button responsiveness and unexpected character behavior. While these stability problems are noted, many players still find the overall experience enjoyable and engaging, suggesting that the fun elements of the game often outweigh the technical shortcomings.
“It's okay but it has major glitches such as Foxy jumping out of the wall and the mask button disappearing.”
“I really want to play, but every time I'm about to beat night one, my game freezes... any ideas for help?”
“I personally think the game was a little too rushed; there are many glitches I encountered.”
- character development17 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by impressive and diverse character designs, with many players praising the unique visual styles and quirks of the animatronics. However, some reviewers feel that the gameplay mechanics detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration rather than enhancing character engagement. While the lore and callbacks to previous games are appreciated, there is a sentiment that the character development lacks the seamless spookiness of earlier installments.
“The character designs are great, withered foxy being my all-time favorite, and the lore here is great as well!”
“Great callbacks from the first game and love the character designs and variety of characters.”
“The character designs are all wonderfully creepy, and each of them have their own little quirks and gimmicks visually.”
“Okay, I don't care if this option will get me nailed to a stake, but this game is bad. First off, the music box sucks as a mechanic. The mask you can't do anything with. Withered Foxy's mechanic is alright in my book, but they just threw the puppet off a cliff and burned its corpse alive. Talk about missed character design! Why not have it be a thing that, you know, runs around the pizzeria? Withered Bonnie is my favorite animatronic in the series, but in this game, he causes most deaths. They give you no time to react to anything, man!”
“What's more, and it's possibly just me, but I just didn't find the character designs quite as seamlessly spooky as they were the first time around.”
“Not the biggest fan of this one as it really only relies on luck, which is pretty frustrating, but some of the character designs are alright. I don't know.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is highly praised, with users noting its smooth performance across various devices, including laptops, desktops, and mobile platforms. The improvements in the Clickteam engine between iterations are also highlighted, contributing to a seamless gaming experience. Many reviewers express that the game runs exceptionally well, even suggesting it could perform on less powerful hardware.
“5 star game and highly recommend it; its performance for both laptops and desktops and mobile devices runs smoothly. Overall, it is a 5-star recommended game.”
“Performance: this game could probably run on a Game Boy (not literally) 10/10.”
“Performance: this game could probably run on a Game Boy (not literally) 10/10”
“Night 2: optimized difficulty.”
“Something must have been optimized in the Clickteam engine between FNAF 1 and FNAF 2.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with some reviewers feeling that it exploits the success of the original franchise without adding meaningful value. While some acknowledge that the sequel has a purpose beyond mere profit, many believe that subsequent entries have diminished in quality and appeal, primarily serving as vehicles for revenue generation.
“It feels like nothing more than a lazy cash grab designed to exploit the success of the original.”
“The first three games of the franchise are pretty scary, but after FNAF 4, those sequels just lose their appeal, turning into a cash grab by using the franchise.”
“FNAF 2, or in other words, YouTube cash grab 2014.”
Critic Reviews
Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review
Come for the one of the scariest environments youll sweat in, but try not to leave for the punishing level of difficulty.
70%Five Nights at Freddy's 2 Review - Ready for Freddy
Easily a better story than the first few nights out, but in Five Nights at Freddy's case, sometimes less is more.
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