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.
The introduction of new mechanics like the music box and Freddy mask adds complexity and challenge to the gameplay.
The character designs and lore are praised for their creativity, contributing to a compelling experience.
The game's atmosphere is effectively creepy, with immersive sound design and dimly lit environments that enhance the horror experience.
The gameplay loop is criticized for being repetitive and tedious, leading to a lack of engagement over time.
Many players feel the reliance on RNG elements detracts from the overall enjoyment and horror atmosphere.
The plot is considered convoluted and poorly presented, leaving players confused rather than intrigued.
gameplay
1,692 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
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 criticize the reliance on RNG elements and repetitive gameplay loops, which can detract from the overall enjoyment and horror atmosphere. While the game is seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor in terms of mechanics and intensity, it also faces criticism for its lack of variety among animatronic behaviors and the overwhelming nature of its multitasking requirements.
“The gameplay in 2 is kind of insane.”
“It expands in every way from the original, but still being true to its core gameplay and what made it so great and successful.”
“The gameplay loop changes from the first, having 11 animatronics instead of the 4, which amps up the intensity of the gameplay, making it significantly more challenging than the first over the 5 nights and custom night.”
“Five Nights at Freddy's 2 has awful gameplay and I would recommend skipping it unless you're a big fan of the franchise.”
“That is good and all, however, all of that is unfortunately not enough to save this game from its absolutely abysmal gameplay.”
“The gameplay loop of FNAF 2 is horribly tedious, and it honestly lacks the atmosphere and horror of the first game.”
music
1,662 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
86%
9%
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 tension it adds to the gameplay, others feel it detracts from the overall experience by making the camera system largely irrelevant and creating a repetitive gameplay loop focused on winding the music box. The soundtrack and ambient sounds, however, are generally praised for enhancing the game's eerie atmosphere.
“Everything from the iconic menu music to ambience is very recognizable today.”
“The unsettling ambiance, combined with the eerie animatronic noises and the ominous music, creates an immersive experience that amplifies the sense of dread.”
“The music, ambience, gameplay, mechanics, plot, easter eggs, and challenges are twice as good in this game.”
“The music box mechanic sucks.”
“That music box ruins the gameplay loop, and afterwards it loses all charm.”
“The gameplay is rather boring, wind the music box, put on the mask, flash withered foxy, repeat.”
story
1,113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
70%
3%
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 while introducing new elements like the infamous "purple guy" and the chilling backstory of child murders. Players appreciate the subtle storytelling through phone calls, environmental cues, and hidden mini-games that encourage exploration and theorizing about the narrative. However, some find the plot convoluted and challenging to follow, leading to mixed feelings about its presentation and coherence. Overall, the game is recognized for its engaging narrative that enhances the horror experience.
“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 really gets going in this one, and sets up so many awesome things for later games to expand upon.”
“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.”
atmosphere
368 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The atmosphere in "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" is a mixed bag, with many players noting a decline in the intense horror and dread that characterized the original game. While some appreciate the game's eerie sound design and immersive environments, others feel that the chaotic gameplay and reliance on jump scares detract from the overall atmospheric experience. Overall, the game maintains a creepy ambiance but lacks the cohesive tension and fear that made its predecessor so memorable.
“The game's atmosphere is impeccably crafted, with dimly lit corridors, eerie animatronic characters, and a chilling soundtrack that keeps you on edge throughout every second of gameplay.”
“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 atmosphere, the audio, the jump scares, the animatronics, and even the new game mechanics like the Freddy head, flashlight, and no doors to defend yourself against really turned this into an absolutely terrifying experience for me, especially knowing the animatronics could just jump out of the darkness at any given moment.”
“This game does not feel anywhere near as scary as the first one. I get that it's supposed to feel chaotic and overwhelming, but at the same time, this is supposed to be a horror game, so I feel like some proper spooky atmosphere would be very much appropriate. Just a shame that Scott had to make it the way he did.”
“The atmosphere took a big hit compared to the first one, but the gameplay is fun.”
“The gameplay loop of FNAF 2 is horribly tedious, and it honestly lacks the atmosphere and horror of the first game.”
graphics
358 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
60%
6%
The graphics of "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" receive mixed reviews, with some praising the improved visuals and 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 tension and gameplay. Overall, while the graphics are not groundbreaking, they are seen as a step up from the first game 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 upgraded from the first game, and the new animatronics are even more terrifying than the original cast.”
“In addition to its gameplay, FNAF 2 also boasts impressive visuals and sound design.”
“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.”
“The graphic is disgusting and I almost vomited; it looks like it's from a PS1 Sony game that is very old!”
humor
212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a key aspect, with players finding the jumpscares and quirky animatronics amusing rather than purely frightening. Many reviews mention the comedic elements of the gameplay, such as the silly antics of characters like Balloon Boy and the absurdity of certain situations, making it enjoyable to play with friends or watch others react. Overall, the blend of humor and horror creates a unique experience that resonates well with fans, even if some moments fall flat for others.
“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.”
“Not funny.”
“Ok this is not funny!”
“Not funny, didn't laugh”
grinding
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
53%
44%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players noting that it requires an excessive time commitment and becomes repetitive and tedious, especially during harder levels. The gameplay loop is described as monotonous, often leading to frustration rather than enjoyment, and the overall experience is marred by a lack of meaningful progression and engaging mechanics. While some players appreciate the challenge, the overwhelming consensus is that the grinding detracts significantly from the game's enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“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.”
“The game's atmosphere is creepy for about 10-15 minutes before the pattern of the game becomes tedious and boring.”
replayability
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
54%
14%
FNAF 2 is generally regarded as highly replayable due to its various difficulty levels, hidden secrets, and engaging gameplay mechanics, which encourage players to explore minigames and collect easter eggs. However, some players feel that the repetitive nature of the gameplay can diminish its long-term appeal, leading to mixed opinions on its overall replay value. While many find it more replayable than its predecessor, FNAF 1, others argue that once the game is completed, the incentive to replay diminishes significantly.
“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.”
“You can make it as easy or difficult on yourself as you want, and it adds so much to the game's longevity and replay value.”
“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.”
“Overall it's a pretty good game to play casually but once you beat it, replay value is very low.”
“Because you're pretty much doing the same thing over and over again, there is a lack of replayability as you can only do the same thing so many times before it gets dull.”
emotional
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a profound emotional connection to the game, often resulting in tears and intense feelings of fear and attachment. Many reviewers highlight moments that evoke deep sadness or nostalgia, particularly related to the characters and their backstories, while others mention the game's ability to elicit a mix of fear and joy. Overall, the emotional impact is a significant aspect of the gameplay experience, with players frequently describing it as both heartwarming and haunting.
“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.”
“Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
character development
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
43%
7%
Character development in the game is highlighted by impressive character designs and a rich lore that expands on the franchise's narrative. Many players appreciate the unique quirks and visual details of the characters, particularly the "withered" animatronics, although some feel that the atmosphere and spookiness have declined compared to earlier installments. Overall, the game is praised for its creativity and variety in character design, contributing to a compelling experience despite some gameplay frustrations.
“The character designs are great, with Withered Foxy being my all-time favorite, and the lore here is great as well!”
“This is one of the best FNAF games to have ever come out with really unique character designs, fantastic style of gameplay, and has unique lore that the fans can enjoy.”
“The character designs are all wonderfully creepy, and each of them has 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 then burned its corpse alive. Talk about missed character design! Why not have it be a thing that 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.”
stability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The game exhibits a range of stability issues, with users reporting various glitches such as unresponsive buttons, freezing, and unexpected character behavior. While these bugs can detract from the experience, many players still find the gameplay enjoyable and the overall design appealing. Overall, the stability is considered a notable concern, but it does not overshadow the game's fun elements.
“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?”
“There are some glitches in the game, such as Foxy jumping out from the walls when you're not looking directly down the hallway, or him popping out of your camera from time to time.”
optimization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance across various devices, including laptops, desktops, and mobile platforms. The improvements in the Clickteam engine between iterations are noted, contributing to a seamless experience, while some players humorously suggest it could run on older hardware. The game is consistently recommended for its optimized performance and engaging difficulty.
“5 star game and highly recommend it; its performance for both laptops and desktops and mobile devices runs smoothly.”
“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.”
monetization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users labeling it as a cash grab that exploits the franchise's success, particularly after the earlier installments. While some appreciate the game's contribution to the lore, the presence of microtransactions in a free-to-play model has drawn criticism, suggesting a lack of genuine value in the sequels. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment regarding the monetization strategy.
“The game is free to play, but it does include microtransactions.”
“It's a free game, but there are microtransactions available.”
“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.”