Five Nights at Freddy's 4

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 15,243 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • atmosphere
Five Nights at Freddy's 4 Game Cover
The biggest frights of the ever-expanding series without quite the same unease and variety.
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In Five Nights at Freddy's 4, players are tasked with surviving a night of terror as a child, hiding from Freddy Fazbear, Chica, Bonnie, Foxy, and other creatures in their own home. With only a flashlight for protection, players must listen for approaching enemies and shine the light in their eyes to ward them off. The game is the final chapter in the original Five Nights at Freddy's story and promises even worse horrors lurking in the shadows.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 15,243 reviews
gameplay320 positive mentions
stability52 negative mentions
  • gameplay1,076 mentions

    The gameplay of "Five Nights at Freddy's 4" is characterized by its unique reliance on audio cues, particularly a breathing mechanic that heightens tension and fear, making it one of the scariest entries in the series. Players must navigate a more active environment without the safety of cameras, leading to a gameplay loop that is both challenging and engaging, though some find the mechanics unintuitive and frustrating. Overall, while opinions vary on its complexity and repetitiveness, many praise its innovative approach and atmospheric design, solidifying its place as a standout horror experience.

    • “The gameplay mechanics of 'Five Nights at Freddy's 4' are both simple and deceptively complex, requiring players to rely on keen observation and lightning-fast reflexes to survive.”
    • “The gameplay is heart-pounding and truly a standout in horror, fully taking advantage of darkness, injecting so much fear into the player, never allowing them to feel safe, yet forcing them to be brave if they want to survive.”
    • “With its spine-tingling gameplay mechanics, rich storytelling, and immersive world-building, the game delivers an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness, where nightmares lurk around every corner and terror reigns supreme.”
    • “I'll preface this by saying that no, I didn't beat FNAF 4, because it has in my opinion the worst gameplay loop of the entire main series and it frustrates me to the point of not wanting to play anymore.”
    • “The gameplay is a repetitive, monotonous loop, the jumpscares are way too loud for their own good, which is a problem considering the game encourages turning up the volume, the nightmare animatronic designs try so hard to be scary that they end up not being scary, and this is the point in the series where the lore became too cryptic and confusing for its own good.”
    • “The confusing gameplay mechanics combined with the more 'child-like' atmosphere makes FNAF 4 the worst game in the franchise.”
  • story932 mentions

    The story of "Five Nights at Freddy's 4" is characterized by its dark and convoluted narrative, focusing on the tragic experiences of a bullied child haunted by nightmarish animatronics. While some players appreciate the depth and emotional weight of the story, others find it overly complicated and disconnected from the earlier games in the series, leading to mixed feelings about its coherence and relevance. Overall, the game is noted for its chilling atmosphere and the intriguing lore that continues to engage fans, despite the narrative's complexity.

    • “At the heart of 'Five Nights at Freddy's 4' lies a rich and intricate tapestry of storytelling and lore, woven throughout the fabric of the game's nightmarish world.”
    • “From the tragic tale of the missing children and the vengeful spirits that haunt the halls of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza to the enigmatic origins of the animatronic nightmares that plague the protagonist's home, 'Five Nights at Freddy's 4' offers a deep and immersive exploration of the franchise's overarching storyline.”
    • “With its spine-tingling gameplay mechanics, rich storytelling, and immersive world-building, the game delivers an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness, where nightmares lurk around every corner and terror reigns supreme.”
    • “This is the point where the FNAF story was starting to get convoluted.”
    • “The only downside is this is the game responsible for making the story a gigantic mess that nobody sane actually cares about anymore.”
    • “The story in this entry is famously incomprehensible, the minigames are vague to the point where it feels like they're missing additional context, and the game makes the stupid decision of making everything super quiet to trick you into turning your volume up so when you get jumpscared it destroys your ears.”
  • atmosphere376 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Five Nights at Freddy's 4" is widely praised for its terrifying and immersive qualities, effectively utilizing sound design and ambient noises to evoke a sense of dread and primal fear. Players report feeling a constant tension and apprehension, as the game preys on childhood fears of darkness and lurking monsters, making it one of the scariest entries in the franchise. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the horror experience and keeping players on edge throughout their gameplay.

    • “With its relentless pacing and nerve-wracking atmosphere, 'Five Nights at Freddy's 4' keeps players on the edge of their seats from start to finish, delivering an adrenaline-fueled experience that is as exhilarating as it is terrifying.”
    • “What sets 'Five Nights at Freddy's 4' apart is its masterful use of audio and atmosphere to evoke primal fear.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing and when I go to the door and about to turn on the light my heart skips a beat because I don't know if they are actually there or not.”
    • “The atmosphere and environment fail to make you feel worried and uneasy for the following scares to have much of an effect on you.”
    • “The confusing gameplay mechanics combined with the more 'child-like' atmosphere makes FNAF 4 the worst game in the franchise.”
    • “The atmosphere is so uncomfortable.”
  • graphics232 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their significant improvement over previous installments, featuring detailed visuals, clever lighting, and a creepy atmosphere that enhances the horror experience. Many players noted the realistic and immersive design of the animatronics and environments, contributing to a terrifying ambiance, although some reported performance issues on lower-end computers. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout aspect of the game, elevating both the gameplay and storytelling.

    • “The detailed graphics, sound effects, and clever use of lighting create an ominous ambiance that continuously keeps players on edge.”
    • “The graphics are a step up from the previous games and in fact they are really good with a creepy design.”
    • “What a beautiful game too, the graphics are realistic, immersing you in the game, making you feel like you're really there, chilling with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and the gang.”
    • “The graphics can't be turned down, so low-end computers like mine run the game poorly.”
    • “The graphics are poor.”
    • “Not the best graphics, kinda like the other games, which is alright.”
  • music114 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its chilling ambiance and ability to enhance the atmosphere of dread, particularly in the main menu and during gameplay. However, some players criticize the background music for obscuring important audio cues, such as breathing sounds, which are crucial for gameplay. Overall, while the soundtrack is noted for its emotional impact and nostalgic ties to the series, its implementation in gameplay has sparked debate among players.

    • “One of the best soundtracks ever in a game.”
    • “I love the sound design in this game, so good, and the music.”
    • “The music, especially the menu music, is absolutely chilling and still gives me goosebumps just listening to it on YouTube.”
    • “Ngl there shouldn't be theme music while you are playing: you can't hear breathing.”
    • “The background music shouldn't be in a kid's room, and it blocks sound cues.”
    • “How am I supposed to listen for breathing--with no idea what that breathing might sound like--when the music swells annoyingly?”
  • humor98 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of genuine laughs and cheesy moments, with players finding amusement in exaggerated character designs and absurd scenarios. While some players appreciate the balance of humor and horror, others feel the game lacks comedic elements, leading to a divide in opinions on its funniness. Overall, humor is subjective, with many finding it more entertaining than scary, while others express disappointment in its comedic value.

    • “Hilarious with friends.”
    • “Very scary and funny; I peed myself multiple times.”
    • “But, that balance of humor and horror helps to break the tension between nights and not make the game feel tedious and dragging.”
    • “This game is not funny.”
    • “Not funny :(”
    • “Afton, stop, it's not funny.”
  • emotional56 mentions

    Players consistently report strong emotional reactions to the game, often crying due to its heart-wrenching storylines and terrifying gameplay. The narrative, particularly themes of child abuse and trauma, resonates deeply with many, leading to profound feelings of fear and sadness. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke intense emotions, making it a memorable experience for players.

    • “The heart-wrenching story of a child being tortured and eventually murdered by his brother truly resonated with my past experiences in life.”
    • “No other game I've ever played... no other thing in life really has made me feel this way so profoundly, and for that alone I heavily recommend it.”
    • “One more struggle is displayed in night 6 before a heartwarming ending that made me tear up... well done, Scott.”
  • stability52 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches, freezes, and crashes that significantly impact gameplay. While some users noted improvements after patches, others expressed frustration over unresolved issues, particularly on older systems. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable and terrifying, but its buggy nature detracts from the experience for many players.

    • “Goddamn, it's scary as hell, also as buggy as hell.”
    • “Why the hell is Scott or Clickteam doing nothing to fix these glitches or bugs or whatever they are?”
    • “Horrible, just horrible. So slow, freezes then crashes, and the whole story got out of control by the community.”
  • optimization48 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly with FNAF 4, which demands more processing power than their systems can provide. While other titles in the bundle run smoothly, users have noted delays in animations and loading screens that disrupt immersion, although these issues do not seem to severely impact overall gameplay. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be inconsistent, leading to frustration for some players.

    • “All the other FNAF games in the bundle pack run smoothly.”
    • “I have fine hearing, I have an optimized computer, and I have headphones for maximum sounds.”
    • “2 was fun at first, then got old and nothing startled me. They kept pushing these titles out like they were made in a hurry. These games were treated with poor optimization, poor graphics, repeated jump scares, one bland level, no music, and a high price for a game that feels like it belongs on a phone.”
    • “I have fine hearing, I have an optimized computer, and I have headphones for maximum sound, yet I'm still experiencing stuttering.”
    • “Although it has weird performance issues when loading the screens at the start of any night, it doesn't affect the gameplay enough to make you upset.”
  • grinding48 mentions

    Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, particularly around nights 3-5, where micromanagement becomes overwhelming. While some find enjoyment in the challenge, many agree that the repetitive nature of gameplay can detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than fun. Despite these criticisms, the balance of humor and horror is noted as a positive element that helps alleviate some of the tedium.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “At those points, the game completely stops being scary and starts getting very tedious.”
    • “It's just tedious micromanagement.”
    • “The game also has unfair gameplay and just a very tedious process to even win a night.”
  • replayability26 mentions

    The game's replayability is highly praised, particularly due to the addition of new content and challenges from the Halloween update, which encourages players to return for more. While some reviews suggest that earlier entries in the series may offer slightly higher replay value, many agree that the unique gameplay and freedom to explore different strategies in this installment make it a compelling experience. Overall, it is considered a fun and engaging game with significant replay potential.

    • “From facing off against nightmarish versions of beloved characters to surviving the relentless onslaught of Halloween-themed terrors, the update added a wealth of new content and replay value to the game, ensuring that players would return time and time again to face their fears anew.”
    • “The game's replay value and the freedom it grants players to explore multiple strategies enhance its entertainment factor.”
    • “I give FNAF 4 a 9.5/10; it has minor problems like trying to track down Fredbear and Nightmare, but overall is really fun and has a lot of replay value.”
    • “If you are like me, and prefer a replayable arcade-like experience with no or very light audio-based mechanics, then I recommend the prior games in the series.”
    • “Verdict: excellent game, worth a buy but only if you have the first game, as the first game is a little more replayable and it's cheaper. But FNAF 4 is simply more unique in terms of gameplay (by the way, the Halloween edition comes for free with it and you can choose to play either version at any time and all progress is carried over).”
    • “Replayability is fairly low, but does not discredit this game.”
  • character development20 mentions

    Character development in the game is primarily conveyed through its character designs, which, while sometimes perceived as over-the-top, effectively enhance the horror atmosphere and align with the narrative of a child experiencing nightmares. The designs are praised for their ability to evoke fear and contribute to the overall gameplay experience, despite some critiques regarding their creativity and the game's other elements feeling underdeveloped. Overall, the character designs are a standout feature, significantly impacting the game's ambiance and emotional engagement.

    • “It was necessary for their character development.”
    • “The character design (important in a horror game) is a bit overkill, but is quite effective given the setting and fits really well with the proposed scenario of a kid having nightmares.”
    • “The character designs, while not the most creative, are still good and effective at creating fear.”
    • “This is my personal favorite in the series simply based on the gameplay, ambience, and character designs, but objectively I can't recommend playing it, as everything else about the game feels horribly undercooked.”
    • “Few negatives would be the character designs; they feel a bit over the top, but I guess it makes sense story-wise. Being unable to change your controls is a small nitpick, as I don't like using Control and Shift to turn on the light or close the door; it just isn't comfortable for me, so I wish there were options to change keybindings.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the later entries in the franchise are perceived as cash grabs, lacking the appeal of the original three games. Additionally, there are concerns about misleading marketing, with incorrect trailers and images being displayed on Steam.

    • “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 exploiting the franchise.”
    • “Anyway, cash grab!”
    • “Steam currently posted the wrong trailers and pictures advertising this game, and the owner is currently changing the page to what it is supposed to be.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

37% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
2-16hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 30 analyzed playthroughs

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