Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2
- December 14, 2023
- Steel Wool Studios
- 8h median play time
In "Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2," players return as Fazbear Entertainment employees, tasked with managing and maintaining the pizzeria while exploring new areas like the Pizzaplex Salon and Fazcade. Behind-the-scenes work includes first aid, diagnostics, and food preparation, blending horror and amusement park gameplay. This sequel builds upon the original VR experience, offering a mix of terrifying encounters and classic mini-games.
Reviews
- story232 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in "Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2" has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it enjoyable and rich in lore, while others describe it as lackluster and confusing, especially for newcomers to the franchise. Many appreciate the subtle storytelling and plot twists, but note that it often feels secondary to the gameplay, which is generally praised. Overall, while the game offers fun mini-games and engaging gameplay, those seeking a strong narrative may be disappointed.
“The endings were both fun to get; I like how they do the storytelling in this one.”
“Very enjoyable, scary but rich in story.”
“The narrative is gripping, keeping players invested in the story as they navigate the horrors that unfold within the haunted walls of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.”
“However, the story is very lackluster and underwhelming.”
“Story-wise, don't even bother; that 'story' is long gone, and I feel like at this point Scott wants to slap any kind of 'story' just to make another game. If you want me to be brutally honest, it's just not fun anymore.”
“The game's story is a bit lacking, but I don't think the average player will care about that.”
- gameplay154 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2" is widely praised for its variety and innovation, featuring a mix of engaging minigames that blend horror and fun. While some players feel it lacks the intense scares of the original, many appreciate the unique mechanics and replayability, making it a strong entry in the series. Overall, the game is seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a captivating experience despite some minor frustrations with tutorials and mechanics.
“The gameplay is a perfect blend of familiarity and innovation.”
“The game's immersive environments, lifelike animatronics, and heart-pounding gameplay mechanics combine to create an atmosphere of palpable terror, keeping me on the edge of my seat with each passing night shift.”
“This game is worth it purely for the gameplay factor; there are 41 minigames, each one better than the other, there is not a single one that I think was a drag or boring to get through.”
“This is an awful Freddy game with zero good scares (minus the twink fox sprinting full speed, dude wtf) and only a sliver of the sit and survive gameplay I have come to love and expect from the series.”
“I am sorry, but whoever manages FNAF right now, what the heck are you doing? I am not playing this game for happy moments; I am playing it to jump off my chair in fear. Yet there are no moments where you jump off your chair in fear... wait, there are none. Eight hours of gameplay and I didn't get terrified like the other games did to me, and the mechanics are repetitive, but not in a good way.”
“Not a game for those looking for a FNAF experience with similar gameplay compared to the previous Help Wanted.”
- graphics119 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game have received widespread acclaim, with many users praising them as a significant improvement over previous titles in the franchise. The visuals are described as stunning and immersive, effectively enhancing the gameplay experience, particularly in VR mode. However, some reviews noted inconsistencies in quality across different mini-games, with a few areas appearing less realistic. Overall, the graphics are considered a highlight, contributing to the game's engaging atmosphere and replayability.
“The graphics are nothing short of phenomenal, with a level of detail that brings the animatronics to life in the most horrifying way possible.”
“The graphics are a major improvement from the franchise's first VR entry.”
“The visuals alone also compete with games like Half-Life Alyx, from the lighting bouncing off different objects to the shadows among the corners.”
“Next graphics, the look of some areas look less realistic, almost fan-made.”
“Content is bad and graphics feel from 2019.”
“I think the biggest problem about this game is bad graphics; for me, this game looks worse than Help Wanted 1.”
- music54 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, particularly for the DJ Music Man minigames, which players find both fun and immersive. The soundtrack and sound design are praised for enhancing the horror experience, with many noting the unique and custom-made tracks that contribute to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the audio elements are considered a standout feature, elevating the gameplay and providing a memorable experience.
“The levels are almost all unique and custom made, and the music that comes with these mini games is also a huge improvement.”
“The audio design is exceptional, with a haunting soundtrack that sets the perfect tone for the game.”
“The jumpscares, soundtrack, and overall creativity put into this game are a 10/10, one of the best VR experiences out there.”
“These are all extremely lazy minigames that have been available for free on VRChat and Rec Room for years.”
“I can finally comprehend the scale of the music man, and recognize he is probably the most terrifying animatronic this series has ever produced.”
- replayability50 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many users highlighting the fun and varied minigames that encourage repeated playthroughs. Improvements over the previous installment, such as better graphics and randomization in gameplay, contribute to a more engaging experience, although some minigames are noted to lack depth. While the game offers a wealth of content and challenges, a few players feel that certain aspects could still benefit from additional replay options.
“The game is another mixture of horror and really fun dark humor, but it does give this game a lot of replay value.”
“With its extensive content and replayability, you'll find yourself coming back for more scares and challenges.”
“The replayability of this game is insane; 90% of the minigames are easily replayable and fun to get through.”
“General consensus: buy the game if you're extremely bored, it's really nothing more than just a bunch of minigames and they lose replayability easily (especially if you're doing 100%)”
“The difficulty is laughable and most of the games aren't worthwhile as they barely ramp up difficulty and have no replay value.”
“Wish it had more replayability or endless-mode options (I don't think there are)”
- stability31 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting minor bugs and glitches, particularly on PC, which can detract from the experience. While some users found the game relatively bug-free and enjoyable, others experienced significant issues, including crashes and performance problems. Despite these challenges, many still consider it a fun and engaging title, especially in VR, suggesting that future patches may improve stability further.
“The experience is relatively bug free; however, I have experienced a couple of issues while attempting to grab objects in certain levels.”
“It's longer, not buggy, there are a couple of hard mini-games instead of just one like the first game, and much more.”
“I got the game at 9 in the morning, so right at launch it's really good. A big improvement from security at launch and it's decently bug free apart from some minor bugs.”
“Buggy as usual thanks to Steel Wool.”
“Shit doesn't work, buggy mess and not worth 30 pounds. Do not buy.”
“Going to leave a negative review to reflect how buggy this game was at launch.”
- atmosphere31 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and terrifying qualities, effectively blending suspense and horror through lifelike graphics, sound design, and environmental details. Players appreciate the tension created by the game's settings, which range from creepy to claustrophobic, enhancing the overall experience and keeping them engaged. While some mini-games may not be overtly scary, they contribute to a pervasive sense of dread that foreshadows more intense moments, making the atmosphere a standout feature of the game.
“The game's immersive environments, lifelike animatronics, and heart-pounding gameplay mechanics combine to create an atmosphere of palpable terror, keeping me on the edge of my seat with each passing night shift.”
“Each jump scare is crafted with precision, and the atmosphere is so tense that you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat throughout the entire game.”
“The game masterfully blends suspense and horror, using sound and visual cues to create an atmosphere that keeps you coming back for more, even if your heart is racing the entire time.”
“The mini-games are simple but the atmosphere is terrifying.”
“I remember that I physically had to prepare myself and get ready for sections like FNAF 1, dark rooms, and night terrors specifically because they did atmosphere so well and kept most of the areas super dark and (for the most part) cramped and claustrophobic.”
“One of Security Breach's major flaws was not delivering on a terrifying and unnerving atmosphere that kept you in suspense and on guard, but as you can see within Help Wanted 2, that's just isn't the case at all.”
- grinding25 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 52 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as tedious, lifeless, and requiring excessive time investment. While some minigames are considered enjoyable, a significant portion is viewed as unnecessarily complicated and long, leading to frustration. Overall, players feel that the grinding detracts from the overall experience, despite some redeeming qualities in the game's design.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It was so dreadful and tedious and lifeless.”
“Some minigames are extremely long and can be very tedious (daycare, log ride, Fazerblast, Fizzy Faz nights).”
“The minigames are unnecessarily complicated and tedious for a very low payout.”
- optimization25 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed reviews. While some players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, others experience significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems or specific VR setups. The game is generally well-optimized for higher-end PCs, but there are notable concerns regarding performance on various VR platforms, indicating a need for further improvements.
“My PC build was very similar to the minimum requirement, and even on high graphic settings, I do not recall any lag spikes from the performance.”
“This game is really well optimized, unlike, again, Security Breach.”
“I didn't run into any game-breaking bugs or anything of the sort; it ran beautifully and buttery smooth, with no performance problems whatsoever caused by the game.”
“The first of the food safety levels where you play as a fast food worker delivering meals in El Chip's was having 'stuttering' issues where I felt like everything in the level was shaking, and it quickly delivered a headache as a player.”
“Horribly optimized (even on low graphics, with a link cable, plus I have a decent PC), terrible instructions in the few mini-games I tried, not scary at all, absolutely overhyped.”
“There is no normal optimization for Oculus; I have Oculus Quest 1 and the maximum FPS is 40, 50, usually 30. My PC is a 3060 i5 13500.”
- humor21 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its blend of dark comedy and lighthearted moments, contributing to its replay value and overall enjoyment. Players appreciate the funny elements, such as humorous contracts and amusing character interactions, which balance the game's horror aspects. While some minigames are genuinely scary, the comedic undertones and clever Easter eggs enhance the overall experience, making it both thrilling and entertaining.
“The game is another mixture of horror and really fun dark humor, but it does give this game a lot of replay value.”
“Best game in the franchise, great plot twists, crazy lore implications and funny moments, as well as some amazing scares.”
“Good yes amazing game, like the funny Easter eggs Steel Wool put in the game.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, particularly highlighting the impact of characters like Roxy, which elicited strong feelings, including tears. However, technical issues and gameplay choices detracted from the overall experience, leaving some players frustrated despite the emotional highs.
“I cried.”
“Baby made me cry.”
“Roxy made me feel things...”
- monetization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for feeling like a cash grab, with reviewers expressing disappointment over a lack of originality and polish, suggesting that the franchise is being excessively exploited. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements, the overall sentiment indicates a desire for a fresh approach rather than repetitive content.
“The game developers are not cash grabbing or remaking the same thing over and over.”
“I appreciate that the monetization model feels fair and doesn't pressure players into spending money.”
“The in-game purchases are optional and don't hinder the overall experience.”
“While it isn't broken or bloated like Security Breach, this game really feels like a cash grab to make up for that game's failure, and between it and this game, I think the series needs a new developer.”
“This game lacks any originality or polish and more or less feels like a cash grab on the franchise that's already getting milked into the ground.”
“Just that they aren't cash grabbing or remaking the same thing over and over.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its impressive designs and attention to detail, which enhance immersion and contribute to a chilling atmosphere. Reviewers note significant improvements in character design and environments compared to previous installments, highlighting the creativity and intensity of the experience. Overall, the character development is seen as a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
“The attention to detail in the character designs and environments adds to the overall immersion, making every moment feel intense and chilling.”
“Help Wanted 2 is a vast improvement from Help Wanted 1 in terms of environments, character design, materials, all of the above.”
“Best FNAF game I have ever played, honestly super scary and mind-blowing creativity and character designs.”