Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location
- July 10, 2020
- Yu Ro
- 8h median play time
Genuinely terrifying, great storytelling, creepy designs - if it could find the right balance between varying mechanics, then it would have it all.
In Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location, you take on the role of a technician at Circus Baby's Entertainment and Rental, maintaining mechanical animals. The game features distinct nights with varying objectives, such as surviving enemy attacks or completing tasks. As the story unfolds, you'll explore hidden minigames and uncover surprising twists in this immersive horror experience.
Reviews
- story1,379 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in "Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, marking a significant shift from previous entries in the franchise. Reviewers highlight its immersive storytelling, strong character development, and engaging voice acting, which contribute to a more narrative-driven experience. However, some players find the plot convoluted and the gameplay tedious, suggesting that while the story is compelling, it may overshadow the traditional horror elements that fans expect from the series.
“The story is definitely the strongest aspect of the main game, and it steals the spotlight.”
“It's a testament to Scott Cawthon's storytelling prowess that the game manages to keep you hooked from start to finish.”
“Sister Location has lovely gameplay, amazing visuals, incredible music composed by Leon Riskin, and a fantastic story that makes the twisted world of Five Nights at Freddy's even better than it was before.”
“Honestly, I'd recommend doing that because you'll probably have more fun just watching someone play through the main game than actually playing it, and you'll still get all the story.”
“The story is pretty convoluted, but I suppose it could be worse.”
“This game is like a visual novel, if instead of a story it had cryptic voice lines, and between every page was a tedious 5-minute segment where you very cautiously do some mundane repetitive task, and failure will set you back what feels like 10 minutes of gameplay.”
- gameplay1,217 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location" represents a significant departure from previous entries in the series, introducing a variety of mechanics and tasks that change each night, which some players find refreshing while others see as lacking depth. While the game offers unique experiences and engaging storytelling, many reviews highlight issues with difficulty spikes, particularly on Night 4, and a sense of linearity that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as innovative yet flawed, appealing primarily to those invested in the lore rather than traditional gameplay mechanics.
“Going through the cameras, closing doors, trying to preserve battery life, it was peak FNAF gameplay, and I felt accomplished when I finally beat it.”
“The true gameplay starts with custom night and it's the best custom night in the series.”
“The gameplay is very well put together and actually balanced.”
“Night 4 is just the most atrocious and totally unnecessary gameplay in any horror game ever.”
“The gameplay of nights 1-5 is pretty much non-existent.”
“The gameplay is slow a lot of the time; the actual night parts are not fun or really that scary, the balancing of difficulty is hot trash, night 4 that is all I need to say for that.”
- graphics318 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received a mixed response from players, with many praising the improved visuals and aesthetic design compared to previous entries in the franchise. While some users highlight the stunning animations and immersive atmosphere, others note issues such as blurriness, glitches, and compatibility problems with certain graphics cards. Overall, the game is considered visually appealing, though it may not meet the expectations of those seeking next-gen graphics.
“Sister Location has lovely gameplay, amazing visuals, incredible music composed by Leon Riskin, and a fantastic story that makes the twisted world of Five Nights at Freddy's even better than it was before.”
“The graphics are amazing and the sound effects literally send shivers down your spine.”
“The graphics are some of the best in the series, and some textures even look 3D in some areas.”
“Great game but it can't be played on the newest graphic drivers for AMD; I have to install a very old one in order for it to work, which is a big hassle...”
“However, it is showing its age - the graphics are very blurry and that makes several sections significantly harder than they should be.”
“This game is poorly made, and the graphics aren't as good as the pictures make them out to be.”
- humor268 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and ability to break tension, often blending dark comedy with the horror elements of the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise. Players appreciate the comedic timing of characters like the Hand Unit and the humorous cutscenes, which provide comic relief amidst the scares. While some jokes may not resonate with everyone, the overall consensus is that the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making it both entertaining and engaging.
“A very different experience that manages to stay funny and scary at the same time.”
“The hand unit is hilarious and the TV novel too.”
“This game can be funny as hell, which is much needed, as the previous games were very stressful.”
- atmosphere210 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively combining sound design, visuals, and environmental details to create a sense of dread and tension. Many players appreciate the unique blend of horror and humor, although some feel that the gameplay mechanics can detract from the overall spookiness. Overall, the game successfully delivers a gripping and unsettling atmosphere that enhances the horror experience, making it a standout entry in the franchise.
“It's a creepy environment and atmosphere coupled with terrifying jumpscares that makes this game a really good horror game.”
“The eerie ambience, accompanied by the haunting music and spine-tingling animatronic voices, creates an atmosphere of dread that permeates every corner of the game.”
“The game's environments are beautifully crafted, with each room exuding a unique atmosphere that adds to the overall sense of unease.”
“Unfortunately, the entire game, to me, just doesn't ooze the spooky atmosphere I would have expected.”
“Jump scares don't really do much on me and the atmosphere was not potent.”
“The horror element is completely different from the previous four games, while the jump scares aren't as loud and they are still scary and in your face, but the real horror is the general atmosphere of the game, having to go through pitch black rooms with the possibility of death with every move.”
- music162 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location" is widely praised for its haunting and immersive quality, composed by Leon Riskin, which enhances the game's eerie atmosphere. Players appreciate the diverse soundtrack, including memorable songs like "Join Us for a Bite," and the effective use of audio cues that contribute to the gameplay experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's narrative and emotional impact.
“The eerie ambience, accompanied by the haunting music and spine-tingling animatronic voices, creates an atmosphere of dread that permeates every corner of the game.”
“Sister Location has lovely gameplay, amazing visuals, incredible music composed by Leon Riskin, and a fantastic story that makes the twisted world of Five Nights at Freddy's even better than it was before.”
“The voice acting is phenomenal, the music is extraordinarily goosebumpy, and the development is the best Cawthon has ever done; he has really outdone himself, making a game way better than the others in this installment.”
“Night four, I swear I'm so close it's gotten to the point I muted the audio and I have to blast music in my earbuds instead to cope.”
“Audio not working, I can't hear Baby at all, I can't hear Funtime Freddy or Bonnie, and the handy unit doesn't work on night 2 (I haven't been able to go any further due to lack of audio) and I can't hear Ballora's music.”
“However, this glitch causes an audio malfunction that caused me to lose the game by not allowing me to hear things such as Circus Baby's voice and cut scenes, voices from Bidybab, and finally Ballora's music when crawling through the Ballora Gallery, ultimately causing me to not know when she's near, leading to me losing.”
- grinding98 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the need to repeatedly complete mundane tasks and navigate poorly designed segments. While some minigames offer moments of fun, the overall gameplay experience is marred by long, drawn-out sequences that detract from the intended horror atmosphere, leading to a consensus that the game often feels boring and frustrating rather than engaging.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The voice actors did great though, they're definitely a highlight of the game but no amount of great voice acting and story can make up for a tedious, boring game.”
“Performing the same, menial tasks over and over again ended up taking the 'scare' away from it and the game just ended up being tedious and, worst of all, boring.”
“The gameplay is boring and tedious and the story feels like a cop-out of the lore that was already established.”
- replayability78 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with many reviewers noting that the main gameplay lacks depth for multiple playthroughs. However, the addition of a custom night mode has been praised for enhancing replay value, offering varied challenges and experiences. While the narrative is compelling, it seems the game is primarily designed for a single, impactful playthrough rather than extensive replayability.
“It's excellent on a first playthrough, and while it doesn't hold up on repeat playthroughs, it does have a lot of replayability with the custom night that was added in a later update.”
“The custom night is like the classic FNAF formula, but each character has their own (completely different) behavior, which does add to the replayability.”
“There is much more replay value in the game now, and the custom night is like a whole new game within the original game.”
“The game has little to no replayability.”
“There is really not a lot of replay value when it comes to the main game, however.”
“Due to it being a story-driven, on-rails pseudo walking sim, there is zero replay value whatsoever outside of the only actually well-made gameplay-wise but often overlooked custom night.”
- emotional34 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of the game is profound, with players expressing feelings of heartbreak and deep investment in the characters, particularly the animatronics. The narrative prompts players to confront complex themes surrounding technology and identity, evoking a range of emotions from joy to sorrow. Overall, the game is described as dark yet brilliant, leaving players feeling both disturbed and emotionally fulfilled.
“Sister Location prompts us to confront the implications of technology as an extension of our own identity and the consequences of creating entities that bear our emotional and psychological marks.”
“There's also a part of this game that shocked even me, and without going into spoiler territory, made me emotionally invested in the animatronics.”
“It's dark, emotional, disturbing and brilliant in every way...and it easily rivals the amazing storytelling perspective of FNAF 4.”
- stability32 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 81 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players reporting no glitches or bugs, while others have experienced freezing issues and various glitches, particularly during specific gameplay moments. Updates have reportedly addressed some of these issues, but players are still advised to be cautious if seeking a completely bug-free experience. Overall, the developer's responsiveness to glitches has been positively noted.
“No glitches, no bugs. I recommend it to anyone who asks for a top-of-the-line horror game.”
“It's a really good game, no glitches, everything is good. This game is awesome.”
“This game runs smoothly with no issues, making it a great choice for players looking for stability.”
“It merely freezes up the game, and locks the mouse into the center of my computer screen.”
“It freezes every time.... please help.”
“This game is a great addition, but it's really buggy; I can't get past night two after I close the grate a second time.”
- character development22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is praised for its depth and complexity, contributing to a dark and twisted narrative that enhances the overall experience. The character designs are consistently highlighted as exceptional, with detailed models and voice acting that elevate the storytelling. While the game introduces new lore and mechanics, opinions vary on its overall impact within the franchise, with some considering it a significant step forward despite its differences from previous titles.
“Now basically I have to say one thing, I absolutely loved this game, the story was dark, the character development was good, gameplay-wise, the game completely switched it up.”
“This game is significantly different compared to the ones before it, the story is kind of strange and creates a bunch of new real weird theories, however, the diverse mechanics, voice acting, music, character designs, atmosphere, easter eggs, etc. are all amazing and a fantastic continuation of this franchise, a step in the right direction.”
“First, I should say that character designs and detailing are amazing!”
“The only positives this game has are its additions to the lore of the universe, its character designs, and saving the franchise after the lull created by FNAF World; which has a better core gameplay loop than this abomination.”
“The story, character design, sound design, music, and visuals here are some of the best in the original Scott Cawthon series of FNAF games, but the character development feels lacking and doesn't build on the potential established in previous titles.”
“While the character designs are visually appealing, the development of the characters themselves is shallow and fails to engage players on a deeper emotional level.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a "cash grab," suggesting that it may prioritize profit over player experience. Despite this, some players appreciate the unique gameplay spin it offers compared to previous titles in the franchise.
“Mfw cash grab”
- optimization4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its smooth performance and effective optimization, providing a refreshing experience with new elements. Reviewers rate it highly, indicating that it runs well and enhances gameplay.
“I would rate this game 4.25/5 stars, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a breath of fresh air from the previous games and wants a custom night that runs smoothly and introduces new elements.”
“Great gameplay, runs smoothly”
Critic Reviews
Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location Review - Not What You Expected
Genuinely terrifying, great storytelling, creepy designs - if it could find the right balance between varying mechanics, then it would have it all.
90%Review: Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location
Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.
60%