Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNaF) is a survival horror game that took the internet by storm with its simple yet terrifying gameplay. Developed by Scott Cawthon, the game puts you in the role of a night security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a family-friendly entertainment center reminiscent of Chuck E. Cheese’s. However, the animatronic characters that entertain during the day become murderous at night, and your job is to survive until 6 AM.
This guide will provide you with a comprehensive walkthrough of how to play Five Nights at Freddy’s, offering tips and strategies to help you make it through all five (or more!) nights.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the specifics, let’s cover the fundamental elements of the game:
- The Objective: Survive each night from 12 AM to 6 AM. Each hour lasts approximately 86 seconds in real-time.
- The Threat: Four animatronic characters – Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie the Bunny, Chica the Chicken, and Foxy the Pirate Fox – roam freely at night and will attempt to enter your office.
- Your Resources: You are confined to a small office with limited resources:
- Security Cameras: A network of cameras allows you to monitor the animatronics’ movements throughout the pizzeria.
- Doors: You can close the doors on either side of your office to prevent animatronics from entering. However, closing the doors consumes power.
- Lights: You can briefly illuminate the hallways outside your doors to check for animatronics. Using the lights also consumes power.
- Power: Everything you do – closing doors, using the lights, and viewing the cameras – drains your power. If the power runs out, you are left vulnerable to Freddy Fazbear.
The Animatronics and Their Behaviors
Understanding the animatronics’ behavior patterns is crucial for survival. Each animatronic has a unique movement pattern and strategy for attacking:
- Freddy Fazbear: The main antagonist, Freddy is the most cunning and unpredictable. He typically stays in the Show Stage at the beginning but gradually moves closer to your office as the night progresses. He follows a set path: Show Stage -> Dining Area -> Restrooms -> Kitchen -> East Hall Corner -> Your Office. Freddy is more active on nights 4 and 5. He will only attack when the power is out; when the power goes out, you’ll hear his laughter, and then he’ll appear in your office.
- Bonnie the Bunny: Bonnie typically moves along the left side of the pizzeria. He starts on the Show Stage and moves through the Backstage, Dining Area, West Hall, and West Hall Corner, eventually reaching your door. Bonnie is usually very active early in the night.
- Chica the Chicken: Chica typically moves along the right side of the pizzeria. She starts on the Show Stage and moves through the Dining Area, Kitchen, Restrooms, East Hall, and East Hall Corner, eventually reaching your door. Chica is often heard making kitchen noises (clattering pots and pans) and can be a bit slower than Bonnie.
- Foxy the Pirate Fox: Foxy is initially contained within Pirate Cove. If left unmonitored, he will gradually emerge from behind his curtain. If he fully escapes, he will sprint down the West Hall to your office. Regularly checking Pirate Cove is essential to keep Foxy at bay. If you don’t check on Foxy, he will leave Pirate Cove and run towards your office. The less you check on him, the faster he gets out of Pirate Cove.
A Night-by-Night Guide and Strategies
Here’s a breakdown of each night and strategies for surviving:
Night 1
Night 1 is relatively easy and serves as an introduction to the game mechanics. The animatronics are less aggressive, giving you time to learn their movement patterns and how to manage your power.
- Conserve Power: Avoid unnecessary use of the doors and lights. Only use them when you suspect an animatronic is near your office.
- Check the Cameras Regularly: Cycle through the cameras, paying attention to the Show Stage (CAM 1A), West Hall (CAM 2A and CAM 2B), East Hall (CAM 4A and CAM 4B), and Pirate Cove (CAM 1C).
- Monitor Bonnie and Chica: Keep a close eye on Bonnie (left side) and Chica (right side). Close the door corresponding to the side where you see them standing in the hallway outside your office.
- Check Pirate Cove: Keep an eye on Foxy in Pirate Cove. Make sure to check in on him every once in a while to ensure he does not leave Pirate Cove.
Night 2
Night 2 introduces a slightly increased level of difficulty. The animatronics become more active, requiring you to be more vigilant and efficient with your resources.
- Refine Your Camera Rotation: Develop a consistent camera rotation to quickly check the positions of each animatronic. Prioritize checking areas where they are most likely to move.
- Strategic Door Usage: Don’t keep the doors closed unnecessarily. Open them when the animatronics have moved away from your office to conserve power. Use the lights to check if they are immediately outside before opening the door.
- Listen for Audio Cues: Pay attention to the sounds in the game. Bonnie and Chica often make distinct sounds as they move, which can help you anticipate their arrival.
Night 3
Night 3 marks a significant jump in difficulty. The animatronics are much more active, and power management becomes even more critical. Foxy also becomes a bigger threat.
- Prioritize Power Conservation: Be extremely frugal with your power usage. Only use the doors and lights when absolutely necessary.
- Monitor Foxy Closely: Foxy will become much more active on this night. Make sure to check Pirate Cove frequently to prevent him from escaping. If you see him running down the West Hall, immediately close the left door.
- Anticipate Animatronic Movements: Try to predict where the animatronics will move next based on their previous positions. This will help you react quickly and efficiently.
Night 4
Night 4 is widely considered the most challenging night in the game. All four animatronics are extremely aggressive, and power drains quickly. Freddy becomes a significant threat when the power goes out.
- Minimize Camera Usage: Only check the cameras when you absolutely need to. Overusing the cameras will drain your power rapidly.
- Listen Carefully: Rely heavily on audio cues to detect the animatronics’ movements.
- Prepare for Freddy: If the power goes out, immediately stop moving and wait. Freddy will play his music box jingle. If you are lucky, he will only get to your office at 6 AM. If he enters your office, it will be a jumpscare and the end of your night.
- Quick Reactions: Be prepared to react instantly to any animatronic movements. Closing the doors at the last possible second can save power and prevent an attack.
Night 5
Night 5 is similar in difficulty to Night 4, but some players find it slightly easier due to increased familiarity with the animatronics’ behavior.
- Apply All Previous Strategies: Combine all the strategies you’ve learned from the previous nights.
- Maintain Focus: Stay alert and focused throughout the entire night. Even a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to failure.
- Celebrate Your Success: If you manage to survive Night 5, congratulations! You’ve completed the main game.
Night 6 (Bonus Night)
Night 6 is unlocked after completing Night 5. It features even more aggressive animatronics and requires perfect execution of all your strategies. You can also customize the animatronic AI levels (from 0 to 20) by completing this night.
Night 7 (Custom Night)
Night 7, also known as Custom Night, allows you to adjust the AI difficulty levels of each animatronic, adding incredible replayability to the game. Beating 1987 mode unlocks a cutscene.
General Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks to improve your chances of survival:
- Develop a Routine: Establish a consistent routine for checking the cameras and monitoring the doors. This will help you stay organized and react quickly to threats.
- Use Audio Cues: Pay close attention to the sounds in the game. Bonnie and Chica often make distinct noises as they move, providing valuable clues about their location.
- Conserve Power: Power management is the most critical aspect of the game. Avoid unnecessary use of the doors, lights, and cameras.
- Anticipate Movements: Try to predict where the animatronics will move next based on their previous positions. This will give you a slight advantage.
- Stay Calm: Panic can lead to mistakes. Try to remain calm and focused, even when under pressure.
- Learn from Mistakes: If you fail a night, analyze what went wrong and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Camera Switching Speed: Quick camera switching is crucial. Practice your camera rotation to become faster and more efficient.
- Door Discipline: Closing doors only when necessary is essential. Avoid keeping them closed for extended periods, as this drains power quickly.
- Light Usage: Use the lights sparingly. A quick flash is often enough to check if an animatronic is outside your door.
- Foxy’s Pattern: Understand Foxy’s escape pattern. Regular monitoring of Pirate Cove is vital to prevent his attacks.
- Freddy’s Appearance: Freddy’s laughter indicates he’s moved closer. When the power goes out, remain still and hope he’s far enough away.
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play, the better you’ll become at anticipating the animatronics’ movements and managing your resources.
- Use Headphones: Headphones can significantly enhance your ability to hear the animatronics’ movements and other important audio cues.
- Manage your fear: This game is designed to be scary! Remember that it is just a game and try to stay relaxed.
Advanced Strategies
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore more advanced strategies to further improve your gameplay:
- The Golden Freddy Glitch: Sometimes, when you flip up the camera and then back down, a poster of Golden Freddy appears on the West Hall corner. If you see this, immediately flip the camera back up, or he will appear in your room and kill you.
- Strategic Camera Placement: Focus your camera checks on the most critical locations based on the animatronics’ current positions.
- Sound Manipulation: Use the game’s audio to your advantage. Listen for specific sounds that indicate an animatronic is about to attack.
- Power Cycle Optimization: Learn to predict how much power you’ll need to survive each segment of the night and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Advanced Foxy Management: Master the timing of checking Pirate Cove to minimize power consumption while still keeping Foxy contained.
- Dealing with Freddy in the Dark: When the power goes out, try to stay as still as possible. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, Freddy will take longer to reach your office.
Conclusion
Five Nights at Freddy’s is a challenging but rewarding game that requires a combination of strategy, quick reflexes, and a little bit of luck. By understanding the animatronics’ behavior patterns, managing your resources effectively, and staying calm under pressure, you can increase your chances of surviving all five nights and beyond. Good luck, and try not to get jumpscared too badly!