Steel Wool Studios: FNAF Security Breach Review
No spoilers here to preserve those jump scares. If you are interested in any collectables from the game, Funko released a wave of Security Breach figures covering the main characters. You can click on a name below to order yours.
Glamrock Freddy
Glamrock Chica
Vanny
Roxanne Wolf
Montgomery Gator
The latest game in the series picks up right where Help Wanted ends with the teased completion of the Pizza Megaplex and the return of Vanny. This time however, there is a major divergence from the established game mechanic, while still preserving the lore. While a lot has changed, it still has the same feel of a FNAF game, and will still be enjoyable by children and adults.
During our gameplay, we encountered a few minor hiccups including a character freezing in a location, some issues where the buttons would not let us skip cutscenes, and one game ending crash. Other than that the game ran smooth with no frame or sound issues. The game has only been out for six weeks, so these are likely to get resolved in future updates.
Departure From The Known
So much has changed that this doesn't seem like a Five Nights at Freddy's game, and it's not even five nights, it's one. Don't be mistaken though, the changes are the strength in moving this series forward. This is really the first open worldish game, where you can complete tasks out of order and really look for multiple ways to come at a problem, similar to Metal Gear Solid Five. The object is simple, survive until 6am, but you only have one night this time, how hard can it be right?
No longer confined to a security room with limited power (except in a few instances) players are free to roam the pizza plex, hiding from animatronics (think Alien Isolation) and obtaining key items or upgrades as the move toward escaping. Players can use items to stun pesky security droids who alert animatronics to your presence or knock other items around to create distractions. This adds an element of strategy and creativity to the game as players can also check camera and plan routes. However, no hiding place is permanent and the animatronics may just sniff you out.
The game brings back some series staples like Freddy and Chica, and easter eggs throughout reference the other animatronics from the past. New characters Roxanne Wolf and Montgomery Gator provide additional terror with speed, better sight, strength, and so much pouncing, making it essential you keep your running shoes at the ready. Not to worry, this time Freddy is there to protect you, as long as his battery doesn't run out. Players for the first time can be placed in an animatronic without dying, allowing them to ride in Freddy past hazards. There are a few other new enemies, but we don't want to get into spoiler territory, so let's say you'll be terrified of how much fun you'll have when they show up.
The game wouldn't be a FNAF game without hidden games and easter eggs. There are plenty of secret 16-bit games that play into the story and even a hidden mini golf mini game, to give players an extra little challenge. There are collectibles throughout, lets call it Freddy merchandise, that in addition to a sense of completion have additional benefits for the players. You can find something for example to improve flashlight battery life, increased sprinting, more battery for Freddy, or unlock an additional ending.
The game also feels so much more alive. Not because things are freely moving around, which they are, and not because there is another human there as well, but because of the conversations between characters. For the first time you don't feel alone, although it is not any more comforting in this situation. 
Same Old Feeling
While a lot is new in this title, it still has the same old FNAF vibe. There are still jump scares, resources are still limited, and it is still about surviving and escaping crazy animatronics. Of course it wouldn't be FNAF without an overarching plot in the background, and yes it is there just like any other game, so are the secret sub plots. We don't want to spoil but if you keep looking for things and reading emails like in other games, you will find it.
Like other FNAF games, there are multiple endings that are triggered by certain in game choices or discoveries. The replay value exists that you can go back over and over to get these multiple endings but once you reach the 6am clock, you cannot save your progress from there, meaning a death resets you back to the 6am moment requiring you to completely finish from there, which can be another hour of lost play.
Fun But Not a Pizza Cake
Couldn't resist the pun. This game is a ton of fun, allowing for many discoveries, jump scares, and terrific replay value. It can be difficult at times though and luck has just as much a role as skill. At the same time, we let a nine year old play and he was able to make it all the way through one of the harder endings without help, so a determined gamer should be able to clear this without much strife. All together, we thought this was one of the best entries in the series and we have high hopes that this new direction continues with more open-world style FNAF games, which affords a new dimension of dread, exploration, and fun.
Five Night's at Freddy's: Security Breach released on 16 December 2021 and is currently available on PS4, PS5, and Microsoft Windows with ports to other platforms planned at a later date. We reviewed the game on PS5.
Related Stories:
