Severely disappointed with the gameplay of FNAF4

[Szabolcs]

In the past few months, I've became a huge fan of the series. Huge kudos to Scott, obviously. I love the world, the atmosphere, the lore, the theories, the community... and also the gameplay of FNAF1, 2 and 3. They had an amazing balance between simplicity and intense adapting to situations, some of the best multitasking games I've played. Especially FNAF2, with having to pay attention to so much at the same time, and the risk-reward system of winding the music box for longer or shorter periods is brilliant. 1 and 3 aren't far behind either.

But now that I've finally come around to play FNAF4... a huge letdown. Sadly, while this game has arguably the best story presentation, the gameplay is by far the worst in my opinion.

My biggest issue is the audio level, and as I've seen, I'm probably not alone with it. Point is, I really hate how I can barely hear the breathing even with my volume turned up high. It feels like a cheap prank to turn up the volume, then get a really loud jumpscare. This was NOT the case in previous FNAF games. The audio always played a huge part, especially in FNAF2, but you could always hear the things. Not so much in FNAF4.

But even besides that, much more so than the other games, here, you are just going through the motions. Check one door, check the other door, check the closet, check the bed, rinse, repeat. Such cycles were present in other FNAF games, but when different situations came up, you had to change your actions in order to win. Not so much here.

I also really miss the anticipation factor. A huge part of the charm in previous FNAF games was the fact that the animatronics gradually got closer and closer to you, which gave a sense of fear on one hand, and a sense of security on another. Here, it's completely missing. It all boils down to "hear the breathing sound? > either close the door or use the flashlight > if you chose wrong, you die".

So yeah... I don't like this one at all. Or am I doing something wrong?

[alber_fgg]

The other three are more about the build up of the characters coming closer, while the 4th one is more about the inmediate paranoia while being at one of the doors and thinking "is it here?" while trying to keep your finger far from the keyboard to avoid incidents, and at the same time, trying to hear the breathing.
I respect you felt a huge let down with FNaF 4, but I don't it's fair to consider it to have "the worst gameplay. Specially comparing it to FNaF 1, which is about following a pattern and nothing more, while FNaF 4 is about following a pattern, then thinking, and then reacting to a given situation.

I mean, I don't think your opinion is "wrong", it would be stupid, but, honestly, I think your problem with FNaF 4 is not exactly the gameplay, but the atmosphere that comes, not from the atmosphere itself, but from the gameplay mechanics.

[Szabolcs]

Maybe it boils down to me preferring the style of FNAF1-3 to this whole new style, which is not objectively worse, I just don't enjoy it at all. Maybe it has to do with me loving to play FNAF1-3 with my sweety, while talking, reacting to what's happening, getting scared together, laughing when we are caught off guard, etc. The fourth game can't be played this way, obviously.

Still, I don't think setting up the audio levels this way was a good choice, no matter what atmosphere the game is trying to convey. The jumpscares are scary anyway, they don't need to make your ears physically hurt. I also really liked in the first three games how you can somewhat anticipate what's gonna happen to you, but can still be caught off guard and get a jumpscare, it was a nice balance between light hearted spookiness and being legitimately terrifying.

As for FNAF1... yes, it was mostly following the pattern, but also not exactly. On later nights if you simply blindly follow the pattern, you won't get far, as your energy depletes fast. You have to make adjustments, example, not checking this or that thing when not necessary (for example, if one door is closed, or at the beginning of the day), choosing to let Foxy run on its own or triggering him, etc. Not nearly as much strategy than in FNAF2 an 3, but definitely something.

[DerpCrow]

FNaF 1 check Pirate Cove switch the lights on and close the doors...

FNaF 2 Wind up the box use the flashlight to scare foxy off and use the mask...

FNaF 3 Constantly click the audio button and reboot the systems...

FNaF 4 Check the doors, bed, and closet...

All of them have no change in cycle other then FNaF 3 and 4...

In FNaF 3 you have the errors and Phantoms that most of the time wreck your shrimp...

In FNaF 4 it's pretty much the same unless Foxy gets in and of course... Fredbear...
Who changes the gameplay completely... Instead of using your flashlight to check the doors you must flash it and close it as fast as possible, and check the closet and bed when he laughs...

[Szabolcs]

I do recognise the sound effects... most of the time anyway, provided there's complete silence. Still, I have my TV's volume at 18 for this, and I could hear EVERYTHING in the first 3 games on just 12. Even still, a few times it happens when I think I don't hear anything, but then Bonnie / Chica are there anyway, and a few times I feel like I maybe hear the breathing, so I close the door for a few seconds, but after that when I use my flashlight they are there, which probably means I attracted them with my mistakenly closed door.

[「Rexy Wolf」]

Originally posted by Szabolcs:

I do recognise the sound effects... most of the time anyway, provided there's complete silence. Still, I have my TV's volume at 18 for this, and I could hear EVERYTHING in the first 3 games on just 12. Even still, a few times it happens when I think I don't hear anything, but then Bonnie / Chica are there anyway, and a few times I feel like I maybe hear the breathing, so I close the door for a few seconds, but after that when I use my flashlight they are there, which probably means I attracted them with my mistakenly closed door.

That's the point of the game. The breathing is meant to be barely audible because it enhances the tension. Not only that, the jumpscare noise is louder so it scares you more. This is a common complaint, however some people fail to realize that this was done to make the game better in terms of jumpscares.

[Szabolcs]

Originally posted by Rexy:

Originally posted by Szabolcs:

I do recognise the sound effects... most of the time anyway, provided there's complete silence. Still, I have my TV's volume at 18 for this, and I could hear EVERYTHING in the first 3 games on just 12. Even still, a few times it happens when I think I don't hear anything, but then Bonnie / Chica are there anyway, and a few times I feel like I maybe hear the breathing, so I close the door for a few seconds, but after that when I use my flashlight they are there, which probably means I attracted them with my mistakenly closed door.

That's the point of the game. The breathing is meant to be barely audible because it enhances the tension. Not only that, the jumpscare noise is louder so it scares you more. This is a common complaint, however some people fail to realize that this was done to make the game better in terms of jumpscares.

Better is subjective, louder and scarier isn't necessarily better in my eyes. I'm not very fond of loud jumpscares to begin with, and usually prefer horror with buildup and anticipation (with a moderate amount and style of jumpscares). I understand that it may be a problem with my tastes and not the game, just like a lot of people had problem with Final Fantasy XIII being linear which I didn't mind, but I admit it was very different from other games in its series.

Oh the bright side, I just cleared night 4, so now it's time for something completely different (?).

[Szabolcs]

Actually, Night 5 seems to be even worse with the audio. I literally cannot hear Fredbear's footsteps at all (and only BARELY hear the laugh), but the jumpscare is as loud as ever. Also it really sucks that the game doesn't indicuate where you made a mistake, since it's all the same jumpscare animatiom.

[not active]

Originally posted by Szabolcs:

Actually, Night 5 seems to be even worse with the audio. I literally cannot hear Fredbear's footsteps at all (and only BARELY hear the laugh), but the jumpscare is as loud as ever. Also it really sucks that the game doesn't indicuate where you made a mistake, since it's all the same jumpscare animatiom.

Use cheats in the Halloween Update if your having a hard time.

[not active]

Originally posted by Szabolcs:

Actually, Night 5 seems to be even worse with the audio. I literally cannot hear Fredbear's footsteps at all (and only BARELY hear the laugh), but the jumpscare is as loud as ever. Also it really sucks that the game doesn't indicuate where you made a mistake, since it's all the same jumpscare animatiom.

Also, if you don't like the gameplay then why are you playing the game? No one is forcing you to play the game you know.

[Szabolcs]

Originally posted by Amber-Emo-Kitty:

Originally posted by Szabolcs:

Actually, Night 5 seems to be even worse with the audio. I literally cannot hear Fredbear's footsteps at all (and only BARELY hear the laugh), but the jumpscare is as loud as ever. Also it really sucks that the game doesn't indicuate where you made a mistake, since it's all the same jumpscare animatiom.

Also, if you don't like the gameplay then why are you playing the game? No one is forcing you to play the game you know.

Good question. I guess because I'm kind of a completionist. It feels really bad to leave just the last night of the last game unfinished, no matter how impossible I find it. Seriously, I'm completely clueless, half the time I don't know why I die, and the wikis and strategies I find are all vague.

[FulvousFox]

Originally posted by Amber-Emo-Kitty:

Originally posted by Szabolcs:

Actually, Night 5 seems to be even worse with the audio. I literally cannot hear Fredbear's footsteps at all (and only BARELY hear the laugh), but the jumpscare is as loud as ever. Also it really sucks that the game doesn't indicuate where you made a mistake, since it's all the same jumpscare animatiom.

Also, if you don't like the gameplay then why are you playing the game? No one is forcing you to play the game you know.

He's allowed to give a critique, you know?

Might as well play as much as you can and give the game a chance rather than just give up on the first night.

[DerpCrow]

Originally posted by Szabolcs:

Actually, Night 5 seems to be even worse with the audio. I literally cannot hear Fredbear's footsteps at all (and only BARELY hear the laugh), but the jumpscare is as loud as ever. Also it really sucks that the game doesn't indicuate where you made a mistake, since it's all the same jumpscare animatiom.

You're having a hard time hearing the laugh???

Well something is clearly wrong with your sound or maybe even your game...

Because pretty much everyone ever can hear the laugh clear as day...

[Szabolcs]

Originally posted by DERPCROW:

Originally posted by Szabolcs:

Actually, Night 5 seems to be even worse with the audio. I literally cannot hear Fredbear's footsteps at all (and only BARELY hear the laugh), but the jumpscare is as loud as ever. Also it really sucks that the game doesn't indicuate where you made a mistake, since it's all the same jumpscare animatiom.

You're having a hard time hearing the laugh???

Well something is clearly wrong with your sound or maybe even your game...

Because pretty much everyone ever can hear the laugh clear as day...

Okay, I was pretty unclear, so let me clarify. I can hear the laugh, mostly, however, I cannot distinguish between the single laugh and the laugh + footsteps. When I'm lucky, I can find Fredbear's head in the closet or on the bed, but when I'm not, well... I'm usually dead.

I think I'm gonna try the game with earphones, even though I really hate to play horror games like this.

Update: Didn't help at all. Still can't make out whether he's coming from the left or right. Maybe with those large headphone things which I don't have. I'll borrow one from a friend and find out.

[DerpCrow]

Originally posted by Szabolcs:

Originally posted by DERPCROW:

You're having a hard time hearing the laugh???

Well something is clearly wrong with your sound or maybe even your game...

Because pretty much everyone ever can hear the laugh clear as day...

Okay, I was pretty unclear, so let me clarify. I can hear the laugh, mostly, however, I cannot distinguish between the single laugh and the laugh + footsteps. When I'm lucky, I can find Fredbear's head in the closet or on the bed, but when I'm not, well... I'm usually dead.

I think I'm gonna try the game with earphones, even though I really hate to play horror games like this.

Update: Didn't help at all. Still can't make out whether he's coming from the left or right. Maybe with those large headphone things which I don't have. I'll borrow one from a friend and find out.

Oh...

Well i have normal headphones and i can hear it loud and clear...

[Szabolcs]

Well, out of the over 600 games I've beaten in my life, I've never encountered one which required you to use headphones (earplugs are not good enough, just tried)... but oh well...