Review: Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit

Developers: Scottgames, Mega Cat Studios

Initial release date: August 7, 2024

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

Engine: Unity

License: proprietary license

Genres: Adventure game, Indie game, Puzzle, Survival horror, Adventure

Publisher: Mega Cat Studios

Mega Cat Studios has released a new chapter in the Five Nights at Freddy’s realm, named Into the Pit.

The first time I played Five Nights at Freddy’s, I nearly had a heart attack as various animatronic monsters tried to kill me, but knowing that Into the Pit was billed as a survival game made my poor ticker feel a little better.

But was this the lull before the storm, or had Freddy softened? Are you ready to confront the Pit and see if Freddy has chosen to soften out in his old age?

Ready to enter the Pit?

The Pit in question is located in a run-down pizzeria where Oswald is dropped off daily by his father. Hearing rumors about an off-limits ball pit, Oswald figures it’s the ideal location to hide and worry his father. Kids, right? Once Oswald enters the Pit, he is transported back to the pizzeria’s glory days. And can you guess what pizzeria it is? That’s right, Freddy Fazbear’s! After escaping the ball hole, Oswald returns to his own time and reunites with his father. But is he really? I won’t spoil anything, but the tale pays tribute to the FNAF universe and mythos, and it doesn’t feel like a quick cash-in. Full marks!

Now let’s talk about the presentation. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit will appeal to fans of pixel art and retro graphics. The game’s visuals are amazing, from Oswald’s slightly chubby appearance to the terrifying robots lurking in the darkness. Everything adds to the creepy vibe. This is a game that seems great for Halloween, adding to the creepy atmosphere, and each place and time zone has its own distinct appearance and feel. Everything is displayed from the side, and helpful markings highlight interactive aspects such as hiding spots.

Sound is an important aspect in these games, and this one is no exception. The sound design heightens the tension as you hide from the monsters; their growls and other sound cues are just as terrifying as the graphics. Overall, the presentation was superb.

Can you finish the tasks?

But how about the gameplay? Into the Pit is a survival game in which you are assigned several chores to fulfill. Some activities are straightforward, such as discovering the ball pit or playing an arcade game with a child you met previously. Other chores are more involved, such as obtaining your father’s phone number and calling your mother. The multi-stage objectives contribute to the game’s challenge and replayability by allowing for several approaches.

For example, I opted to diverge from the indicated course and leave the pizzeria as quickly as possible, which resulted in one of the endings. I’m not sure if it was a good ending, but I did finish the game!

Part of the pleasure is going back and trying new things to get different results. While investigating, you must also avoid the rampaging mascots, which make things more difficult. Whether you hide, use noisemakers to distract them, or think on your feet to get through the night, you’ll need to be strategic. Finding clues, valuable tools, and understanding when to employ them are all critical for survival.

An excellent addition to the series.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit is an excellent addition to the franchise. The gameplay is both entertaining and horrifying, and the many endings stimulate replayability. The game provides a sense of discovery as you uncover mysteries, save your friends and family, and make decisions that will effect your survival.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 78%

Controls: 80%

Aesthetics: 85%

Content: 74%

Accessibility: 77%

Value: 80%

Overall: 79%

GOOD

Summary: “Into the Pit” returns players to the eerie world of Freddy Fazbear’s, giving strong jump scares and a familiar ambiance that franchise fans will adore. While the primary gameplay remains solid, individuals looking for additional depth or creativity may find it too repetitive. The animatronics are as creepy as ever, and the game’s dark visuals add significantly to the horror atmosphere. For those searching for a brief, scare-filled excursion, “Into the Pit” delivers, but it may fall short for players wanting for a more intricate horror experience.