FNAF Help Wanted 2: A Fan-Favorite's Anticipated Comeback

Article Key Points

The integration of the narrative elements from both the book series and the video games in the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise has culminated in the acknowledgement of the primary antagonist, The Mimic.

The highly anticipated return of fan-favorite character Circus Baby is imminent, with recent hints indicating her comeback in the highly anticipated game FNAF: Help Wanted 2. Recent releases have consistently referenced the Sister Location facility, including Security Breach, RUIN, the final Tales from the Pizzaplex novel, and the Chica in Space game. Help Wanted 2 appears to follow suit by immersing itself in the setting of Sister Location.

The Five Nights at Freddy's franchise is currently experiencing a significant transformation, with new multimedia releases steering the lore and overarching storyline in a fresh direction. A pivotal moment in this shift occurred with the release of Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach RUIN in July 2023. This installment cemented the events surrounding The Mimic, the central antagonist of the Tales from the Pizzaplex book series, thereby merging the narratives of the FNAF books and video games. Fans had anticipated this convergence to happen earlier, considering that the novels hinted at the reveal of a beloved character as the main villain, which never came to pass. However, in the latter part of 2023, there has been a resurgence in this narrative, as multiple FNAF releases have hinted at a broader concept closely tied to this character. Among these releases, the trailer for the highly anticipated FNAF: Help Wanted 2 holds the most promise, officially setting the stage for the long-awaited return of the character.

Initially, many Five Nights at Freddy's fans speculated that the Mimic would play a central role in RUIN, but the actual revelation took them by surprise. Skepticism arose among fans regarding whether developer Steel Wool Studio would follow through with this connection, especially considering a similar situation involving another book series. Five Nights at Freddy's: Fazbear's Frights, for instance, teased the comeback of Circus Baby, a beloved villain, leading up to the release of Security Breach. Like the Mimic, Circus Baby, operating under the alias of Eleanor, served as the main antagonist within the shared narrative of the book series' various short stories, with the Epilogues setting the stage for her return in the game. With RUIN bridging elements of both the video game and book canon, coupled with recent teasers, Help Wanted 2 finally seems poised to bring Circus Baby back into the fold.

FNAF: Security Breach and RUIN Featured a Deep Connection to Sister Location

The Mimic's canonization remains the most significant impact of Security Breach and its RUIN DLC on the lore. However, these additions also stand out for their numerous references and ties to Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location, the game that introduced Circus Baby. In Security Breach, fans can discover various nods to Baby, such as multiple attendants dressed as the character and the presence of Circus Baby and Funtime Freddy's parts on the Blob, a roaming monster within the Mega Pizzaplex and its underground facilities. Additionally, during the post-game, fans can uncover a hidden door that leads to Michael's room from Sister Location. The inclusion of these elements sparked theories among fans, suggesting a direct connection between the Mega Pizzaplex and the Sister Location Facility, where Ennard left behind those very parts in the Scooping Room.

With the release of RUIN in July 2023,

The Last Few Months Have Featured Myriad Sister Location Connections

theories were both confirmed and expanded upon. Fans stumbled upon even more allusions to Baby, as various rooms contained direct Easter eggs related to the character. In a surprising turn of events, the most compelling evidence for Circus Baby's return was intertwined with fans' interactions with the Mimic. While attempting to rescue Gregory from the M.X.E.S, Cassie, the player character, demolishes a sealed wall, unveiling a neglected room that houses the Mimic. Within this room, a collection of vintage costumes, each with a carnival theme, fills the space. These costumes bear resemblance to those associated with Circus Baby's Pizza World, a prominent location in The Silver Eyes book trilogy. In RUIN's hidden conclusion, Cassie guides the Mimic to a Scooper Room, mirroring the original ending of Sister Location.

The Five Nights at Freddy's franchise has not only had the popular game RUIN but also other notable releases that include references to Sister Location. One of the final novels in the Tales from the Pizzaplex series unveiled a shocking revelation. It confirmed that FNAF 4 is part of the canon and provided a deeper understanding of its connection to Sister Location. In a short story called DITTOPHOBIA, the protagonist Rory explores the Sister Location facility and uncovers the truths behind the mysteries in both FNAF 4 and Sister Location. One significant discovery is that the room seen in Sister Location's alternate fifth night is actually the Observation Deck for Rory's fear experiment. This revelation further builds on the previous reveal that the Mega Pizzaplex, Freddy Fazbear's Pizza Place, and the Sister Location facility are interconnected. As Rory continues his exploration, he stumbles upon tunnels that connect the locations and finds an enigmatic powerless elevator that goes even deeper.

Last month's release of Chica in Space also highlighted various explicit nods to Carnival and Circus Baby. Fans had the opportunity to acquire and use Sister Location-themed items, such as Circus Baby's hair, which bestowed unique abilities. Furthermore, astute fans spotted numerous Carnival settings depicted in the background art of the game's levels. Although these references may be less obvious compared to previous releases, the fact that Chica in Space was a free direct upload from creator Scott Cawthon suggests that these hints are likely to possess significant significance.

Help Wanted 2 Seemingly Returns the Narrative to the Sister Location Facility

The surprise reveal of Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 has left fans stunned for multiple reasons, with the game's development being completely under wraps. Not only did the teaser disclose that the game would launch before the end of 2023, but it also showcased the entirety of the Sister Location elevator scene, which closely resembles the introductory sequence of each night in FNAF: Sister Location. Ever since the announcement of Help Wanted 2, fans have been speculating on the possible connection between the elevator and the overarching narrative presented in RUIN. Given the recent references, especially DITTOPHOBIA's reinterpretation of the FNAF 4 location, the teaser now holds a much deeper significance.

Fans are still unaware of the specific timeframe in which Help Wanted 2 unfolds, as DITTOPHOBIA's revelation depicts the facility's usage spanning several decades after Sister Location. However, the active elevator featured in Help Wanted 2's teaser suggests that the events take place either during or prior to the active experimentation period mentioned in the storyline, as Rory discovers its inactivity during his exploration. If this holds true, Help Wanted 2 sets the stage for Circus Baby to emerge as a major driving force behind the occurrences in Security Breach and RUIN, effectively concluding the narrative arc established by the Fazbear Frights series. Though the precise connections between Help Wanted 2 and the contemporary FNAF lore remain elusive, fans can anticipate their inquiries to be addressed as Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 is scheduled for release in December 2023.

Five Nights at Freddy's

Five Nights at Freddy's, created by Scott Cawthorn, is a popular first-person survival horror and resource management game. It gained fame for its eerie animatronic adversaries and adrenaline-pumping jumpscares. Featuring a cast of iconic characters including Freddy Fazbear, Chica, Foxy, Bonnie, and others, Five Nights at Freddy's has achieved tremendous success, spawning spinoffs and fan-made games.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise, I am thrilled about the upcoming release of FNAF Help Wanted 2. The first game was a huge success, and I can't wait to see what the sequel has in store. I'm especially excited about the return of Circus Baby, who is one of my favorite characters. I've been a fan of her since she first appeared in Sister Location, and I'm glad that she's finally getting the attention she deserves.

I'm also intrigued by the connections between Help Wanted 2 and the Sister Location facility. I've always been fascinated by the lore of the FNAF games, and I'm eager to learn more about the relationship between these two locations. I think it's great that Steel Wool Studios is expanding on the lore of the franchise, and I can't wait to see what they have in store for us in the future.