The Terrifying Success of Five Nights at Freddy’s and Granny: Uncovering the Secrets Behind These Frightening Games

Highlights

Horror is subjective, and different subgenres and perspectives impact players' fear levels to varying degrees.

Indie horror games such as Granny and Five Nights at Freddy's evoke fear with their use of jump scares, but they also instill a profound sense of dread through their goal-oriented gameplay. The emphasis on immersiveness and the need for self-preservation can be even more terrifying than isolated jump scares, as overcomplicated mechanics can detract from the overall horror experience.

Horror is subjective, and while traditional horror tropes may frighten most people, different subgenres will impact individuals to varying degrees. This is true for horror games as well, where the specific subgenre or perspective of a game can greatly influence what fans find scary. For example, Resident Evil 7 may be much more terrifying when played in VR compared to a regular console. On the other hand, indie games like Granny, as well as the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise, have their own distinct fear factors based on their art direction and gameplay.

Granny and games like Five Nights at Freddy's are known for their reliance on jump scares, which initially attracts attention. However, their ability to create terror is still commendable, considering their limited budgets. Many indie horror games today mimic popular AAA games that served as their inspiration, with P.T. being a significant catalyst for numerous walking-sim horror experiences. However, games like Granny and Five Nights at Freddy's go beyond expectations by incorporating goal-oriented gameplay that forces players to confront their fears.

FNaF and Granny May Not Be Illustrious, But They Are Immersive

Granny could easily be dismissed as a game lacking horror, with its jump-scare moments and simplistic design of the antagonist. However, even if fans are not disturbed by Granny's appearance, what truly makes the game dreadful is the complex objective that players need to work towards.

Resident Evil hasn't always focused on horror in all its installments, and some argue that the franchise only truly became scary with Resident Evil 7. However, the concept behind Granny's nerve-wracking gameplay is similar to what occurs in the remake of Resident Evil 2 when Mr. X unexpectedly disrupts the player's navigation plans in the RPD. The combination of a challenging objective and evading an unbeatable foe can create intense fear, even if Mr. X and Granny can be temporarily stopped. The time constraint of only having a limited number of days to escape the house after finding necessary items adds an additional level of dread compared to any jump scare.

Horror Games Walk a Fine Line Between Lacking Gameplay and Overusing Gameplay

FNaF's gameplay has undergone a few changes, but at its core, it involves being trapped in a chair, monitoring cameras, and keeping watch over the doors, which could be breached by animatronics at any moment. Players can defend themselves by closing the doors and using lights, but they must be mindful not to deplete the system's power. However, the fear goes beyond anticipating jump scares, as players also need to focus on self-preservation throughout multiple nights.

This prolonged sense of dread is even more terrifying, although some fans argue that these types of games lack sufficient gameplay. The goal-oriented gameplay creates a deep sense of immersion that is more disturbing than a mere jump scare. In fact, the absence of excessive mechanics can enhance the horror in this genre of games. On the other hand, games like Outlast have faced criticism for relying too heavily on the cat-and-mouse formula, despite the subsequent introduction of The Outlast Trials. Having too many mechanics or combat options can dilute the horror that a game initially possessed.

Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach is available now on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.