Gaming On-The-Go is a weekly series that explores the mobile gaming industry as well as uncovering current trends, with hands-on guides for the latest smartphone and tablet games.
It's time to get your scare on, gamers, because Halloween is just a few days aways. And while there are plenty of titles in the app stores to slightly spook you, the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise is the most terrifying game that I've been addicted to this month.
For those of you who are not familiar with these games, Five Nights of Freddy's is an indie point-and-click survival horror game developed by Scott Cawthon that has taken the gaming world by storm. The series starts with you playing as a security guard at a pizzeria who has to routinely check the security cameras as a group of demented animatronic toys that include the characters Freddy Fazbear, Chica, Bonnie and Foxy attack during the night.
The fourth installment is set in a bedroom, ditching the security cameras, although the premise of the game remains the same. You must brave the night, routinely using your flashlight and checking the doors to ward off and keep the animatronics out to make it through safely until 6 a.m. The key is to listen to the footsteps and creaking of the doors to avoid getting attacked.
If you think this sounds like a walk in a park, you couldn't be more wrong. It's more like walking around a haunted house by yourself in the middle of the night with creatures from your worst nightmares jumping out to scare the living hell out of you.
And just in time for Halloween, Cawthon announced he will release an update for the official game that includes cheats and new challenges, as well as a Halloween edition of FNaF4 that will feature "changed characters and other cosmetic changes."
According to the teasers on his website, fans can expect to see Spring Bonnie and Balloon Boy as these new characters.
Now that we are excited for new updates to the game, here are some tips and tricks on how to survive Five Night's at Freddy's 4.
Night 1
The first thing you must do is play this game with your headphones plugged in, so you can hear what's going on around you. Of course, this only builds up the suspense and leaves you hesitant to peek around, but you can pretty much lay low until around 3 a.m. when the heavy breathing and footsteps begin.
Night 1 is relatively easy—even though you will probably still die—so it's a good time to get used to the controls. The only noises that matter are the footsteps, so you can ignore the others, such as dogs barking. If you hear something scurrying toward a door, make sure you hold it closed and don't just tap on it. Listen for a few seconds before tapping your flashlight on to see if there is a potential animatronic in the hallway or closet because if you turn the flashllight on, it will pounce on you and that's a wrap. The closet should be safe for the first one or two nights, but make sure you keep checking the Freddy Fazbear on the bed or else you will die a terrifying death.
Night 2
Things start to progress, so get ready for some serious jumpscares. You'll start to see more animatronics, so make sure you keep checking every door, but don't just run around—really listen. If you hear sounds that make it seem like something is in the kitchen, go and close the door on your left immediately, or else you are about to get eaten. Your flashlight will start to blink a few times when you are in danger, so that's the sure sign Nightmare Foxy is about to pop out.
If you see the closet door move, check it right away because this means Nightmare Foxy is on the prowl. You will see Foxy in the closet, but he is timed, meaning if you keep on checking on him in there with your flashlight and hold the doors shut when you need to, he won't jump out and kill you.
Night 3
After the countless amount of attempts trying to survive night 2, I knew the rest of the game was only going to get worse in the best way possible. By night 3, the animatronics are everywhere (seriously, watch out for Cupcake).
Nightmare Foxy is extra vicious this time around, so keep a check on the closet since his timer is much quicker than the previous night. You will hear lots more footsteps this night, so try to keep your composure and alternate between the closet and the bed.
Night 4
If you have been brave enough to last this long, you will be able to continue on, but use caution. The best way to beat night 4 is to alternate between checking the left and right doors for Nightmare Bonnie and Chica, while checking the bed every so often. Keep Nightmare Foxy out of the room for as long as you can—you will know when he's coming because of the screaming. Once he comes in it's almost guaranteed death. If he does get in, keep your focus on the closet. Even if he starts to lunge forward, close the closet door quickly to keep him contained.
On the bright side, if you survive this night, it's the last time all four animatronics attack together. However, that means Nightmare Fredbear is in full force moving forward.
Night 5
You've made it to the final main night! Don't get too excited yet, because you are in for it on night 5. This time the only thing you have to worry about is Nightmare Fredbear, who can be heard by his satanic laughter and not his breathing. The only way to survive is to close to doors as quickly as physically possible when you hear him.
What's good to know is Nightmare Fredbear won't jumpscare when you shine the flashlight on him. It's only when you have a delayed response after shining the light that he will get you. That means you can ward him off in the closet or on the bed.
Night 6 and Nightmare
Congratulations! You survived Five Nights at Freddy's 4, but it's not quite over yet. While this game has a very twisted and satisfying ending, there is a Night 6 bonus night that is unlocked, followed by a Night 7. These levels can be found in the "Extra" menu. For even more FNaF 4, check out Night 8 20/20/20/20 mode that can be accessed by tapping on "Nightmare Complete Night 8."
The trial version of FNaF 4 is available to download for free, with the full version available for $2.99 for iOS and Android. The game is also available for PCs, and the special Halloween edition will be available for free on Steam.
