Software:Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted

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Short description: 2019 video game
Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted
FNAFVRlogo2.jpg
Steam storefront header
Developer(s)
  • Steel Wool Studios
  • Lionsgate Games
Publisher(s)ScottGames
Director(s)Jason "Jtop" Topolski
Composer(s)Leon Riskin
SeriesFive Nights at Freddy's
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Survival horror
Mode(s)Single-player

Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted is a 2019 virtual reality survival horror video game developed by Steel Wool Studios and Scott Cawthon. It is an anthology of different minigames based on the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise, where the player must complete tasks without being jumpscared by homicidal animatronic characters. The minigames are composed of virtual reality adaptations of the main entries in the series in addition to several new experiences. Hidden inside the levels are coins that allow the player to unlock collectable objects and cassette tapes that provide insight into the game's metafictional plot.

Cawthon initially approached Steel Wool Studios to recreate the first game of the franchise in virtual reality. He enjoyed the studio's adaptation, and expanded his original plan to adapt all of the previous games in the series. Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted was first released on May, 28, 2019 for Windows through Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and for PlayStation 4 through PlayStation VR. The game received average reviews from critics, who called the game an accessible and tense entry in the franchise, though some found the jumpscares repetitive. Downloadable content called Curse of Dreadbear was launched on October 23, 2019. A direct sequel titled Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2, was released on December 14, 2023.

Gameplay

A screenshot depicting the camera system featured in the minigame adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy's 1

Help Wanted is a virtual reality survival horror game.[1] It is an anthology of different minigames where the player must perform tasks without being caught and jumpscared by homicidal animatronic characters.[2][3] These minigames include recreations of the main entries in the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise, from the first game to Sister Location, and include varying gameplay and mechanics.[1][4] The adaptations mostly contain security cameras that players use to monitor the animatronics, and several tools to prevent these characters from catching the player. Tools include steel doors, lights, and a mask that allows the player to avoid detection.[1][5] If a player loses one of the minigames, they are jumpscared and experience a game over.[6]

In addition to the minigames based off the mainline series, Help Wanted features several new experiences, such as "Parts and Service" where the player is tasked with performing maintenance on the animatronics without provoking a jumpscare,[2] "Vent Repair" where the player must solve puzzles to fix a ventilation shaft while keeping threats at bay,[4][7] and "Night Terrors" in which the player shines a flashlight with limited power to catch the animatronics.[2] Completing the levels grants access to alternate minigames with greater difficulty and warped graphics.[2][8] Hidden inside the levels are gold coins that allow the player to obtain collectables,[4] and several cassette tapes that provide background information on the plot.[2][7]

Plot

In the game's metafictional narrative, the player takes control of a user for the "Freddy Fazbear Virtual Experience", a virtual reality game developed by Fazbear Entertainment, the corporation managing the Freddy Fazbear restaurants and brand.[4] The company's reputation has suffered due to several incidents at their restaurants over the years, which have been established as urban legends. The problem is aggravated by a horror video game series based on the legends created by an unnamed indie developer. In an attempt to improve their relations, Fazbear Entertainment commissioned the game as a way to convince the public that the events were fictitious.

By collecting the hidden cassette tapes, the player is given insight into the game's troubled development. Intended to be warnings for people who play the experience, they are covertly recorded by one of the playtesters, who exposes a lawsuit involving a past employee of Fazbear Entertainment, Jeremy, that put the game's completion in jeopardy. Later recordings reveal that Fazbear Entertainment hired the unnamed indie developer to create the video game series based on the urban legends, before cutting ties with him; the games were part of an elaborate ploy to discredit rumors surrounding the company. Lastly, The tapes disclose the existence of a malicious code that was uploaded to the experience through an old circuit board. This code takes the form of a rabbit-like character called Glitchtrap, who is attempting to escape from the game by taking over the user's consciousness.

Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted contains several endings which depend upon the player's choices. These endings include the user having their consciousness taken over by Glitchtrap, another where they complete all the levels and witness the credits while performing on-stage as Freddy Fazbear, and an ending where the player follows instructions stated in the tapes and is locked behind a steel door, where Glitchtrap shushes the user before disappearing behind the edifice.

Development and release

The game was developed in collaboration between Steel Wool Studios and Five Night's at Freddy's creator Scott Cawthon,[8] and received support from Lionsgate Games and Striker Entertainment.[9] Cawthon initially approached Steel Wool Studios with the idea of recreating the original Five Nights at Freddy's in virtual reality. After the studio finished development on the adaptation, they felt that the end product was too bare-bones, and decided to improve it by adding new animations and graphics for the animatronics. Cawthon liked the studio's adaptation so much that he expanded his initial plan to cover all of the previous games in the franchise. Many aspects of Cawthon's character designs had to be updated to look convincing and remain scary in a 3D environment, including their movements and finer details.[8] A trailer announcing the game was shown during Sony Interactive Entertainment's State of Play live stream on On March 25, 2019.[10][11] The game debuted publicly at PAX East from March 28 to March 31, 2019,[8] and was available at subsequent PlayStation VR demonstrations before its release.[12]

The game was delayed from its original planned release in April 2019,[13] and was launched on May 28, 2019, for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets on Microsoft Windows, and PlayStation VR headsets on PlayStation 4.[2][14] A non-VR version of the game called "flat mode" was released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 on December 17, 2019.[15] A Nintendo Switch port was released on May 21, 2020.[16][17] A port to Oculus Quest was added on July 16, 2020,[5] followed by versions for Android and iOS on October 26 of the same year.[18][19] An Xbox One port was released on October 29, 2020.[14] A Halloween-themed downloadable content (DLC) pack, Curse of Dreadbear, was released was released on October 23, 2020 and additional levels were added on October 29.[20] Curse of Dreadbear was launched on all platforms available at the time, and was later released for Oculus Quest in December 2020.[21] An updated version of the game called Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted - Full Time Edition containing the Curse of Dreadbear DLC was released for PlayStation 5 with PlayStation VR2 capability on November 21, 2023.[22]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
MetacriticPS4: 80/100[23]
NS: 53/100[24]
Review scores
PublicationScore
DestructoidPS4: 9/10[2]
IGNPS4: 8.3/10[6]
Nintendo LifeNS: 3/10[4]

Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted received "generally favorable" reviews for the PlayStation 4 version according to review aggregator website Metacritic;[23] the Nintendo Switch version received "mixed or average" reviews.[24]

Reviewers felt that the game was an accessible entry in the franchise.[1][2][3] Destructoid felt that it would appeal to longtime fans as well as people unfamiliar with the series,[2] and The Games Machine said that it would appeal to players who were not fans of horror media through its simple mechanics.[3] UploadVR called it a worthy adaptation or the franchise's games,[5] and IGN Italy said that it was one of the scariest horror games available for virtual reality.[6]

Critics called the game tense and unsettling.[1][5][25] UploadVR felt that the atmosphere was intriguing and increased the power of the jumpscares, saying that the virtual reality platform made the game feel immersive.[5] Vandal said the experience was stressful, and praised the designs of the animatronics as detailed and intimidating.[5] IGN contended that the game created compelling tension over time that made the player feel vulnerable.[6] Other reviewers called the jumpscares effective, but said that they would become repetitive over time.[6][25]

Reviewers highlighted the different minigames. Destructoid praised their inclusion, liking how they created new experiences beyond the main entries in the franchise, and particularly enjoyed the Vent Repair and Dark Rooms minigames.[2] IGN also highlighted Vent Repair, adding that the minigames generated significant replayability.[6] The Games Machine called the levels diverse, but said that some of them retained the flaws of their original incarnations and were overall of mixed quality.[3] UploadVR found the game repetitive despite the number of levels, calling their mechanics simple and unable to sustain the experience.[5]

The game was nominated for the Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game at the New York Game Awards in 2020.[26]

Sequel

On May 24, 2023, during a PlayStation Showcase, Steel Wool Studios announced a direct sequel to Help Wanted titled Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 with a planned launch in late 2023.[27][28] A PlayStation Blog post by Steel Wool Studios on November 20, 2023 announced the game's release for PlayStation VR2 on December 14, 2023 and disclosed many of the minigames.[29][30]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Rubio, Juan (2019-06-03). "Análisis Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted, terror en VR" (in es-es). https://vandal.elespanol.com/analisis/ps4/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted/71830. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Devore, Jordan (2019-06-01). "Review: Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted" (in en-US). https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Paschetto, Nicolò (2021-03-15). "Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted - Recensione" (in it). https://www.thegamesmachine.it/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted-pc-ps4/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted-recensione/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Gipp, Stuart (2020-05-26). "Review: Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted - A Largely Pointless Cash-Grab" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/five_nights_at_freddys_help_wanted. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Jagneaux, David (2020-07-16). "Five Nights At Freddy's VR: Help Wanted Review - The Master Of Suspense" (in en). https://www.uploadvr.com/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-review/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Francesco, Destri (2019-06-02). "Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted – La recensione" (in it). https://it.ign.com/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted/155178/review/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted-la-recensione. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Palmisano, Fabio (2019-06-06). "Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted, la recensione" (in it). https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted-la-recensione.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Crecente, Brian (2019-03-29). "'Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted' Features More Detailed Frights" (in en). https://variety.com/2019/gaming/features/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted-features-more-detailed-frights-1203175977/. 
  9. ↑ Romano, Sal (2019-03-25). "Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted announced for PlayStation VR, PC" (in en-US). https://www.gematsu.com/2019/03/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted-announced-for-playstation-vr-pc. 
  10. ↑ Topolski, Jason (2019-03-25). "Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted Coming to PS VR". https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/03/25/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted-coming-to-ps-vr/. 
  11. ↑ Fillari, Alessandro (2019-03-25). "New Five Nights At Freddy's Game Revealed, Bringing The Series To VR" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-five-nights-at-freddys-game-revealed-bringing-/1100-6465836/. 
  12. ↑ Tarantola, Andrew (2019-03-28). "'Five Nights at Freddy's' is even more creepy in VR" (in en). https://www.engadget.com/2019/03/28/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-hands-on-psvr/. 
  13. ↑ Romano, Sal (2019-03-25). "Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted announced for PlayStation VR, PC" (in en-US). https://www.gematsu.com/2019/03/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted-announced-for-playstation-vr-pc. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted, FNAF Help Wanted, Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted PC, PS4, Switch, XONE | GRYOnline.pl" (in pl). https://www.gry-online.pl/gry/five-nights-at-freddys-vr-help-wanted/z6579a. 
  15. ↑ Gera, Emily (2019-12-15). "Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted gets free VR-less mode this week" (in en). https://www.vg247.com/five-nights-freddys-vr-help-wanted-update. 
  16. ↑ Erskine, Donovan (2020-05-21). "Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted out now for Nintendo Switch" (in en). https://www.shacknews.com/article/118174/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted-out-now-for-nintendo-switch. 
  17. ↑ Avard, Alex (2020-05-21). "Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted stealth launches onto Nintendo Switch today" (in en). https://www.gamesradar.com/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted-stealth-launches-onto-nintendo-switch-today/. 
  18. ↑ Romano, Sal (2020-11-12). "Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted physical edition for PS4, Switch launches December 15" (in en-US). https://www.gematsu.com/2020/11/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted-physical-edition-for-ps4-switch-launches-december-15. 
  19. ↑ "Five Nights at Freddy's: HW" (in en-US). https://toucharcade.com/games/five-nights-at-freddys-hw. 
  20. ↑ Devore, Jordan (23 October 2019). "Five Nights at Freddy's VR adds Curse of Dreadbear DLC for Halloween" (in en). https://www.destructoid.com/five-nights-at-freddy-s-vr-adds-curse-of-dreadbear-dlc-for-halloween-570362.phtml. 
  21. ↑ Baker, Harry (December 15, 2020). "Five Nights at Freddy's: Curse Of The Dreadbear DLC Out Now On Oculus Quest". https://uploadvr.com/fnaf-dlc-oculus-quest/. 
  22. ↑ Baker, Harry (2023-11-22). "Five Nights At Freddy's: Help Wanted Now Available On PSVR 2" (in en). https://www.uploadvr.com/five-nights-at-freddys-psvr-2-release/. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. May 28, 2019. https://www.metacritic.com/game/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. May 21, 2020. https://www.metacritic.com/game/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Quesada, Daniel (2019-05-30). "Análisis de Five Nights at Freddy's VR Help Wanted para PlayStation VR y PC" (in es). https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-five-nights-freddys-vr-help-wanted-playstation-vr-pc-430199. 
  26. ↑ Sheehan, Gavin (January 2, 2020). "The New York Game Awards Announces 2020 Nominees". Bleeding Cool. https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/01/02/the-new-york-game-awards-announces-2020-nominees/. 
  27. ↑ Valentine, Rebekah (2023-05-24). "Five Nights at Freddy's Help Wanted 2 Announced for Release This Year" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted-2-announced-for-release-this-year. 
  28. ↑ Fragen, Jordan (2023-05-24). "Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 VR will launch late 2023" (in en-US). https://venturebeat.com/games/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted-2-psvr-late-2023/. 
  29. ↑ Williams, Hayley (2023-11-20). "Five Nights At Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 Reveals Gameplay Trailer And Release Date" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted-2-reveals-gameplay-trailer-and-release-date/1100-6519351/. 
  30. ↑ Romano, Sal (2023-11-20). "Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 launches December 14" (in en-US). https://www.gematsu.com/2023/11/five-nights-at-freddys-help-wanted-2-launches-december-14. 

External links



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