The Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) series offers a captivating and immersive experience filled with unexpected twists and a rich backstory.
The universe of FNAF is complex, with certain games lacking a clear timeline. The games often feature hallucinations and visions that are considered part of the overall canon.
Although there is some debate among fans regarding the precise timeline of the storyline, our guide presents all the FNAF games in both chronological and release order.
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How Many Five Nights at Freddy’s Games Are There?
In terms of the primary Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) games, there are a total of 9 games that we will discuss below.
However, there are also 4 additional FNAF games that belong to the spin-off and challenge-based category.
These games include Five Nights at Freddy’s World, Freddy in Space 2, Security Breach: Fury’s Rage, and Ultimate Custom Night.
How to play Five Nights at Freddy’s games in release order
If you’re brand new to the horror game series, it’s recommended that you play them in release date order, just as everyone who has been playing from the start has been doing. Here is the complete list of FNAF games in release date order:
- Five Nights at Freddy’s (2014 | PC, iOS, Android)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2014 | PC, iOS, Android)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 (2015 | PC, iOS, Android)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (2015 | PC, iOS, Android)
- FNAF World (2016 | PC)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location (2016 | PC, Android, iOS)
- Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator (2017 | PC)
- Ultimate Custom Night (2018 | PC)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (2019 | PC, PS4, PS VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Special Delivery (2019 | iOS, Android)
- Freddy in Space 2 (2019 | PC, iOS, Android)
- Security Breach: Fury’s Rage (2021 | PC, iOS, Android)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (2021 | PC, PS4, PS5)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 (2023 | PSVR 2)
How to play Five Nights at Freddy’s games in chronological order
The Five Nights at Freddy’s games begin in the early 1980s, when the first Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria was shut down in 1983. This event is mentioned in Five Nights at Freddy’s 4, which is the earliest game in the series.
The years in which the subsequent games take place are indicated in the paychecks earned by the player character and other in-game materials. In Five Nights at Freddy’s 3, it is stated that the game occurs 30 years after the closure of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, bringing the story into the modern era instead of the earlier time periods depicted in the first two games.
The Five Nights at Freddy’s games have evolved with the digital age, incorporating modern communication technology. The most recent addition to the franchise, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach, takes place after the events of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted, which is a virtual reality game.
This revelation places Security Breach as the latest game in the series’ timeline. The Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise covers a span of approximately four decades in its in-game history, with the lore reaching back even further.
1. Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (2015)
To understand the chronological order of the Five Nights at Freddy’s games, it is recommended to begin with Five Nights at Freddy’s 4. This game is set in 1983, which is inferred from an easter egg discovered in one of the post-Night minigames.
By interacting with a TV in the living room and repeatedly pressing it, a still image of a commercial for a show called Fredbear and Friends will eventually appear. Based on the date displayed below the title, it can be concluded that this show aired in 1983.
In contrast to the previous games, Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 takes place in a different setting. Instead of being a security guard in an office, you play as a young child in their bedroom. Throughout the night, you will have to constantly move from your bedroom doors to your closet and even check behind you on your bed to escape from various horrifying enemies.
The main enemies you will encounter are nightmare versions of the original animatronics including Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. It is important to listen for their presence and keep your flashlight nearby to ward them off.
2. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2014)
The second game in the Five Nights at Freddy’s series is called Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. In this game, players take on the role of a security guard working the night shifts at the newly-opened Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
Alongside the familiar animatronics, FNAF 2 introduces two new characters: The Puppet and Balloon Boy. This means players will have to keep an eye out for these additional threats on the security cameras.
In the latest installment, players are equipped with a Freddy Fazbear head to protect themselves from the animatronics. Wearing the head makes it difficult for the animatronics to identify you, giving you extra time to survive until morning.
Additionally, players must keep a music box wound up to prevent The Puppet from approaching. Unlike the other animatronics, The Puppet cannot be deceived by the fake Freddy head, so it is crucial to keep the music box playing.
3. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location (2016)
In contrast to the previous installment, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location introduces a new setting called Circus Baby’s Entertainment and Rental, where a different set of animatronics can be found.
This time, you assume the role of a technician responsible for night shifts, facing various tasks while also trying to survive encounters with the animatronics. Determining the placement of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location on the timeline is a bit more challenging, and there is still ongoing debate among fans regarding its setting.
4. Five Nights at Freddy’s (2014)
The game that initiated the franchise, Five Nights at Freddy’s, allowed players to assume the role of a security guard responsible for monitoring Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza during five night shifts.
The primary objective is to keep a close watch on the animatronics, including Chica, Bonnie, Foxy, and the titular character Freddy Fazbear.
Recently, their behavior has become rather unpredictable, and they tend to wander freely during the night. It is crucial to prevent them from entering your office.
In the Five Nights at Freddy’s games, players have the task of monitoring cameras and ensuring the animatronics stay away. They can also close the security doors if the animatronics get too close.
However, players must be cautious as they have limited power to use. Once the power is depleted, the doors and lights become unusable. It is worth noting that Five Nights at Freddy’s is set a few years after the previous games, possibly in the early 1990s.
5. Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 (2015)
The game Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 takes place thirty years after the closure of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. This places it after the events of the first game, which is when the restaurant closed down permanently.
Assuming the first game is set in the early ’90s, Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 would be set in the 2020s. The game introduces a new location called Fazbear’s Fright: The Horror Attraction.
This attraction is based on the terrifying events that occurred at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza and features old animatronics from the original restaurant to add to the suspense.
6. Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator (2017)
If you’re getting bored of your job in security or maintenance, why not try your hand at managing your own pizza restaurant? In the game Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator, you have the opportunity to do just that.
However, don’t be fooled, this game still has its fair share of scares. You’ll still have to keep the animatronics at bay while you’re in your office, and there’s plenty of things to keep an eye on while you’re there too.
In order to play the Five Nights at Freddy’s games, you will have a computer by your side to monitor everything and accomplish your tasks. Additionally, it is crucial to keep an eye on the vents on both sides of you, as there might be creatures crawling through them.
However, it is important to note that both your computer and the vents produce a significant amount of noise, so you will have to alternate between turning them off to listen to your surroundings effectively.
7. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (2019)
The first venture of the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise into virtual reality was with the game Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted. This game was later released on PC and consoles, and a sequel called Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 for PSVR 2 is set to be released later this year.
Developed by Steel Wool Studios in collaboration with Scott Cawthon, Help Wanted offers a collection of mini-games that include the well-known animatronics and experiences from previous games in the series.
8. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Special Delivery (2019)
The game called Five Nights at Freddy’s: Special Delivery is an Augmented Reality game that became available on mobile devices shortly after the release of Help Wanted.
Similar to Help Wanted, which allowed players to experience FNAF in virtual reality, Special Delivery brings the animatronics into the player’s home.
In this game, players must constantly watch out for the animatronics on their mobile devices as they move around the room. To defend against them, players can use a flashlight and controlled shock.
9. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (2021)
The latest installment in the Five Nights at Freddy’s series, Security Breach, is the second game created collaboratively by Scott and Steel Wool Studios, following Help Wanted.
This game offers a free-roaming survival horror experience, where players take on the role of a young boy named Gregory, who finds himself trapped inside Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex at night.
Throughout the game, Gregory must navigate the treacherous animatronics and rely on unexpected assistance to survive.
This game is the final installment in a chronological playthrough. It is evident that Freddy Fazbear’s has expanded into a massive Pizzaplex, and there is also a significant moment in one of the endings that confirms it is set after the events of the previous games. However, to prevent spoilers, we encourage you to discover this ending for yourself!
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