I'm going to be honest with all of you, I can't stop talking about Five Night's at Freddy's... but not for the right reasons.
Five Night's At Freddy's might be a cult favorite given the unique style and gameplay it offers, but unique gameplay doesn't make up for the blatant missteps within the entire franchise in regards to the plot and consistency. There have been some excellent theories and FNAF easter eggs, but some things don't add up.
If it was just one game, maybe it could be easily overlooked but seeing as Scott Cawthon is working on a fourth and, thankfully, final Five Night's at Freddy's, all just can't be forgiven just yet.
Don't get me wrong, the game is certainly not a novel and I don't expect everything to be written out for me. Missing elements can be a great thing as it keeps fans thinking and interested; however, when things contradict other previously stated points there's an issue. Unfortunately FNAF has lots of contradictions.
So, with that being said; here are the biggest plot issues within the current trilogy.
Killer Convicted. Case Closed.
I have many questions when it comes to FNAF but my first one has always been: if someone was arrested, why is there even a game?
I know after the first game, people wanted to theorize that there was no real security guard or even Fazbear's Pizzeria; we were actually playing as the murderer in a never ending nightmare of a guilty conscience. Really, the theory would have made sense had there not been two other games that pointed in a completely different direction.
It is points like this one that really makes me doubt that Cawthon had any intentions to turn the game into a franchise, thus not really thinking things through.
But, wait! People get convicted of crimes that they didn't commit all the time, you say. True, but there is a second clipping prior to the one shown that says the man convicted was caught on video surveillance footage taking kids to the back room.
It has already been decided that the murders happened before FNAF 2 and, despite initial thoughts, the game seems to be linear, yet games 2 and 3 suggest that someone else killed the five children. If that's true, what's the point of mentioning that someone has been arrested and charged for the murders? There is no mention anywhere else in the game that perhaps the wrong person was convicted and the killer still out there....you know ,because Springtrap....
The mention, whether true or not, does nothing for the plot of the story at all.
The Animatronics Sound Gross, But Really Aren't
Have you ever been told that something sounds worst than it really is? Well this is one of those times, especially in regards to the games antagonists.
If you read the newspaper clippings in game one, you probably saw the complaint about the animatronics smelling bad and having mucus and blood coming from thier eyes and mouths. Unfortunately, we don't see any of this. In fact, throughout the entire game, the animatronics look well kept.
Ok, I hear the arguments. But let's assume that the animatronics are regularly cleaned up during the day time. Sure, but like any good horror movie or game, things go bump in the night and change. We play a security guard on the night shift which means we would see these changes but not once do we see blood or mucus.
Also, the addition of mucus makes no sense to even be present let alone in the eye for a good reason; ready for an bio lesson? The main kind of mucus within the eye is typically found in the corner of the eyes and tends to accumulate when we sleep. These kids were murdered, not put to sleep. Other kinds of eye mucus would include that caused by allergies, infections such as pink eye, and viral conjunctivitis, which can cause itchy watery eyes. All forms of these eye mucus' are nowhere excessive that it would leak outside of the eye holes of any of the animatronics.
Well, the mucus came from the mouth? Just as unlikely. Mucus in the mouth typically stems from allergy issues that have caused mucus from the nasal cavity to drain into the mouth and into the throat. Excessive salivation is a medical condition, but is more so associated with dehydration. Once again, the kids supposedly stuffed into the mascots are long dead and even if they managed to secrete mucus from the mouth just like with the eyes, you would not see it.
Where's the Blood and Guts?
Speaking of blood and mucus.....Springtrap, you have some explaining to do.
The whole idea behind Springtrap's character is that he is the murderer who lured and killed the five children that we learn about in the first installment. He also got spooked (according to FNAF 3) and jumped into a spring loaded suit accidentally killing himself in the process.
Ok, great. So we get the origin of his character. Even better, Scott threw in some randomly generated Easter Eggs that show there's a decomposing body within the mutilated costume. Even better! But once again, where's the blood and guts?
Springtrap looks more like an abandoned costume that got treated a bit better than Mangle instead of a walking coffin mixed with a new-age Iron Maiden. Sure, the murderer's body might not have been so badly penetrated by springs to have his entrails hanging out but ideally, according to logic at least, blood stains would be all over the suit. If you're into horror, as I would assume you would be if you're playing this game, then you know how all that works.
Oh Where, Oh Where Has Springtrap Gone?
I don't mean after the Freddy Fazbear Attraction burned down, I mean where was he during games one and two? I can't be the only one wondering and hoping his obscure whereabouts isn't just because Scott didn't think of him until the third game.
According to a phone call in FNAF 3, there's a closed off room that no one has been in. So we assume that Springtrap was hiding in there the entire time. It also can be assumed as well that the Attraction was built off of one of the original Pizzerias, meaning he was there the entire time and not moved there.
Given that all five children were killed in the first game, or at least prior to it, we assume that the killer met his fate in the same timeline. I don't know how long it takes for a spirit to come back and possess and animatronic but.. if Springtrap was still in the backroom or had gotten up, wouldn't someone on day shift gone back and noticed the pool of blood?
Ironically enough, the FNAF 3 Night 3 recordings specifically designate off-camera safe rooms for employees to go to bleed out.....you know, just in case the springs accidentally go off....
I've seen the argument that Springtrap is holding onto life. So you're telling me that within the last year or so, Springtrap hasn't bled to death? That is to say, he miraculously missed a spring going off into his head and insta-killing him. Sure.
But back to what I was saying, if a foul odor was coming from animatronics that bodies were never found inside of; assuming someone checked, I can just imagine the stench that would have been coming from Springtrap. You know, a fairly very noticeable strong stench that I think someone would have investigated.
I Recognize That Voice
I won't argue whether or not Phone Guy and Purple Guy are the same person but what isn't up for debate is that Phone Guy is prevalent in all three games which is a big issue in terms of continuity and plot.
Remember how I mentioned that FNAF is obviously a linear story? Well, Phone Guy dies in FNAF 1 (or fakes his death, as some theorize) yet we hear his voice in FNAF 2 and FNAF 3. Now I know that Phone Guy's voice in FNAF 3 comes from found recordings, but in FNAF 2 there is no mention of the calls being recordings. Phone Guy also makes it clear that you are at a brand new location also notes the differences between the two offices i.e, no doors.
I guess Scott couldn't get a second voice actor.
I wonder if Phone Guy is going to make one last call in Five Nights at Freddy's 4: The Last Chapter.
Plot Holes? What Plot Holes?
Plot holes happen. In movies, books and games we see them everywhere and while some can easily be ignored some just leave you scratching your head.
One thing for sure is Five Nights at Freddy's isn't a a game without plot. It has a definite story but it just falls short in the complete telling.
Hopefully, I didn't ruin the game for you too much. So now it is your turn; what are some plot issues you've noticed in the game?
Published: May 27, 2015 11:34 am