Summary
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pitis the newest entry in theFive Nights at Freddy’sfranchise, and the first to adapt a story from its expansive book canon. The title sees players experience the very first short story fromtheFazbear Frightsseries,Into the Pit, as a 2D survival horror game. In order to better fit the gaming medium,Into the Pit’s game adaptation includes a host of elements exclusive to its version of the narrative. Some of these changes are used to tailor the title for an interactive experience, such as its breakdown of the narrative into the classic five nights. However, other additions see the title take a deeper approach to exploring the narrative, allowingInto the Pitto expand the lore featured in the original short story.
Developed by Mega Cat Studios,Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pittells the story of Oswald, a boy who spends summer days at a local eatery, Jeff’s Pizza. On the last day of summer, he decides to scare his dad by hiding in the restaurant’s abandoned ball pit. He discovers that the pit can transport him back in time to 1985, when the restaurant was a thriving Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Unfortunately, Oswald arrives on the fateful day when Spring Bonnie murdered six children, causing him to flee back to the ball pit. Oswald tries to explain what happened to his dad, but Spring Bonnie launches from the pit, dragging his father to the past and replacing him in the present. With Spring Bonnie hunting him, Oswald must devise a way to escape his home each night, return to the past, and end the chain of events he started.
Into the Pits’ Game Adaptation is More Deeply Rooted in the Series Canon
TheInto the Pitshort story, the first entry in the first volume ofFazbear Frights, functioned as a fresh introduction to the world ofFive Nights at Freddy’s. No prior knowledge was required, with its opening events covering the original murders of Spring Bonnie, before telling a fresh present-day story. However, theInto the Pitgame is tailored towards an audience that has spent the past decade experiencingthe lore ofFive Nights at Freddy’s, paving the way for a host of additions that more deeply ingrain the story in the overall lore. Most significantly, it includes more overt references to William Afton,FNAF’s big bad who murdered children in a Spring Bonnie costume over multiple years, before coming back as Springtrap after death.
While the original novel features Spring Bonnie, it lacks overt references to Afton and his role in the lore.Into the Pit’s game depicts Afton through a range of hidden references and narrative options. An arcade game features a hidden Purple Guy room. Night 4 sees Oswald enter the Security Office, where a very familiar camera station and some previously absent animatronics are waiting for him, along with a reference toThe Man in Room 1280. On Night 5, a Strange Photo can be found, depicting Afton withFNAFco-founder Henry Emily, which plays a role in the game’s good endings. What’s more, photos in various rooms depict Afton and other key characters, some of which randomly appear upon re-entry.
Into the Pit Features References to a Variety of FNAF Properties
References to William Afton aren’t the only element added to the world ofInto the Pit, as the title features a host of references to other properties fromFNAF’s past decade of media. Highly debated figures such as GGY are referenced through certain interactions with the environment. Nods toFNAFnovelThe Twisted Ones, Fredbear’s Singing Show, andtheFNAFmoviecan be found while exploring Oswald’s House and Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The title’s secret minigames also have players enact other key stories from theFazbear Frightsseries. One of these stories,Fetch, is even referenced again, should players unlockInto the Pit’s 3-star ending.
Into the Pitis a faithful retelling of the original short story, albeit with a different audience in mind. The weight of introducing the franchise to a new audience no longer restricts its references, allowing the title to inject a host of narrative and environmental elements that connect it toFNAF’s wider universe. In doing so, it expands the role of the original story, more deeply ingraining the series’ lore, characters, and secrets into Oswald’s quest.
Into the Pitis the latest instance of the game series adapting elements from its short stories, withTales from the Pizzaplex’sMimicdebuting inFNAF Security Breach: RUINlast year. WhileFive Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit’s canonicity is not yet confirmed, its closing reference bodes well for those hoping to seeFazbear Frightsadapted to games in the future.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit
WHERE TO PLAY
Jump into the pit and immerse yourself in a new chapter in the Five Nights at Freddy’s universe. Oswald wishes his town, and his life, weren’t so boring. That all changes when he explores the ball pit in a rundown pizzeria and finds himself in the past. However, Oswald’s deepest desire will have an unexpected cost…Survive five nights of terror in this chilling adventure game. Travel between time periods, gather clues, and outrun the threat relentlessly pursuing you. Move swiftly and stay hidden, and you may just survive. But be careful—it’s not just your own life that’s on the line. Oswald’s father and children from the past could all meet their end if you don’t save them.Experience the heart-pounding adventure of a beloved entry in the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise, Into the Pit. Solve satisfying puzzles intertwined with an adrenaline-fueled story. Immerse yourself in a narrative experience.
