If you spend any time in gaming circles, you’ve almost certainly heard whispers about a lowly security guard, a creepy pizza place, and animatronics that wander the halls at night. Five Nights at Freddy’s (often abbreviated as Fnaf) isn't just a jump-scare simulator; it’s a game of resource management, patience, and nerves of steel.

If you are new to the series or just looking to finally beat that tricky fourth night, here is a breakdown of how to survive your new summer job.

The Core Gameplay Loop

At its heart, the game is deceptively simple. You play as a night security guard at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. Your job is to watch the security cameras from midnight until 6:00 AM. It sounds easy enough, but there is a catch: the animatronic mascots—Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy—roam the building at night, and they don't react well to seeing humans after hours.

You are stuck in a small office with two doors on either side. You cannot move, you cannot fight back, and you cannot leave. Your only defenses are the metal doors you can shut and the lights you can toggle to check the blind spots outside your office.

The challenge lies in managing your power supply. Every action you take drains your battery. Checking the cameras? That uses power. Closing the doors? That drains power rapidly. Even turning on the hall lights eats away at your limited supply. If your battery hits 0% before 6 AM, everything shuts down, leaving you in the dark—and defenseless—against the animatronics.