Find out if you’re ready to brave Fazbear’s frights in our full review below: Our full review will tell you if Fazbear’s scares are worth it. Steel Wool Studios has never had a more successful franchise, but each entry in the series further divides fans. It was an intriguing game, but it diverged significantly from the original formula. Security Breach, which followed, was a complete mess, with unfinished ideas, compromises and a radical deviation from the original experience. What is it?
The facts
What’s the deal with this game? : Help WantedA room-scale horror VR minigame collection that’s themed around and partially recreates scenes from Five Nights At Freddy’s Sister Location and the Security Breach games.
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(reviewed on Quest 3)QuestRelease Date:PSVR 2 Out nowSteamDeveloper:
Steel Wool StudiosPrice:
$39.99For a minute, some genuinely feared that it was curtains for the games. When even the middling
is performing better than before, it’s a cause for concern. Security Breach’s DLC Ruin has improved its reputation. But the question is: will Steel Wool be able to make it three times the charm? The atmosphere was much darker, the challenges more unpredictable and I needed to look for hidden secrets. The player is not protected by giant robot bears. It’s not a scenario where you beg for a brightness slide. Help Wanted 2 has one if needed. It’s a solid sound design, and there are some fantastic directional clues when you’re about to be eaten by something. It will make sense eventually, but it is less thrilling than the original Help Wanted story. The outcome depends on the level of player engagement with a character from Security Breach Ruin. Alternatively, there’s a harder to get ending that resolves some of the main Security Breach story, but in a way that honestly raises more questions than answers.
Though the minigames revisit moments from Sister Location and Security Breach, the story doesn’t really connect to the two entries in as clear a way. The two antagonists who are persistent in each game, Circus Baby, and Moon, come from their respective games. Circus Baby, the more lovable of the two characters is mostly limited to plush forms. Some of the Sister Location animatronics are re-imagined in a couple of minigames. The minigames are a great way to enjoy the smaller stories, even if you don’t care about the larger story. While you can revisit several of the nights in Sister Location, Security Breach sections allow for a new perspective on the Fazplex. The games I played were not haunted at all. For example, I performed some amateur surgery on Helpy, performed hot beats while a demon spider robot DJ was playing, fended Chica off as a fast-food server, composed some music with a demonic robotic DJ and a few arcade games. The 3D audio in a pirate boat shooting gallery was the best since Blumhouse production. The spatial audio in the game is the best part of its presentation. I play Dead Space for relaxation, but Help Wanted 2 has gotten under my skin in the best way. It’s a great way to keep the spirit of the first games while also ensuring that nothing is overdone. After working up a good sweat I would take a break, drink some water and then dive right back into the game. It’s harder to unlock all the stages, because you have to solve a meta-narrative puzzle before you can access certain ones. It’s not a brand new idea for the
Help wanted games but it may surprise new players. After you’ve made it inside, let me save you a little trouble. You’ll thank me later! You’ll thank me later!ComfortHelp Wanted 2 is quite comfortable to play, with minimal sections requiring turning or actions that would induce sea-sickness. The hub area is teleported, but there are hidden collectibles that can be found by walking around your room. While the majority of the gameplay is within reach, some minigames such as Ballora Gallery require repetitive movements like crawling and throwing balls. You can choose from a range of options for accessibility, including the style and speed of turning. You may find yourself in a different part of the world if you remove your headset and move it to a place other than where you normally play. Restarting the minigame in mid-play or returning to the hub’s main area will immediately orient you. There is a secret that’s tied to the glitch but I’m not going to reveal it!
The physics simulations are also impressive. To interact with the world, I had to throw, thrust and smack. There were a few surprisingly good scares, but my heart rate was pumped more by the workout. Ballora Gallery is an excellent way to work out your arms. The physics were a mixed blessing, however, because when I had to roll or toss a ball the game went from being challenging to frustrating faster than a jumpscare. It’s a shame that there isn’t any auto-aim assistance for this game, especially since it targets a younger audience. I understand that getting the highest score isn’t critical to winning but that doesn’t mean these stages couldn’t have been better executed.Asgard’s Wrath 2There was also some frustration with the one food prep minigame, as a key “pizzarito” machine really lacks responsive scripting. The only way to get it to trigger was by repeatedly hitting the pizza on it. This cost me a lot of time, while all other elements worked perfectly. The “complete” buttons would be accidentally triggered by my hand when I was trying to grab another item, which resulted in an unwarranted loss of game because I had not actually completed the order. In this count, I include the Hard Mode levels which are fun and live up to their description. The weakest stage is the Fazer Blasts. They are too complicated for their own sake and lack the precision needed to be fair. In Hard Mode, instead of racing against a clock, you’ll have to use a flashlight to repel a danger or harness the impatience of an animatronic to keep others away. Steel Wool is a great example of a game that has embraced room-scale virtual reality to its fullest. I understand that there is a greater audience for the flat Five Nights titles, but VR really makes this series shine. The unnerving feeling of being up close to these monstrous beasts is re-established in VR. The Quest 3’s performance is impressive, even though it can’t match the PSVR 2’s graphic fidelity. No frame dips, minimal evidence of lowered detail, and some outstanding dynamic lighting.
Granted, I’m also glad I just invested in a head strap with extra battery for longer play sessions –
Help Wanted 2 will burn through your charge fast, and I’m using a relatively brand-new headset battery. It’s being used to great effect, but it’s worth considering.
Five Nights At Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 Review – The Final VerdictUntil Dawn: Rush of BloodAltogether, Five Nights At Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 is a great all-ages horror game that makes excellent use of VR. The game won’t revolutionize horror games or minigames, but the return to classic form is a welcome one. The storyline may be confusing to newcomers, but the replayability of its stages makes it more than worth while. Whether you’ve been facing down Freddy and co. since 2014 or are just looking for something spooky to play on your headset, this one is definitely worth grabbing!
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