Was Sister Location BAD? Or the BEST? (Sister Location Retrospective)

Today we're taking a look back at Five Nights at Freddy's 5: Sister Location, a game that has recently been getting a lot of attention for its remake coming up. A step out of Fnaf's comfort zone and a divisive game amongst fans, but does it deserve to be?
Well, let's take a look!
Music:
Cemetery Clown - Sir Cubworth
Watch Your 6 - Sister Location
Sloppy Clav - Godmode
Forbidden Nocturne - Sister Location
Mi Dispiace - Mini Vandals
Gaussian Encounters - Dialtown ost, Nathan Hanover
Turtle Crusher - Sister Location
Funiculi Holiday - Pizza Tower Ost
0:00 The Question Nobody Asked Me
1:35 The Lead-Up to Sister Location (Fnaf 4 and World Teasers)
3:38 Sister Location's Trailer & Response
4:08 The Release & Reception of Sister Location
4:54 Sister Location's Change in Gameplay
5:51 Night 2: Bidybabs, Ballora, and Funtime Freddy
7:09 Night 3: Funtime Foxy and Freddy Repair
8:00 Bonbon and the Mouse Problem
9:11 Likely the WORST Fnaf Level Ever (Night 4)
11:24 Night 5: Simon Says
12:06 The Circus Baby (Death) Minigame
12:35 The Ennard Boss Battle (And how to get there)
13:26 A Quick look at Custom Night
14:06 The BIGGEST Problem with Sl's Gameplay
17:30 Sister Location's Story & Lore
19:39 Giving the Animatronics Personalities (Why it was Good)
20:47 Back to the story
21:50 Baby's Story about Killing a Child
22:28 How Night 4 also Sucked Storywise
23:17 The Betrayal and Scooping of Michael
24:18 Elizabeth Afton and how she became Baby
26:01 The Fake "Happy" Ending
26:38 The Whole Two Purple Men Thing (Custom Night)
28:53 How Circus Baby Made SL's Story GREAT
30:28 A Small Critique on Baby's Monologuing
31:58 The Story Themes of SL- Familial Betrayal and Neglect
34:30 Michael Afton and Others (Characters)
35:01 The Jumping the Shark Moment for Fnaf
35:42 The Ballora and Ennard Red Herring
37:00 Why Sister Location's Story Works
37:47 BUT did Sister Location Ruin Fnaf's Lore? Well...
40:36 The Rental Facility & Atmosphere (And Darkness)
43:18 The Animatronic Designs
44:06 Baby's Underutilized Design
45:20 Ballora, the Scariest Funtime
46:20 Funtime Freddy & Funtime Foxy
47:17 Lolbit & Yenndo Mention
48:00 A Comment on the Music
48:23 TLDR What do I think of Sister Location? (Final Thoughts)
51:20 The Truth about Sister Location

[@casualcommenter7152]

The lore was broken, the demolition was inevitable and the butters were exotic. Truly one of the FNAF games of the franchise.

[@Mandalore_ultimate]

FNAF 4 is what broke the lore

[@itstheblandman8734]

Yeah it truly was the 5th fnaf game

[@azimuddin1890]

@@Mandalore_ultimate Agreed

[@Mandalore_ultimate]

@@azimuddin1890 The lore started being convoluted and inconsistent when FNAF 4 came along

[@KnightofSomething]

Exotic Butter

[@raelogan]

Scott is a game designer. Not so much a storyteller. But gosh, he sure knows how to nail the sci-fi atmosphere when it comes to sound and character design.

[@duck_duck_goose]

One of his old games called “The Desolate Hope” was very as sci fi themed with sentient robots trying to find their creator (if I remember correctly). It seems a lot of Sister Location’s environments and atmosphere is based off of it

[@CarmsCelestia]

> Scott is a game designer. Not so much a storyteller. Fun fact, Scott prefers writing over game design. "Scott Cawthon is the author of the bestselling video game series Five Nights at Freddy s, and while he is a game designer by trade, he is first and foremost a storyteller at heart." But yeah, I sadly have to agree.

[@redpanda6497]

Yeah, the atmosphere itself is good, it's doesn't fit FNAF. It looks like something from his past games.

[@REALPEDROGAMEPLAYS]

@@duck_duck_gooseThe Desolate Hope is very weird. The robot’s purpose is to create simulations together perhaps to make a new world. They get hopeless and separate from each other due to no contact with human life in 30 years coupled with the viruses taking over their bodies. As coffee, you and the video game AI work together to play the Robot’s creations as a video game to clear the viruses and help the bots get along and find hope. I’m pretty sure the game ends with them creating a Utopia..? They basically make the Matrix. It’s a weird game and whether or not the ending matters the main character is told that they matter and that they do actually exist even if nothing ended up happening.

[@jasonallen6918]

@@CarmsCelestia Or at least he's assumes he's a good storyteller despite admitting to the fact that he was inexperienced with writing as he stated with all of the scrapped movie screenplays. I say Scott is good at coming up with interesting story ideas but the execution of said ideas are either hit or miss in my opinion.

[@Sganarell]

The game wasn’t great but the voice acting and lore made it a fan favourite, SL has enough charm to make up for the lack of gameplay

[@itstheblandman8734]

Yeah the voice acting was pretty great Ngl. Especially hearing William speak for the first time, that was awesome! Wish everyone got more lines though, I don’t even remember if Funtime foxy got any.

[@iamstillwaiting9305]

THIS IS SO TRUE ! I feel like steelwool expected SB to go over this way too.. then they cut all the lore 💀

[@MeemahSN]

@@itstheblandman8734 F.Foxy didn’t. That’s why people were so confused about his gender.

[@itstheblandman8734]

@@MeemahSN yeah had a feeling his first lines were in UCN, thanks for confirming for me dude 😁

[@kingvampstan]

@@MeemahSN wait what i thought f.f was a girl 💀

[@MichealAfton1983]

Well, I can definitely say working there was painful. Having to hide from bidybabs, dealing with spider ballerina robots, gaint bears that don’t stop talking, being stuck in a springlock suit, and getting my organs scooped out by my sister and being used as a skin suit was not fun

[@cyclorose]

my poor guy has endured so much 😔😔

[@notrealnamenotatall2476]

You're too good for this world, Mike.

[@latileaf260]

I'm so sorry you have such bad luck mike💀

[@dantevalehuntik28]

And I highly doubt you'll be able to get workplace comp for that either

[@MichealAfton1983]

@@dantevalehuntik28 i literally got paid exotic butters, you really think they gave me that?

[@EternalFireseal]

It's odd to hear that some people blame FNaF's future story problems on the game that seemed to work the hardest to have a complete internal story.

[@agenttex5973]

What's funny is people should really blame FNAF 4 For alot or The problems, I think Sister location was an attempt to Course correct the story

[@huggabletrubbish]

@@agenttex5973 honestly it seems like every other fnaf game is an attempt to course correct sometimes, but I digress.

[@Takejiro24]

​@@huggabletrubbishScott did say he tries to clarify any unclear plot points from previous entries in future ones.

[@chuckthecluckisoutofluck2197]

The problem was Sister Location wasn't a stand alone.

[@randomerjr3182]

@@agenttex5973Especially with the box and what it's content is. It really confused the entire fandom

[@TheWizardMus]

In my opinion SL is the introduction of my least favorite part of Modern FNaF, setting up a new villain only to throw them out or not use them properly. Baby/Ennard is set up to be the new Big Bad but once 6 rolls around, Ennard has split back up and Baby is a completely different character, none of what made her interesting is there anymore. Same with BOTH Glitchtrap and Vanny, being set up as a major part of the next game and then almost abandoned to never be mentioned again. I recognize this isnt exactly to be blamed ON SL and rather a 6 problem but given the fact Baby doesnt get enough villain time in SL it feels absolutely worth mentioning.

[@randomerjr3182]

Thiss. When I first entered the fandom, the thing that exited me the most was Baby being a major villain in the franchise (just to be fleshed out in the other games), because she was the first, very well written *female* villain, and character I had seen in soooo long. I had really big hopes for her, because as a girl on the internet who enjoyed anime and horror, seeing an *actually* well written female character made me incredibly happy:)

[@jmurray1110]

Also it introduced the idea that the books mattered abd that lead to an awful series of events that brought us the mimic

[@DarkestMarlin74]

06:10 Fun fact: You can actually cheese the Ballora and Funtime Foxy sections by spamming W (this works because the game only registers your movements when held, so the game does not move them towards you). Side note, you can also use CTRL + S to mute the game sounds directly, which can have adverse effects, including skipping entire dialogue sequences (especially those 3-5 minute rants from Baby).

[@henryapplebottom7231]

Ohh So security breach's muted=cut scene skip was a reference.

[@caldercockatoo2234]

16:14 You can actually access the Baby minigame much more easily through the extras menu at any time. If you hover your mouse over the bottom left corner, a clickable icon of Baby's sprite is shown, which starts the minigame.

[@jmurray1110]

You can’t get the ending without the random spawn You can practice it there but you can’t beat it

[@Someguy7771]

​@@jmurray1110what are you talking about? I got the pass by beating it from the extras menu so that's a misinformation there

[@jmurray1110]

@@Someguy7771 maybe that was updated later but that was definitely an issue for a time

[@Someguy7771]

@@jmurray1110 oof

[@Turbomun]

I think you just hit upon exactly why I was never crazy about Sister Location: the characters don’t DO anything. You never see them in action, they just sit there and, in Baby’s case, talk your ear off. It’s a major case of “tell, don’t show.” The animatronics would be way creepier with way more presence if they did more than sit around.

[@Austin_Soares]

Honestly, it's a complicated matter for me. Story wise it's not really good, gameplay wise it's good, potential wise it's tragic.

[@christophergirardi8145]

Whole heartedly agree. Hopefully Help Wanted 2 can SCOOP up some of that lost potential..... I'll see myself out now.

[@hattsoffthehatt3379]

Idk why but I genuinely laughed at the part where you were listing the other animatronic’s personalities and that Funtime foxy has none whatsoever lmao

[@stephenwillis2751]

What if SL had free roam like Security Breach, broken up by the different encounters? I think Afton's underground lab would make a lot more sense as a sprawling labyrinth you have to sneak around in.

[@fbih2oo]

I really wish it was a linear story based free roam too. Like a point and click game would fit it really well

[@LULIXIADDICT]

This game will always be the best in my eyes. It was partly because of “came out at the right time” and rose tinted glasses BUT I find the storyline, characters, and overall look and feel of the game to be the most enticing. Circus baby will always be my favorite character because of this game. Her voice, design, and plan are so interesting. She continues to be the best villian in the series [I have dyslexia I can’t read the books] which makes fnaf 6’s butchering of her more infuriating It helps that this game is so charming as well. The atmospheric music, the character designs, the voice acting, and the dry sense of humor is so endearing. I think that’s why people are more forgiving of SL over 3 because of these reasons alongside just the general effort poured into this game. Love this game, it’s a mess but it’s a special mess

[@marekadams6956]

Sister Location is an odd one. It's essentially a minigame collection that doesn't have an option to replay minigames. I think an option to do that, maybe with harder versions (unless it's the minireena one, that one is hard enough), could have made Sister Location an easier game to return to.

[@cacaumassipanoficial6203]

I don't know why, but I love looking at the initial screen of this game and the glossy effect the animatronics have with that purple light, I think it's more pretty the way it is in the menu than at other times.

[@reneejump4939]

For me personally I think sister location is one of the best fnaf games in the original era and in general the sci-fi aspect and look is cool sick ennard is a very creepy and cool villain and idea the whole minigames were unique the story was cool and we got to learn about the aftons and the name aftons being in the games timeline and we also got to find out about now ideas like anikatronics being used to capture and contain kids and we got to meet circus baby who I still really love as a character and her story

[@itstheblandman8734]

God Ennard was soooooooo cool man, I think he’s been the most intimidating opponent we’ve had to go up against except springtrap! Really sad they didn’t do much with him outside of SL though, I was waiting to see what they would do with him in the future

[@reneejump4939]

@@itstheblandman8734 I definitely agree maybe ennard could be in a future fnaf movie it would probably be incredibly hard to make but if it does happen than that could be cool and I kinda hope ennard gets more spotlight one day since his pretty interesting cool in design and very threatening and aggressive

[@itstheblandman8734]

@@reneejump4939 god if Ennard was in the next fnaf movie I’d cream. It’d be impossible to trust anyone 100% in the building because that could just be Ennard mimicking them! Ennard would make a great antagonist 🤩

[@redpanda6497]

And I agree and disagree.

[@randomerjr3182]

@@itstheblandman8734Ong, Also the atmosphere of Ennard is just... amazing. His design really does creep you out in the game, kinda like Ballora. He has a human-like mask, portraying an almost sadistic sort of expression. And the way he climbs through the vents makes him even more eery

[@119juns2]

as someone who has never played the games, sister location was and is always my favourite to watch.

[@davidhong1934]

Some games do indeed feel better for Let's Plays than others, like they're designed for commentary and reactions

[@fbih2oo]

Fnaf tbh is best experienced by watching but playing them sometimes is fun too

[@completelygivingup9413]

It’s my favorite behind Security Breach. I’m one of the many fans who haven’t played the games (don’t work well under stress) but it has so much charm that I think for the community outside of the game it was a godsend. No need to mark up personalities when the animatronics have their own! It was so fun compared to the first 4 games, having the same main team in every one.

[@derrickdaniels3955]

I agree

[@fatherpleasereturn2088]

yeah this game is perfect for an audience to watch, but not so fun to actually play yourself

[@Thatoneguy0007]

The best thing about this was Funtime Freddy. Kellen Goff really did such a good job.

[@Annnoura]

It was a really fun game to watch being streamed.

[@huggabletrubbish]

Kellen Goff is the best thing in both games.

[@tonythunder6048]

The best way I can describe fun time freddy is that one kid that has that one personality where you’re intrigued by them yet scared of what they will do. So you try your best to stay on their good side just in case but by the time something does happen you’re like “Oh crap. This guy is weird, how did I not see these red flags sooner?”. Funtime foxy on the other hand is like the quiet kid that’s good at things they do but scares you sometimes.

[@fishnewt1331]

Honestly, I was very intrigued by the story Sister Location told. Balora is still by far my favorite animatronic design. So human looking, yet something about her is uncanny and off-putting. Baby’s color scheme is red. I am a simple person who loves anything the color red.

[@Ghostface1998]

I really liked sister location this is when the franchise started to become different with its gameplay completely no more just looking left and right to see if the animatronics are there or the camera systems. Introduction of full sentence voice acting for the animatronics. The Funtime animatronics are some of my favorites the story is pretty cool, the sister location itself is really fascinating, the lore in this game really set the stage for future games, it had plenty of difficult moments with some great horror. It also has ennard taking your skin as a suit that’s really dark and awesome.

[@elvingearmasterirma7241]

Fun fact: I watch these videos purely for your voice and opinion

[@colekiesler6218]

While Sister Location did change a lot to what made FNAF as it is it still created a new experience for fans to enjoy even if it wasn’t perfect Scott still gave us a gift to a new era of the FNAF franchise. And most importantly we got the greatest butters to ever exist that are the most exotic.

[@spaceshiba1]

While I don't enjoy most of the gameplay, the charm and the custom night CARRIED it tbh. Used to be my favorite before help wanted came out, I remember struggling so much with night four with my old friend sitting in my room frantically telling me which springlocks to wind while I raged lol.

[@sailorofthenorthstar]

I think Sister Location would have been better off if they stuck to having it be a standalone story or the start of a new arc. The character designs are pretty good, they did a good job building a tense atmosphere, the gameplay could have been a nice change-up from the other FNAF-games and I genuinely like Baby's character. It's just a shame it marked the start of the lore turning into a complete mess.

[@mimiquoi7380]

For me the gameplay is not really the best of the games. BUT the character design of the animatronics are just my favorite ! So much personnality and detail in there design, I love the caracterisation of Baby and Funtime Freddy. Funtime Freddy who is my favorite Freddy of the franchise ! For me it will be really hard to top this band !

[@colesfunworld4184]

Sister location was the game that introduced me to FNAF.

[@justsomerandomperson6506]

I’m still disappointed that Baby wasn’t apart of the custom night, especially since Scott himself said it wasn’t canon.

[@giovannisoto4353]

I have mixed feelings about this game, On one hand, I liked Circus Baby's motives and backstory but on the other hand, William somehow had funds to build an entire warehouse underneath his house and hired workers there and NO ONE working there thought his MURDER ROBOTS were at all suspicious. Henry didn't even see to know what was going on there either until YEARS later somehow.

[@cacaumassipanoficial6203]

Ironically Security Breach was the first fnaf game I actually saw(because Sun and Moon caught my attention😅)and then it was Sister Location because I didn't have the patience for the previous ones 😅 nothing against it, I just can't play it myself and I don't find it's fun to see someone else doing.

[@steropeshu]

"...The switch from hauntings to scientific-based assertions of alchemy, but less like 9 and more like Jimmy Neutron, whatever that means..." is just about the best set of words I've ever heard in my life

[@RivkahSong]

While I loved the characters, cutscenes, and 8-bit lore of Sister Location (it was exciting to actually HAVE lore in the main gameplay and not have to scrape every exposed tile for it) I still remember getting to the scooper ending and being like "that's it?" because we only ever saw ONE animatronic properly. Funtime Freddy's two segments being the most of any animatronic we saw during the main game was a big let down (esp since, like you said, there was no indication that you could go to the secret office and custom night came later). It felt like all the other parts with Funtime Auditorium, Ballora Gallery, and Circus Baby's control room were character introductions that were building up anticipation for going toe to toe with them but that never happened. Sister Location was all build-up and no pay-off. Combine that with the frustration of BonBon and the MiniRinas segments and I was left disappointed.

[@buddhakai1458]

Night 4 “stuffed in a suit” being received as the worst part of the game is absolutely hilarious.

[@alexinator-hh5fe]

I do think there are good things about Sister Location. Finally giving us a name of our main antagonist rather than just ominous Purple Man hiding in the shadows. Giving us another game where Freddy is not in the main spotlight. Answering some questions and having certain parallels to FNAF 4. But the negatives are also pretty negative. There's no real formula to learn like in previous games because every night is literally different. But each night being kinda scripted also takes away replayability in certain aspects. Not to mention, Pizzeria Simulator, while having a nice sendoff with Henry's speech, retroactively makes certain things about this and previous games worse. For example, Springtrap. The newspaper at the end of FNAF 3 teases that William is still out there. We get a small cameo of him in FNAF 4(aside from the Fredbear plush talking to us I guess), and then a cutscene that confirms he escaped in SL. The big antagonist is back. But oh wait. The return you've been made to wait 3 games for ends with him going into a trap that he KNOWS is a trap, set on fire again and then dying? So the plotline of him escaping doesn't really matter because he doesn't actually get to do anything. Likewise, Baby, a former victim, is likely driven mad because she know's there's a spirit inside of her and expresses remorse and curiosity as to why. But also desires to leave and not be trapped in the dark forever while constantly being shocked. So she manipulates Micheal in order to escape her eternal prison. A villain, yes. But one with layers. Is she sympathetic or is she simply putting on an act and "pretending" in order to escape? Ennard gets into Mike but then leaves and boots Baby out. So now we have two villains who are not William wandering the world. That could be interesting. Except, oh wait, like William, their return is instantly not nearly as effective because they die almost immediately after. While I do like the idea of Pizzeria Sim tying everything together in a nice bow(until the newer gen of games emerged and now people are doubting if any of the characters actually passed on), I do wish we'd gotten to see some of these characters breathe instead of just immediately being disposed of.

[@matti.8465]

Having a purple guy and a guy who's actually purple but ISN'T the purple guy is one of the funniest and most needlessly convoluted decisions FNAF has taken. Almost as funny as having the bite of FNAF 4, the starting incident of the whole series, NOT be the bite of '87 that's been built up since the start. Instead it's a completely separate thing

[@LuckasSilver]

Drinking Game: Take a shot everytime "But I digress" is said. Loved this analysis, it's very straight forward and I appreciate the lack of responsibility placed on the game for what came after.

[@omzray]

Sister location was my fav ngl

[@KismetLizard]

Same

[@twitchyteeth]

oh, sister location. i don't love the scifi direction fnaf took, nor do i like that no one can agree on when elizabeth died. i absolutely hate remnant as a concept. but my god, did i love sister location when it came out, and i wouldn't change those positive memories for the world! most of my enjoyment of fnaf at this point is just sitting back and enjoying the chaos, and sister location is a piece of that chaos, but it's one i'll always have a soft spot for. this is a great balanced critique, nice work as always!

[@percythedu8712]

I am so glad that you talked about the character design. Honestly it was so cool to see the animatronics scary for a different reason than being torn up when I first saw the trailer in 5th grade. Sister location had some cool visuals, and the minireenas are my favorite characters :]

[@TaliEpshtein]

Sister Location was a great game, still is! Love your content NotA!

[@ebboy53]

I think people tend to forget that when this game came out it was huge. I will always cherish those few weeks where the entire internet stopped and clamored over FNaF whenever a new game shadowdropped. We had four titles of similar gameplay, and to get something completely new and different; more cinematic and interesting, was absolutely mind-blowing. The Funtime animatronics were so appealing and the whole vibe was so mysterious. It was just a completely different feeling from anything you would find in the series to that point. You wouldnt imagine the reception the game got. Probably my favorite time to follow the series.

[@xhydex9507]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who couldnt make it past the Minirenna level. That really was rage inducing. I wanted to punch my screen so bad, and I'm normally a VERY chill person.

[@latileaf260]

I actually love Sister location. Puts a twist on the usual nightguard at desk in haunted pizzeria thing fnafs got going! That and the sweet sweet lore That being said...fnaf 2 and 3 will be my favorites forever,hehe

[@chaoticbing5662]

If I the one who rewrite the scene in night 4 I’ll probably make baby sound sympathetic and talking about life in the underground to make you feel sorry for her and fortunately, using Ballore scooping as example and will did how it probably go

[@chaoticbing5662]

This my rewrite lines in night 4 Baby : hello, are you in there ? oh good you’re awake . (Mike surprise and slight panicking) Baby: hold on calm down and slow down your breath, you in something that came from my old pizzeria while you were leaving, Funtime auditorium foxy attacked you but luckily your guardian angel, save you. Aftermath of Ballore scooping Baby: I was scared of the scooper, and it usually takes three or four times to put me down and just feel my body fall apart, just like a broken up toy Baby: I have a question, do you ever make believe before? I had and did it so many times to pretend to be Perfect, pretend to be fixed so many to fool others and even myself some Occasions but if they do send me here, are I try to be a pretend to be a pint of ice cream Ready to be scooped and I do feel like a pint ice cream does not feel anything at all

[@freekeyboard9988]

The game isn’t the best but it’s always gonna be my favorite probably because my favorite animatronic ballora was introduced

[@sunfastrose]

I love the trailer for Sister Location; something about Circus Baby just hits me visually just right. She’s my favorite FNAF character visually (Scrap Baby comes close) and from a couple of your prior videos she had such great character potential.

[@swiftie547]

Sister Location has a special place in heart, this was the game that took me into the fnaf community all those years ago.

[@EndertheDragon0922]

Can’t you see a map of the building via the extras menu? I vaguely remember that being how Markiplier figured out how to find Ennard. Seems easier than trying to study the breaker room while fending off Freddy. It’s been a while though and I’ve admittedly never played the game myself so I could be wrong.

[@RedGunDSL]

Your impersonation of Baby was so cute

[@notrealnamenotatall2476]

D'aww, thanks! 😊

[@RedGunDSL]

@@notrealnamenotatall2476 great video as always btw

[@plushdragonteddy]

the idea of blaming a game for the direction the series took is so strange to me. i understand blaming audience reception to a certain aspect of a game (like if everyone said they loved the futuristic sci-fi stuff in sister location, that could influence future games), but at the end of the day, it's the devs who took the series in a new direction. sister location may or may not have been the beginning of that direction, or maybe it was pizzeria sim, or heck, even fnaf world somehow, but no matter which game started it, that game was only like that because the devs decided to make it so.

[@SabrinaSaysStuff]

Really enjoyed this more nuanced take on this game! Personally, I totally understand how being moreso a 1 and done experience can be a flaw in a series with mostly games that are pretty replayable, but I guess I'm more open to having this variety in fnaf between games meant to be replayable and games that are more suited to a once in a lifetime experience? I 100% agree with the opinion that if Sister Location wasn't as out there as it was fnaf would've stagnated hard. Even if what it tried really didn't stick the landing for some people, I think it was still overall something the series needed and benefited largely from

[@mr.blackwhite7846]

SL I feel is was the point of no return for fnaf, both good and bad. On one hand, it changed the gameplay formula and marked a sort of new beginning for the games. On the other hand it it also marked the wrecking of the story by way of fully leaning into the Sci Fi element. Now, if Scott loves Sci Fi and wants to incorporate it into his games, he can do that, why not. But at the same time it isn’t fair to expect the fans to accept this new direction for the series when he was the one to get them used to the horror element. SL ended up being a repeat of fnaf world, fandom perception wise. Some loved it, some hated it (these people I think only started to be vocal about it relatively recently). No one asked Scott to make a fnaf rpg, and then he was surprised when people hated it (ignoring the fact that the game was terrible at launch and had to be refunded to everyone who had bought it), only to love it years later. No one asked him to make fnaf a Sci Fi story. Reception-wise, SL was the opposite of fnaf world, revered at the start but slowly picked appart and criticized as time went on. And I think a lot of the criticism is fair, but for what it’s worth I can appreciated what Scott tried to do with SL, even if the execution wasn’t quite there in some parts.

[@Mandalore_ultimate]

I mean FNAF has always had Sci-fi elements since 2 considering we didn't have futuristic facial recognition software in the year 1987

[@mr.blackwhite7846]

@@Mandalore_ultimate At best that was light Sci Fi, nowhere near the extent of SL’s. And, I mean, in a series with robots that can move offstage, I can suspend my disbelief for facial recognition of all things… but illusion disks? Child luring and capturing robots? Voice mimicking technology? All that? Nah, doesn’t quite feel like fnaf to me.

[@higueraft571]

@@mr.blackwhite7846 >Nah, doesn’t quite feel like fnaf to me. Fair, although i'm not too sure how FNAF-like a curvy Sex Appeal Chicken that twerked it's way out of a NSFW Fangame is either :V

[@mr.blackwhite7846]

@@higueraft571 shady business organization that covers up its employees’ deaths that is FazEnt- I wouldn’t put it past them to design a more “appealing” looking robot, if it’ll help draw in more customers. Anything for more money, so long as it’s still within the bounds of “family friendly”.

[@Groovylonglegs]

⁠@@mr.blackwhite7846for illusion discs, they were never noticed until the books were read which was a bit after sister location was played so complaining about them at the release wouldn’t make sense because they didn’t exist in people minds until the books relaeased Child capturing animatronics is fair but William did make the SL animatronics who did go on a murdering spree and probably wanted to murder more people so it makes sort of sense he would make an automated system to kill more. And finally for voice mimicking technology the animatronics literally combined together so they probably combined voice boxes and used that to lure him to open the door because they were being smart. I get your gripes but but they can be explained, some can be more explained than others, but they overall would make sense

[@ARNPlays]

9:34 you can actually skip any and all monologues in Sister Location by pressing ctrl S to mute them, and since the game knows it's muted and you're not listening, it just skips it.

[@Gigacivic]

SL is what got me truly invested in the games. I’ll be 100% honest, I all but ignored the fandom and the first few games up until this game was released. But with the comedic delivery of the story (Eggs Benedict, Exotic Butters, etc.) and the Voice Actors; I had never and have never been more enthralled in a game. The first 3 games were scary enough to make me afraid of the dark again at that age, and Funtime Freddy was so terrifying I just wouldn’t be able to sleep some nights after playing. SL Made me scream thru both fear and laughter in a way I’ve never experienced before. For all the hate it gets I would definitely not be invested in the story as I am now without it. And I’ll be honest, the only reason I continue to play the games is because I’m chasing after the feeling this game gave me. I’m looking for the improbable impossible follow up to this game. I absolutely love SL. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. lol.

[@prcervi]

sister location was still fairly well grounded with how out there the series has gotten now, it wasn't the best built game by a long shot but it's also not the buggiest

[@wazzupyuwu]

i think SL is far from a bad game, but it does mark a noticeable shift in the direction and focus of the series going forward. though, personally, i don't think that shift was quite as jarring as so many people make it out to be, especially since SL pulled off so many things so well. also? i didn't realize it until you mentioned it, but SL really *is* pretty self-contained in comparison to almost every other FNAF game. i think the only other plots that are so small scale are 1, 2, and *kind of* security breach (up until the afton ending, which i know isn't canon anymore but still). i really appreciate that-- especially when looking at the current state of storytelling in the franchise. i think these more intimate, character and atmosphere focused storylines are honestly where FNAF works best. SL isn't quite as self-contained as 1 and 2, but it think it works just as well thanks to the addition of real character writing.

[@someonenamedsomeone9497]

12:47 the blueprints in the extras menu show this room exist and calls it “private” so your supposed to gather there is something going on there. Not very good indication, but I imagine it was supposed to be like fnaf 3’s good ending, where the community figures it out using hints.

[@JustCyclaReal]

Sister location was my favourite fnaf game until I actually played it but I would recommend the sister location minigames in help wanted 2 when that comes out because it will be more interesting from what Dawko showed us with how different Funtime Freddy is

[@MusiciansRule07]

What makes Sister Location my favorite game (tied with Pizzeria Simulator) is the story. Yes, it added more questions than answers in the long run but I enjoyed getting some solid facts about things plus I'm a sucker for flawed family dynamics. I also have a lot of good memories attached to the game because of all the Lets Plays and iconic music produced by it. It's not the best game in the series (in my opinion, that would be Pizzeria Simulator) but it's not the downfall of FNAF.

[@seabass5892]

How good Sister Location was will be a different answer for every person, but I think we can all agree on one thing; The fan songs that came out of it were absolute BANGERS

[@Popluvbug]

Real I honestly feel like the was the peak of the fan songs tbh

[@Groovylonglegs]

“Cant wait to meet you”

[@Sonicmid]

2:07 I actually really like this idea of the Fnaf 4 kids, being the sister, location animatronics. I remember somebody came up with a rewrite idea where the SL animatronics would be upgraded versions of the toys. The toys being possessed by the Fnaf 4 kids. The game actually takes place during the same time as Fnaf 3 and you play as phone dude who looking for more items for Fazbear fright. I honestly really like that idea.

[@gavinjames645]

Personally sister location is my most favorite fnaf game mainly due to my favorite animatronics being ballora and Funtime Freddy, but their are certain things I do wish were slightly different. 1. Circus baby should have been a threat and had her jumpscare involved. 2. Instead of ballora being another bloodthirsty animatronic she was the ally (showing that just like the puppet and glamrock freddy their can be good animatronics). 3. Funtime chica should have been in the game to merge with the other funtimes instead of ballora to form ennard. 4. Michael afton shouldn’t have been scooped but instead left to die in the underground facility. 5. Ennard shouldnt have happened and instead the funtimes should have just left the facility as themselves to do what they each want.

[@krdt1111]

As sister location is my favorite fnaf game, I’m glad this video exists

[@Scrap_Ballora]

A almost one hour master piece ❤ great job!

[@futureblues720]

I really liked the atmosphere in SL. The environments, fantastic voice acting & music create a very unique retro-future horror mood. For me it's held back by unskippable dialogue bits, some poor checkpoint placement (night 4, night 5 when going for the fake ending), & Ennard's traditional FNaF sequence (why does he move silently so much & why is the night sooo long?) With a few tweaks in a simple patch, the game could be exponentially better.

[@Starscream2009]

Its pretty good,dosent deserve the hate

[@Mandalore_ultimate]

How is Sister Location bad? I don't know what goes through fans' minds most of the time.

[@higueraft571]

Pretty much one aspect that's more or less agreed upon is the gameplay, it's very VERY linear and strict. Not really as free as Security Breach or Ruin, and not really as much variation/replayability of the original games. Or, generally: It's not very replayable.

[@mr.blackwhite7846]

@@higueraft571 based.

[@eduardoaguero1220]

I mostly love the game for it's aesthetic, I bought the Nintendo Switch collection of fnaf 1-SL, and I did pretty good till, THAT NIGHT, Someone then just sent me SL and I downloaded the save file, if Nifht 4 was less unfair, SL would be better as a minigame collection, but I'm really excited Help Wanted 2 is going to give the game a second life, as it is a minigame compilation, that will also have more new to offer. I also have a thing planned for my reddit where I delve into Baby's Design since I think she is probably the coolest thing Scott made, I love her so much. Great vid as always NotReal!

[@lordfenix17]

It was different. It took risks and changed the formula. I don’t hate sister location, it’s the first game past the core 4, and is old enough and quality enough to be accepted as part of a figurative big 5. When I think of classic FNaF sister location is right there, right on the tip of my tongue and in the back of my mind. It definitely expanded the lore into something different, it changed the core nights gameplay to be more unique, if harming it’s replayability. I think it’s a good game, it deserves acknowledgment and recognition as part of the franchise but it’s definitely not the best, but it sure ain’t the worst.

[@lordfenix17]

Side note Exotic Butters!

[@Groovylonglegs]

@@lordfenix17eggs Benedict

[@JosRocks410]

honestlythis video just made me more hyped for help wanted 2, hearing you talk about how good the characters are, & how they are better elsewhere like in HW, & as well as hearing you talk about what is wrong with the different sections in sister location, makes me really hyped for help wanted 2, as not only will we probably get to see most of the characters utilized in better & scarier ways fulfilling more of their potential, but also we will probably get to see better versions of pretty much every segment in help wanted 2, as they could all work as standalone minigames like help wanted has, & given their issues it's inevitable that they will not only be improved & made funner, but also that we will get to see newer ones that take fun spins on them, (maybe repair minigame with other characters?) Hopefully funtime foxy gets more screen time as they are my favorite, also lowkey hyped for the whole cast (especially funtime freddy & minireenas) to get horror content as they have amazing potential in my opinion

[@Way_2_Go_Superstar]

I always loved how the show Michael watches is called ‘The Immortal and the Restless’ because it feels like a bit of a sick joke. Like- that’s what the Afton family is. It’s a group of people, who, one by one, for better or worse, wether they like it or not, become *immortal* and *restless* .

[@azimuddin1890]

Circus Baby: There was one, then two, then three, then four…then five. Horrid Henry Danger Stickman: Finally, there was FIRE! Circus Baby: Third had fire. Horrid Henry Danger Stickman: But the fire is intentional…and we’re in it. Aubergine Man: Hey!, I just god roasted, at least kill me in a different way. Horrid Henry Danger Stickman: Alright, fine…uh…how about a massive anvil dropping from the sky? Aubergine Man: …you know what, I’ll stick with being roasted. Horrid Henry Danger Stickman: Should’ve been careful with your wish Willy. Aubergine Man: What? Horrid Henry Danger Stickman: Stupid green rabbit, you’re nothing but a maggot. You used to be so bulky, now you look so skinny. You look like a meatball, that was your downfall. You stinky, worse than Freddy. Oooooohhh Aubergine Man: …*grabs his old SpringBonzi plushy, and pours his agony into it* Circus Baby: *turns into ScrapBaby…then to ashes* The Poopet Man: Father, that was atrocious, I should’ve passed on. I thought this Lefty crap, I mean trap…no wait, it’s both, CrapTrap, not to be confused with the green rabbit.

[@itstheblandman8734]

Another day, another azimuddin comment to read, nice job!

[@azimuddin1890]

@@itstheblandman8734 Thank you so much.

[@itstheblandman8734]

@@azimuddin1890 👍

[@chaoticsilver8442]

0:37 "And how it likely is happening in preparation for the Sister Location Remake/Reimagining coming out soon." I feel that's a fairly small part of the picture, given that this started *well* before Help Wanted 2 was announced, with UhYeah's video almost a full year ago. At least, that's where I remember the conversation largely beginning and gaining popularity. There might've been something even earlier.

[@Cake2019_6]

SL was one of the best in my opinion, each night was unique in their own way, it actually changed something ingame than the already worn out "You sit 5 Nights here then you get a few extra nights for no real reason" but what i never liked is the fact that CC was completely unimportant -and that Fnaf 4 now has the Bite of 83 instead of the Bite of 87 but this hasn't to do with SL, it just has to do with Fnafs terrible Timeline-

[@scottroxford5715]

Completely unrelated but I wanted say that I just love your voice, between you and Civvie 11 I put your videos on to help me go to sleep, it took me so long to get through the second smooching tier list cause I would always fall asleep lol.

[@KittToonz]

Your videos have been fuelling my FNAF hyperfixation, I love them so much!

[@Frogchamp10]

I feel like if this game was fully 3D like security breach, the gameplay would have been much better and there would have been more opportunity to add more to the gameplay, just my opinion though (Also Funtime Freddy and ennard are some of the scariest animatronics in the series, change me mind) Edit: after watching more of the video I have been convinced to add ballora to that list

[@bob6813]

The way your Channel has grown is impressive and awesome.

[@PatTheFox]

I have sl as one of my favorite fnaf games. I belive it is unnerving to this day, the futuristic vibe reminds me of vaporwave which makes everything more terrifying,the deasigns are:I think fnaf noticed that an old teddy bear wont be enought scare material for any more than 4 games, so they went more creative which was very good for the series,and I love all the characters to this day. Also,it added voice acting. It was the game that got me into the lore,and to this day Im a theorist. Say what you want,I absolutly love sl and Im hyped for HW 2. Also,I think fnaf deasigns peaked with 2,and it still is kinda going very good! I do love the RUIN animatronics. I hope you can understand what I mean,SL is an important game for me so its hard to speak. Especially since Eanglish isn't my native laungage. Also, not to mention the custom night. It was amazing and still is one of my favorite fnaf expieriences,I often rewatch it on KZbin.

[@PatTheFox]

Yes,night 4 is awfull. I beated it on a telephone. I think it was attempt 10 The private room is named and shown in the extras menu. You can play the baby minigame in the extras menu aswell,by moving your mouse to one of the bottom corners. Not sure if it was from the start,but I'm 90% sure it was Yes,its hard to replay it. It wasn't necessarily a good game,Im just so close to it.

[@cosmicsam117]

I’m just gonna say this before I watch the full video; SL is my favorite FNAF game, it was one of the games I held the most interest in (though I love every other game with all my heart). I have no idea why. I just love it. Anyways, just wanted to say this, now I’m gonna actually watch the video. Lol

[@kudo151]

Love the video! I agree with a lot of your points, and also of the others in the comments lol. Also, side note, but at 9:23, that's not how hyperbole is pronounced. It's "hy-per-boh-lee", rather than "hyper-bowl". Sorry to be that person, I think the spirit of an English teacher is possessing me lol

[@mackenziereinhold9036]

In my mind, sister location was where FNAF stepped off track- not because of the sci-fi elements (horror and sci-fi can go together very well in my opinion) but because it was when the Aftons became the center of the universe, and I’m not just saying that because my favorite character got sidelined so hard he didn’t appear in the movie.

[@chibacityblues2003]

Great video! I think I land on pretty similar feelings to you! Sister Location was my favorite FNAF game at launch, and it might be still be! Firstly all the animatronic designs really clicked with me! I felt they were such a good elaboration of the Toy Aesthetics into something even more uncanny, plus they gave Scott the chance to do more scifi character designs, which is probably his biggest strength as an artist! And the plot was so exciting! The characterization of baby as a sympathetic villain was so interesting, and the twist that they wanted to use you as a shell was so fun and ghoulish, I was so excited for the future of the franchise! And Funtime Freddy’s performance honestly could have carried any game!… even Pizza sim. But looking back, the game play was pretty lacking, and while the plot was interesting, the story wasn’t well written. And introduced the cracks that have plagued FNAF for the next decade. But I think the thing that has soured me most on this game is knowing that none of it goes anywhere. Honestly if Pizza Sim didn’t have the Sister Location stuff and was more focused on The Puppet and Henry I think I would probably like it a lot. But seeing how they wasted both Baby and Ennard, made everything about William again, and gave Micheal zero characterization again after they already gave him a voice in here really stung. That game mixed with the Twisted ones… existing. Ultimately it lead me to lose interest in the franchise, I still love the concept and a lot of the fan games, but I haven’t picked up a main game since Pizza Sim which are still plaguing the franchise. And I think that’s why Sister Location is getting a worse revaluation. While it’s a good game and introduces interesting plot lines, it doesn’t provide any closure. It’s only a half the story. And unfortunately Pizza Sim finished it’s story. It started this cycle of ambitious games with really solid set ups builds hype, before the pay off game fumbles and leaves the fans even more disappointed than if the first game was bad to begin with. We saw it with SL and Pizza Sim, Help Wanted and Security Breach, and probably Ruin and whatever is going to follow it. So it makes sense it’s been getting a more critical examination. It promised a new chapter of great plot driven fnaf games that just… haven’t come. But, even still, Sister Location holds a special place in my heart. It was so bold and exciting, and had such great aesthetics I can’t help but adore it. And I hope we get a game which can finally live up to it’s promise. Also, I managed to finish Night 4 pre patch! And while I am very proud of that achievement, you were right to skip that night. It was not worth the pain…

[@LegitKelp]

You should do a smooching guide with every single fnaf book character

[@llewelynshingler2173]

Including William Afton's Man from Room 1280 form?

[@Bruhifying]

I feel like sister location getting all this hate randomly is because of a popular content creator (not saying names) who made a video on it and how the game was bad (or something idk I didn't watch the vid). It's weird because I can't tell if people are just going along with said popular content creator because they're popular or the content creator made good points on how fnaf sl is bad. Well, either way I personally love fnaf sl and No one can change that

[@notrealnamenotatall2476]

I think it's the same effect I mentioned in the video. Where going back and replaying doesn't have the same punch as the initial playthrough, but I do still love it too. I had a good time playing through it again!... And yes, I did skip night 4 again, lol.

[@Bruhifying]

​@@notrealnamenotatall2476Yeah it's probably just the game's replayability being... not great. And honestly, can't blame you for skipping night 4 again. It's just unreasonably hard.

[@buttercupjude135]

AN HOUR???? I appreciate you very much

[@BIRBdoctor]

so, im working on a remake fan made for sl and your video is really great! i think i may hit right th spot of stuff that needs to be changed for god, you´re my favorite youtuber, keep it up!

[@notrealnamenotatall2476]

Thank you so much! 8D Good luck with your remake! ^_^

[@HardDriveGuruOfficial]

I would love to see that Pizzeria Sim video you mentioned at the end!

[@bevbeans3166]

I just watched the whole video! I really enjoyed it, thank you for making it!

[@Mockingdragon]

I will say, the Baby monologue on night 3 is the only piece of horror that has ever given me a nightmare. The description of watching yourself do something you don't want to do, something you're repulsed by...is something I think a lot of people with mental illness deal with, including me (in my case, my temper). That alone is why this is my favorite game (of a series I've only watched and never played). This is also why I really dislike the notion that Baby was "pretending" the entire time and was just always evil forever. It's so much more interesting to think that she's honest both times, that she really has that side of her that loves children, and the side that kills them. The side that's willing to sacrifice you, and the side that feels sorry and guilty about it. There's no real proof either way for when she starts lying...so I just like to believe she's the more complex character.

[@Sparkling34]

it's a shame they gave us such intriguing characters than hardly flesh them and by the end of the story they are gone

[@xx29422]

on an unrelated note i need to tell you how happy i was when i saw you posted. and the little happy screech i did when i saw its nearly an hour long!🖤🖤

[@ShrapnelStars]

I remember a brief period before this game was fully revealed where I think Scott was teasing/trolling that it would be the first game in a new series, and while I wasn't disappointed that it ended up just being more FNaF, sometimes I think about how things might be different today if he had actually done that and let the hypothetical new IP be where he experimented more heavily with Sci-Fi. I was actually interested in that possibility. While I don't think it would have been anywhere near as popular as FNaF, it would have had stronger legs to stand on since people were now familiar with what he was capable of at that point. I don't have any strong feelings about SL, but I appreciate what it tried to do, and I do like the art, the voice acting, the music, and the characters. It was definitely needed for the point in time that it came about. It also added 2 more members to my favorite gremlin buddy collection: BonBon and Bonnette. Together with Plushtrap, they are the unholy trinity of lil fellas.

[@Audio_noodle]

I think I enjoyed sister location a lot more since I personally didn't play it, but watched it on stream when it came out and experienced people figuring out the secrets of it in real time. It was a pretty unique experience compared to other titles in that way, where most of the hunting was done within the first day. The atmosphere is also pretty well executed. Fnaf 1 is still the absolute king of atmosphere, but sister location manages to keep a pretty consistent feel especially on night 2 when you don't really know wtf is going on yet, I think it's in the top three with pizza sim and maybe help wanted in atmosphere, but help wanted is a bit of a more complex thing lol

[@porcelainchips6061]

Purple Theory - Perhaps Scott is a 'pants' writer (writes by the seat of their pants) and didn't plan this out until realizing how it fit in later, but I wonder if Purple being shared between two characters could serve a dual visual purpose; What if sharing purple is to create the same confusion in us as if does with characters in game? The mascots cannot tell the two Afton men apart, so maybe neither should we be able to tell? And second; what if purple has become representative of being drenched, or infected, with remnant? "He wont die" and "I always come back" might not be coincidences; perhaps both Aftons are so full of the ghost sweat at this point that they share a supernatural property; they can't die and perhaps... That's because they re-generate? In the SL cutscene, what if that is Mike vomiting Enard out, rejecting Enard from his body? When Mike falls onto the sidewalk, he lies there for a moment and then "rises" again. Perhaps that's showing that Mike died, but that he regenerates back into a "undead" state of existence? In Security Breach, we see Burntrap missing a lot of mascot chunks; but something fleshy/organic is growing over the endo frame like vines up a trellis.

[@SunnyjonesINC]

Omg an hour long video after I just got done binging your videos!? 🤩 yaaaay!

[@MontyMoleLoreMaster]

I guess Sister Location made Rick Roll canon in the FNAF lore.

[@thedarkdevil1661]

Kinda funny how, if you pay attention to the names Baby says in SL, Baby only ever says Ballora's name. (I only recently found this out) She never says Funtime Freddy, Foxy, or Circus Baby (all these get said by Ennard, in Baby's voice, in the scooping room), and she only calls handunit "your guide". Where as for Ballora "Ballora is right behind you", "Ballora doesn't like the scoping room", "Ballora never learns", implying she has a higher opinion of Ballora (enough to acknowledge her) than the rest, most likely a hateful/aggressive opinion of her, since she constantly seems to throw Ballora under the bus with her comments about her. I like to think the reason is because the funtimes represent the Afton family (Baby and Ballora are obvious, Freddy is the Crying Child, Foxy is Michael, and BonBon could be William), and since Elizabeth is a "Daddy's girl" who only cares for her "Daddy", then of course she'd have some kind of annoyance/hatred towards the animatronic embodiment of her mother.

[@Adventist9917]

The fact that Baby is so large enforces the idea that she's the Mimic for me.

[@neqativecreep8143]

“less like 9 and more like jimmy neutron” LMFAOOOO as someone who had a childhood obsession with 9 this really got me 😭😭