The action of the game takes place in a fast food restaurant called Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. The player assumes the role of a night watchman who is hired to monitor the restaurant during the night. However, things get scary as the restaurant's animatronic characters - Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy - start exhibiting strange behavior during the night shifts. It becomes clear that these dolls have a dark secret.
The player sits at a table in a room with limited resources and uses security cameras to track the movements of the animatronic characters around the restaurant. The goal of the game is to survive five consecutive nights (levels) without being attacked and killed by the animatronic dolls. The player must conserve electricity that powers the cameras, lights, and door lock to protect himself from attacks.
The game is also full of mysteries and hidden messages for the player to discover, and uncovering the truth about the events at the restaurant becomes a central part of the game. The game became known for its intense tension and suspense, which gave players a unique experience in the horror game genre.