The main objective of fnaf games is to survive five nights at the restaurant. Each night, the player remains inside a small security office and monitors the building through a network of security cameras. The animatronic characters—Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy—move through the restaurant during the night. The player must carefully track their locations and use the available defenses to prevent them from reaching the office. One of the most important gameplay mechanics is the security camera system. Players can switch between different camera views to monitor hallways, rooms, and other areas of the restaurant. However, watching the cameras does not completely stop the animatronics, so players must constantly balance surveillance with other defensive actions.

The security office has doors and lights that can be controlled by the player. The doors can temporarily block animatronics from entering, while the lights allow players to check whether an animatronic is waiting just outside the office. These tools are limited by the restaurant's electrical power, creating an important resource-management element. Using too much power can leave the player vulnerable later in the night.