TL;DR:

Big improvement from SB. It's more fun and unique. But the newly introduced concepts/worldbuilding frustrates me massively.

Pros:

Genuinely amazing visuals

Unique gameplay mechanics (an upgrade from SB)

Linear path suits the map, and Steel Wool's game design, much better

Cassie is very well acted, most authentic FNAF protag so far

A fair bit darker/scarier than SB

Some cool secrets and fanservice

Evidently MUCH more polished and optimised than SB, nice QOL improvements as well

Cons:

Introduced multiple completely nonsensical concepts to the FNAF universe

Multiple bizarre "moments" that are never explained, only exist in an attempt to be cool or impactful

Very abrupt, weird ending(s)

Constant, pointless, loud "jumpscares" in the first half

Enemy designs are messy, probably a downgrade from SB

My full thoughts:

Seeing Ruin makes me think that Steel Wool absolutely loves the FNAF characters, but really doesn't want to make FNAF games. They want to make bright, badass, cinematic experiences. Freddy as a mech! Bonnie as a sentient glitch-virus! Vanny's mask as a portal to an AR matrix dimension! Of course Scott may have a huge part of this, but these concepts obviously fit the game design (and 3D engine) of Steel Wool, rather than what Scott was originally making. So, this isn't really what made FNAF unique, scary, popular. Though I know plenty of people love it.

Ruin is obviously an improved experience over Security Breach, mechanically, but I'm uncomfortable with all of these new additions to FNAF's worldbuilding. FNAF now effectively has made noclip canon... And the community's response is mostly "just don't think about it, the game is fun!" which is hard to accept when I fell in love with FNAF for its mysterious, paranormal, but fairly realistic world. Springtrap is the coolest concept I've ever seen in a video game. An iron maiden animatronic costume, punishing an unnamed serial killer that originally wore it to manipulate children. THAT is FNAF for me, and I don't see the current era of FNAF as an "evolution" of it. It's just a different series.

What I would LOVE to see, is a reboot of FNAF, from Steel Wool, that brings the series back to its grounded routes, focusing more on unique survival gameplay in creepy, unkempt, small locations. Steel Wool are incredible at visuals, and they have clearly improved in terms of gameplay. But what really brings these projects down for me is this borderline ridiculous form of storytelling. Unsatisfying lore, missed potential with interesting characters, throwaway moments that make no sense, censoring everything, constant plot twists and semi-retcons, etc. It's a huge ask and it'll never happen, but: Fix the world, the setting, the story... and I'm sure that the official FNAF games could please so many more people.

But I know plenty of people love how things are currently going, and the series just might not be for me to enjoy anymore. That's fine.

- Kane