Hello Neighbor review

Hello Neighbor is a stealth horror game published by tinyBuild in 2017 (though early builds were available already in 2015). The game became a success even before the release, due to its irrational style that attracted a large community of players. Now it has versions for most popular gaming platforms and two official sequels.

Graphics and Sound 6/10

Basically, it’s a first-person stealth adventure, where you’re seeing the action through the eye of your character – a boy who gets curious to investigate the mystery of the neighbor’s house.

The visual style of the game is intendedly rough and sloppy, contributing to the boy’s adventure ambience. As for the sounds, they are quite decent, especially its panorama, letting you know where the sound comes from. Of course, it takes a decent sound system or headphones.

Controls 7/10

Most 3D first-person games utilize similar control schemes, based on modern gamepad layout. It’s quite obvious with PS4 and Xbox versions: their gamepads are the industry defaults, and you will feel at ease with controls even when you play Hello Neighbor for the first time.

The same is on PC: keyboard-controlled FP games have their defaults, like controlling the camera with the mouse, moving your character with WASD buttons, interacting with objects with E button, and accessing inventory with numeric keys. Hello Neighbor isn’t the one to reinvent the wheel.

While it’s alright on most platforms, the game feels awkward on Nintendo Switch, with no benefits taken from Joy-Con ergonomics. So if you have any option, you better buy Hello Neighbor for any other platform.

Gameplay 9/10

So, you’re a boy playing ball on your street, and suddenly you see something strange and possibly terrible going on in your neighbor’s house. The neighbor isn’t a friendly type, so you have the worst suspicions. You try to steal in, to know what’s happening. But beware: the house is full of traps, and the neighbor himself is guarding it. Don’t let him catch you!

On your way, you can find various items that may turn out useful. There are also places you can use as shelters when the neighbor is inevitably approaching. But keep on searching for new ways: the AI is watching you and learning, and, when you try to enter the house again, it will be prepared.

The developers did a great job of recreating the most irrational thinking of a maniac, so don’t get surprised at anything. If you’re stuck, you can find the answer in videos by those who’s been through this episode before. The community is one of the greatest things about Hello Neighbor, not only talking game but creating fanart and fanfiction.

Lasting Appeal 6/10

After you solve a puzzle, it’s of no more interest. But it will take time to solve all the puzzles hidden in the neighbor’s house. We’d recommend avoiding video instructions unless you’re hopelessly stuck. Try being irrational. Try the most unexpected ways of interacting with items and the wildest guesses about the purpose of things.

Conclusion

It’s a cult already, and if you want to know the trends in modern gaming, or just to play a good unusual horror, install Hello Neighbor and enjoy. And don’t be surprised if after playing you feel like writing a backstory of the neighbor or filming a cosplay video.