Hello Neighbor: A directionless mystery
This game combines role-playing with suspenseful problem-solving elements. There is an added touch of horror and startling aspect that will keep you on edge throughout the game.
Hello Neighbor gameplay
RPG players who like a little bit of mystery and suspense while playing will need to give Hello Neighbor a try. Explore your neighbor’s house through an intriguing storyline.
Hello Neighbor puts you in a neighborhood after a mini cutscene, and you’ll begin solving mysteries right there. The controls are simple enough, but you would need to switch between actions to interact with objects. You won’t see automatic popped up options like most RPG mobile games so it can slow down gameplay.
There aren’t any tutorials or quests, so players need to figure everything out on their own. Depending on your playstyle preference, not knowing what you’re supposed to do can be intriguing or super annoying. The good thing is the endgame is quite linear, i.e. there is only one outcome. You won’t have to fear taking the wrong turns or missing alternative endings.
Hello Neighbor story
The game follows a kid named Nicky Roth. One day, he hears strange screams from his neighbor Aaron Peterson's house. Nicky decides to check it out and sees Mr. Peterson locking someone in the basement. Curious, Nicky sneaks in, finds the basement key, and discovers a weird maze down there. But there's no sign of the prisoner. Mr. Peterson catches Nicky, throws him in the basement, and that's when Act 2 begins.
Solving puzzles and facing nightmares
Nicky escapes the basement, only to find a big fence around Mr. Peterson's place. To get out, Nicky has to solve puzzles. If Mr. Peterson catches him before finishing, Nicky has nightmares about Mr. Peterson's past. These nightmares tell us that Mr. Peterson used to be happy until he lost his wife and daughter. In grief, he locked his son in the basement to protect him. You can learn more about this in the book Hello Neighbor: Missing Pieces and the prequel game Hello Neighbor: Hide and Seek.
Fast forward, Nicky is now an adult getting kicked out of his apartment. He goes back to his old family home, finding it in ruins. The neighborhood is messed up, and Nicky starts seeing a creepy shadow creature called "The Thing." Nicky explores Mr. Peterson's house, facing strange challenges tied to his past trauma.
Confronting fears
In a symbolic showdown, Nicky protects his younger self from "The Thing." After defeating it, Nicky finds Mr. Peterson trapped in a small house, unable to overcome his fears. The game closes with a touching scene, leaving players with a mix of closure and questions.
People can experience great suspense while playing. The story may seem a little confusing in the beginning as you’re provided with no directions. Once you’ve found momentum and complete the first act, things become incredibly dark. As you explore and unravel secrets, you’ll also unlock cutscenes and short movies that explain the story. Try to catch as many metaphors and hidden meanings in the game as you can.
You’ll run into a lot of surprises through the twists and turns of the story. The endgame might shock you and is quite worth all the head-scratching effort to get there. Though the effect may feel somewhat diminished due to how bright the game is.
When was Hello Neighbor released?
Hello Neighbor started as a test version from 2016 to 2017. The full game hit Windows and Xbox One on December 8, 2017. After that, it spread to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android on July 26, 2018.
Where can you run this program?
You can play this title on Android devices. Additionally, it is available on Apple products, the Nintendo Switch, Xbox 1, PS 4, and computers using a Windows OS.
Is there a better alternative?
Yes. This game offers a deeper sense of mystery, but that alone will not suffice in terms of RPG satisfaction. You can try similar games like Galaxy: Survivor or Dead by Daylight, which are built on the same concept.
Our take
If Doom 3 and Legend of Zelda were to have a poorly designed hybrid, it would be Hello Neighbor. The developers focused too much on the story and how it plays out, and they ignored the action portion of this game.
Should you download it?
Yes. If you like one-time adventures and dark, thrilling storyline, Hello Neighbor may just be the title you’ve been looking for.
