That's not my Neighbor
" Charming adventure simulation with unique spooky art and engaging deduction but short campaign "
That's not my Neighbor Review
That's Not My Neighbor is a quirky horror-themed puzzle game reminiscent of Papers, Please, where players act as a doorman identifying doppelgangers among neighbors. The game features charming art and characters with a unique blend of cute and spooky elements. It offers multiple modes including Campaign, Arcade, Nightmare, and a DIY/custom neighbors mode, providing some replayability. Players appreciate the creative concept and enjoy the challenge, especially on harder difficulties like Nightmare mode. However, the campaign is noted as relatively short, often lasting just a few hours, with some wishing for more content and story depth. The game is praised for its price point and accessibility, making it a fun and casual experience for fans of deduction games. Some players mention technical issues such as crashes and bugs, as well as frustrations with small, hard-to-see differences between neighbors and dopplegangers. Overall, it is a charming, engaging, but somewhat limited game that appeals to a niche audience.
Highlights
Players particularly praise the game's unique and creative concept, combining horror and cute art styles.
The multiple game modes, including Campaign and challenging Nightmare mode, add variety and replay value.
The art design is frequently described as charming and fitting the game's quirky atmosphere.
The gameplay mechanics of spotting subtle differences and managing entries are engaging and thought-provoking.
Achievements and DIY/custom modes provide additional goals and creativity for players.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the short length of the campaign and limited overall content.
Players find some visual details, especially in the identification photos, too small or subtle, causing frustration.
The Steam version is seen as a watered-down experience compared to earlier versions, missing features like manual door controls.
Some players report technical issues such as game crashes and bugs.
The clown minigame and certain repetitive elements are viewed as tedious and detracting from the experience.
Pros
- • Unique blend of cute and spooky art style enhances the game's atmosphere effectively.
- • Multiple game modes including challenging Nightmare mode add variety and replayability.
- • Engaging gameplay mechanics that require careful observation and deduction skills.
- • Affordable price point makes it accessible and worth the purchase for casual players.
- • Creative concept inspired by Papers, Please but with a fresh, horror twist.
- • DIY/custom neighbors mode allows for player creativity and extended play.
- • Achievements system encourages replay and adds depth for completionists.
Cons
- • Campaign is relatively short and lacks depth, leaving players wanting more content.
- • Small differences in identification photos can be frustrating and hard to spot.
- • Steam version lacks some features from earlier versions, feeling watered down.
- • Repetitive gameplay elements and minigames can become tedious over time.
- • Technical issues including occasional crashes and bugs reported by players.
- • Some players find the game too easy outside of Nightmare mode.
- • Limited story and worldbuilding reduce player immersion and engagement.
Rating Criteria
It's 1955, and for unknown reasons, doppelgangers are more common than usual. Therefore, the Department of Doppelganger Detection (D.D.D.) has taken action. You are the doorman of an apartment complex, and you must decide whether to let in those who claim to be your neighbors.