Hello Neighbor

Rating: 3.9	Downloads: 50,000,000+
Category: Adventure	Offer by: tinyBuild

Created by The Fat Bat studio, Hello Neighbor is a stealth-focused escape room puzzle game that belongs to the indie horror-adventure genre. What makes it interesting is its unique premise: players must repeatedly break into their neighbor’s house during the night to steal items, all while avoiding the neighbor who is searching for them.

The gameplay experience is tense and atmospheric, featuring a dark visual style with occasional jumpscare moments. Players control an unseen character navigating procedurally generated levels, with Hello Neighbor’s constant threat and the satisfying feeling of outsmarting an adversary being the primary draws for players seeking a challenging puzzle game.

Gameplay and Features

• [Core Gameplay Loop]: Players take control of an unseen character moving through a dark house while collecting items. The goal is typically to steal three items without being caught by Hello Neighbor, repeating this process until reaching the final level. Players interact with the environment by breaking furniture, triggering mechanisms, solving puzzles, and using collected items creatively.
• [Visuals or Art Style]: The game employs a stark, minimalist black-and-white visual style with occasional red highlights during jump scares. The environment features a realistic yet slightly stylized design with detailed character models and atmospheric lighting that enhances the suspenseful tension.
• [Modes or Levels]: Hello Neighbor features a main single-player campaign spanning over 50 procedurally generated levels. This structure provides massive replayability. Each level offers unique room layouts and challenges, with unlockable special levels (often more difficult) providing fresh experiences.
• [Controls or Interface]: The game primarily uses intuitive keyboard controls, with WASD for movement and a mouse for aiming and clicking. The minimalist interface focuses solely on the gameplay experience, with a health bar and minimap displayed discreetly in the corner.
• [Customization or Power-ups]: While not featuring traditional RPG progression, players can collect various items like crowbars for breaking walls, flashlights for limited visibility, and distractions to lure enemies temporarily. These items provide different strategies for tackling levels.
• [Any Special Systems]: The game includes a “Speedrun” mode for experienced players, where the time taken to complete levels affects the number of items available. There’s also a co-op mode in some platform versions, allowing players to team up or race against each other while avoiding capture.

How to Play

Beginner’s Guide:

• Step 1: Install the game from your preferred platform (Steam, Epic Games Store, etc.). Launch the game and select your character (typically a default figure). Familiarize yourself with the basic controls: WASD for movement, left mouse click to interact/crouch, right mouse click to aim/sneak. Wait until nighttime.
• Step 2: Approach the house’s entrance. Enter through the front door, garage door, or basement window. Explore the dark house, breaking items like wooden chairs (using A key) if they obstruct paths or contain keys. Collect items by clicking on them. Be quiet – loud movements attract unwanted attention.
• Step 3: Locate and grab three items from different rooms. Exit the house through any accessible door before Hello Neighbor finds you. Avoid making noise or getting spotted to successfully complete the level. Repeat this process to unlock more levels and items.

Pro Tips:

• Move slowly and deliberately when starting – fast movement increases suspicion significantly.
• Use items strategically: Crowbars break walls for shortcuts or hidden paths, flashlights can blind guards temporarily, and noise-makers can lure threats away from vulnerable areas or towards decoys.
• In difficult levels, try finding alternative exits (like the basement window) instead of the main door. Sometimes hiding temporarily in a closet or under furniture can reset your suspicion timer.

Similar Games

Game Title	Why It’s Similar
Five Nights at Freddy’s	Shares a similar genre or mechanic. Known for fast-paced action and fun challenges involving managing animatronics.
Phasmophobia	Appeals to the same type of players. Offers unique levels and stylized graphics centered around paranormal investigation.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter	Popular among fans of Hello Neighbor. Has comparable gameplay with a focus on exploration and puzzle-solving in atmospheric environments.
Subnautica	Shares exploration elements and puzzle-based gameplay, though the themes differ significantly, offering a different but related experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Hello Neighbor keep coming back for me? Is there an AI flaw?

A: No, Hello Neighbor doesn’t “remember” you personally. The game uses procedural generation and a timer system. The neighbor returns because you haven’t collected the required three items within the time limit. This is intentional gameplay design to create tension and encourage quick thinking.

Q: Are all items in Hello Neighbor levels necessary to complete the game?

A: No, not all items are mandatory for progression. Hello Neighbor levels are designed with multiple paths and objectives. You’ll typically find 3-5 items per level. While finding all can offer minor benefits or unlock achievements, completing the core objective (3 items + escape) is sufficient to move forward.

Q: What happens if I get caught in Hello Neighbor during the final levels?

A: Getting caught isn’t a game over, but it significantly increases difficulty. You’ll lose progress (any items collected in that run are lost), earn fewer stars for completion, and your reputation with the neighbor worsens. The game becomes progressively harder, testing your stealth abilities further.

Q: Is Hello Neighbor suitable for young children or sensitive players?

A: Hello Neighbor has been rated for its horror elements, jump scares, and potentially frightening visuals (like the distorted neighbor’s face). While not extremely graphic with blood or gore, its suspense, sudden loud noises, and jump scares may be frightening for younger children or players with severe jump scare sensitivities.

Q: Can I customize my character or the house exterior in Hello Neighbor?

A: No, Hello Neighbor does not feature character customization or exterior home decoration options. The focus remains entirely on the first-person gameplay experience of infiltrating the house at night and evading the neighbor. This streamlined approach keeps the game focused and accessible, with minimal distractions.

Screenshots