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Martha is Dead: A Haunting Tale of Loss and Mystery Amid War

By
Petko
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Martha Is Dead - Front Picture
Martha Is Dead - Front Picture

Title: Martha Is Dead
Developer: LKA
Publisher: Wired Productions
Released: February 24, 2022
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Article Reading Time: 9 minutes

Fog Over Tuscany: A Quiet Life Amid War and Tragic Discovery at Dawn

The year is 1944. In addition to the threats of the Second World War, a thick morning fog falls on an otherwise sunny fictional Tuscan town. Apart from the occasional shell explosions heard from afar, the family of army general Erich lives a relatively quiet life in this locality. His wife Irene is a local seamstress, and his daughters – identical twins Giulia and Martha – have everything they can think of. The first mentioned (Giulia, whom you play as) is a keen photographer. So early in the morning, she rounds the photo traps at the nearby pond, hoping to take pictures of the animals that come to the pond to drink overnight. But what she discovers changes everything. The body of her sister Martha floats on the surface, which means only one thing. Martha is dead. Or is she?

A Different Breed of Horror

Although the game belongs to the genre of first-person survival horror, don’t expect bloody carnage like in Resident Evil or the kind of scares of which Outlast is the imaginary king of recent years. Italian studio LKA tries to go about it a little differently. This is seen in their first game 2016, The Town Of Light. In Martha, most of the story is presented as text. Your approximately six-hour gameplay experience will thus be mostly about constantly going somewhere and explaining specific events. Sometimes, you will have to call a funeral home, sometimes, you will have to bring flowers to your mother, and sometimes, you will have to find the grave of an unknown man in a rather large plot of land.

None of this is difficult. The task’s location on the map is always shown with a red cross. What is worse, however, is the path to the task. I want to keep the story private because that’s what I enjoyed most about the game. As an example, though, I cite the path to the lake, which you go to several times during the game. In daylight, the journey is incredibly tedious; mostly, nothing happens, so you just keep going and going as the birds sing. However, it gets pretty intense if you have to visit the lake at night. Of course, the journey is no shorter, and I have already mentioned that nothing scares you in the game. However, the atmosphere was really dark, and I felt like I was constantly being watched. There were several paths to choose from, and even though your direction doesn’t change the plot, you suddenly start wondering whether it would be better to take the shorter path to the left, past the strange cabin, or the longer but illuminated path to the right. So, the author’s efforts to make us feel really uncomfortable in the game were excellent, and I empathized with Giulia’s feelings. Or was it Martha?

The Lens of the Past: Photography as Storytelling

But it’s more than a tiresome journey from point A to point B. The main element of the whole game here is the period camera. Taking pictures of objects moves the story along, and the authors have done quite well with this mechanic. Accessories such as a tripod, flash, and notable films for taking pictures in the rain and dark are available.

And, of course, since there were no digital cameras during World War II like there are today, you have to develop your images in a dark room. The name “dark” doesn’t just mean it’s dark. In fact, you won’t feel very comfortable in the basement of the house where it’s located. But back to developing the photos themselves. It works here on the principle of a mini-game. You need to set everything up correctly and wait a certain amount of time for the process to be completed. However, the whole thing only takes a few seconds, so don’t worry about being stuck in the basement for tens of minutes. You can also liven up your passage through the game by wandering around and taking pictures of anything that comes to mind. Like a dead Martha. But is it Martha?

Aside from the shooting above and developing, the game offers plenty of little mechanics to liven it up. You’ll be divining from tarot cards, which, while an essential part of the story, don’t change the order in which you draw them. And in one of the side quests, for example, you help the guerrillas. You communicate with them via telegram using Morse code, and for someone who didn’t go to the camps, like me, that was the scariest thing about the whole game. The more remote locations of the plot can then be visited by bike. I strongly advise against this, though. I never thought I’d review a riding model in a horror game, but I just can’t do it here. I could get going, but the problem came with the first turn. Every attempt to turn was accompanied by camera jerks, and the driving itself was reminiscent of going downstairs. Moreover, the bike can only be used around the house and to visit the cemetery, about a minute’s walk away. However, remember me during your first tantrum if you decide to use the bike.

There are several side quests in Martha is Dead (such as the communication above with the partisans). Their fulfillment or non-fulfillment, however, does not change the plot. You’ll lose a few dozen minutes of gameplay and get different answers in conversations.

Technical Difficulties and Triumphs

Although I enjoyed the story, the technical state brings the whole game to its knees. Because this is an indie game that ten people worked on, the occasional sound dropping out or getting stuck on an obstacle could be forgiven. However, the developers have promised to make the game for the new generation of consoles, compared to the PC version, which some players needed more time to finish due to poor technical conditions, except not at all. Several times, I got stuck in a location where I had completed all the required tasks and couldn’t get any further. Sometimes, I got stuck in a texture that I fell through. Sometimes, the game froze, and only restarting from the last saved position helped. The crown of it all was the beginning of the game, which I had to repeat four times. After a few minutes, an error popped up, and I couldn’t continue. At first, I blamed it on my PlayStation, but nowadays, you can find hundreds of comments on the internet from players with similar problems. That applies to both new and old-generation consoles.

DualSense Delight and Visual Finesse

But not to just blame the developers. They’ve done an excellent job of using the DualSense controller. Adaptive triggers are now commonplace for most PS5 games. They add a great vibe to the gloomy atmosphere and gaming experience. The controller constantly alternates the vibration of its left and right sides, which is meant to simulate footsteps. It’s a little thing, but a nice touch. The graphics of the game, however, are good. Unreal Engine 4 adds to the so-called realism of the game. The shadows, the sunlight shining through the treetops, and the animation are all perfect for an indie game. The period music playing from the radio and the effects will sometimes give you goosebumps. Plus, if you choose the dubbing in the original Italian, you’ll immediately want to go to an Italian vineyard.

The Ethical Dilemma of Censorship

Although there were rumors the day before release that Martha would be censored for PlayStation consoles, there is an option to set up an uncensored version at the start of the game. If that doesn’t make you sick at the sight of skinning, flesh-eating worms, or partial nudity, I recommend turning this mode on.

Final word on Dead Martha

I’ll admit that Martha is Dead is pretty hard for me to rate. On the one hand, we have a roughly six-hour story full of madness, fear, and uncertainty. It’s a story that will leave you reeling from start to finish. On the other hand, we have a game that – while not explicitly broken – is riddled with technical issues that ultimately sink the overall experience. So, for us at Weplaygames, the dark atmosphere of an Italian village during the Second World War, backed by great audio, will not let you tear yourself away from the screen. But the great story is literally killed by the technical state of the game. Freezing, crashing, and many other problems will frustrate your gaming experience. That’s why the final verdict of this minor game is rather average.

Where to Buy Martha Is Dead

  1. Steam (PC): Available for $29.99. You can purchase the game directly from Martha Is Dead on Steam.
  2. GOG (PC): The game is also available for $29.99 and is DRM-free. Purchase it from Martha Is Dead on GOG.com .
  3. Epic Games Store (PC): Priced at $29.99. Find more details and purchase the game here on Epic Games Store.
  4. PlayStation Store (PS4/PS5): The game is available for $29.99, with discounts often available. You can buy it from the PlayStation Store , Martha Is Dead PS4™ & PS5™.
  5. Xbox Store: Martha Is Dead is available for $29.99 on the Xbox platform. Check it out on the Buy Martha Is Dead | Xbox.

Battling Skynet Again in Terminator: Resistance

By
Petko
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Terminator Resistance T-800 as We Know it
Terminator Resistance T-800 as We Know it

Title: Terminator: Resistance
Developer: Teyon
Publisher: Reef Entertainment
Released: November 15, 2019
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Article Reading Time: 10 minutes

Introduction to the Resistance

As we already know from the Terminator movie series, in one of the future wars, humanity will win over robots, and the shooter Terminator: Resistance will hint at how high the price we will pay for it is. Right at the beginning, I can say that it is worth giving it a chance if you are a fan of the famous movie prequel, which is enriched with a new look at the Resistance against Skynet and offers a pleasantly old-world, although not flawless action with a pinch of adventure. Go for it!

Nostalgia

Although the new game was released almost as soon as the feature-length Terminator: Dark Destiny, its theme harks back to the first two installments of the well-known Terminator saga and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Their memories will be right at home in the virtual adaptation. The game is connected to iconic films through authentic sets, familiar time-space loops, and some key characters, although it tells the story of the AI-dominated world in its own way. It all starts in Pasadena, California, hit by a wave of terror in 2028.

A Soldier’s Life in Skynet’s Shadow

The ruins of the once glittering skyscrapers are now commanded by T-800 terminators, accompanied by another tin cavalry sent to the city near Los Angeles to cleanse it of all things human by the autonomous network Skynet. The red eyes of the merciless robots are usually the last thing one looks into before death. But the game’s central character, Private Jacob Rivers of the US military’s Pacific Division, has been pleasantly surprised by fate and left alive for a critical mission. Rivers managed to fight off the steel monster raid, as did several other Resistance heroes led by the legendary John Connor. The survivors will attempt to defeat the AI in a decisive battle with the remaining military units in the Pasadena area. Despite the makeshift conditions, they managed to mobilize their forces relatively quickly. The Allies gather supplies, upgrade weapons, spy on Skynet, and, with the experience gained, enter new battles to disable the AI’s computing headquarters. They won’t be without the Rivers, as mentioned earlier, who is unexpectedly high on Skynet’s blacklist for elimination, and everything you do as him will affect the course and outcome of the story.

Terminator Resistance Skycrappers
Terminator: Resistance Skyccrappers ruins

Stealth and Combat: Survival in the Ruins

Terminator: Resistance starts cautiously and intimately. In fact, you just run through the ruins of Pasadena without directly confronting the enemy. However, even a glimpse of the typically red robot sensors gets your heart racing, and it beats like a race in the subsequent few stealth missions, where the dreaded Terminators pass you by a whisker. Since Rivers has been relatively unprepared for a direct confrontation with the T-800 for quite some time, any giveaway means death. The atmosphere of the game is quite unique, even more so if you equip the hero with special goggles for seeing through walls and give him a glimpse of several deadly enemies in range. But thanks to Rivers’ teachable nature, he begins to exploit Skynet’s technical weaknesses more and more effectively. By hacking various gates and portals, he not only makes his way through space through previously locked sectors and surprises enemies from ambush, but by reprogramming machine gun nests, he even sends them against each other. Soon, the time will come when he’ll start dispensing justice in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s style.

Exploring Tactical Diversity

When the slower style of play would have started to feel routine, the hero gets plasma weapons and suitably durable armor to his kit and becomes an even match for the tin monsters. Dark sci-fi suddenly turns into a brisk shooter, while the role of RPG elements is highlighted, opening up new gameplay possibilities. From time to time, Rivers is tasked with missions that don’t come without ingenious technical aids, such as advanced spy goggles for taking pictures of enemy troops. He’ll also often be breaking complex locks, hacking electronic devices, destroying booby traps, and, of course, continuing to hack into the Skynet network. Meanwhile, he could only do advanced activities while continuously improving his skills.

The hero increases his level with points gained by successfully completing main or optional missions. He also upgrades his weapons with self-built parts and makes explosives, healing, and support devices – in short, he is a handyman of all kinds. Through crafting and the experience system, Rivers gradually becomes a better soldier in the field and a more effective spy. What gameplay style he excels at is up to you, and what RPG elements you invest in is also up to you. Versatile characters are most valuable for each approach in the game, as the campaign regularly emphasizes both play styles.

The game environment is also prepared for a different concept of action. The creators have interspersed the relatively narrow corridor with many alternative paths, so despite the modest size, the map looks open and offers multiple options for getting to different places or overcoming obstacles.

Some options you won’t even notice at first, which you may regret later. For example, I spent several dozen minutes gathering materials for an explosive to blow up a wall at the following location. At the same time, a ventilation shaft leading to the exact location was hiding nearby. The game often gives you several options for traversing the map, with the more elegant options leading through more advanced activities (hacking, picking locks) and the less elegant ones through brutal action or rather tedious junk collecting. Often confrontation is inevitable, but unfortunately, the game picks its weaker moments in the duels due to its weaker technical design.

The Flawed Machinery of War

Skynet’s artificial intelligence isn’t as sharp in the game as on the silver screen, and fights with robotic units could have been more entertaining. The Terminators usually just loiter in their corridors and try to approach you through the air when confronted, naturally “tripping” over every obstacle in their path.

A Mixed Bag of Innovation and Obsolescence

Studio Tayon still needs to get the best out of Unreal Engine 4, which is also clearly visible in the graphics and physics, which have mistaken the time by a good ten years. Corresponding with the outdated image are the clumsy character movement animations, the lackluster weapon manifestation, or the unbelievably processed projectile materials. While reinforced concrete structures can be shot to death, no splinter can fly off wooden pallets.

Terminator Resistance: Eliminating T-800 as a Hobby
Terminator Resistance: Eliminating T-800 as a Hobby

The Legacy of the Resistance

Humanity’s fictional clash with the computer brain has become a pop culture phenomenon. It has been told through six science fiction films, countless book titles, and dozens of video games, the quality of which has fluctuated greatly over time. Terminator: Resistance is one of the better ones, though it is far from perfect.

Beyond the technical problems, the game is plagued by half-baked details resulting from a limited budget and poor creative decisions. One can have reservations, for example, about trading found objects, of which an absurdly large amount are lying around the map, and over time, there is practically nothing to spend the earned fortune on.

Some other RPG elements could be more problematic. For example, collecting materials to work at the ponk soon gets tiresome, as does picking locks, the mechanism of which follows no explainable logic, and the opening of each is de facto a work of chance. Also questionable is the story’s moral dilemmas and decision-making system, which branches into several alternative endings based on critical moments. However, your sub-decisions don’t have much visible influence on the course of the campaign, and the game will only calculate everything in the very finale when the consequences of your actions finally come into play. Despite some setbacks, the film’s gameplay brand has returned to a worthy form. The authentic setting has created an action shooter with an imaginative environment and a pleasantly variable campaign that allows you to make and act freely. And that great soundtrack with iconic themes by Brad Fiedel… No, Terminator: Resistance is not a licensing embarrassment but a gem that is new in some ways, but the roots are undeniable and come to the surface at every turn, and everything smacks of the 80s when the phenomenon started.

A Gem Amidst the Rubble

My conclusion is that a great atmosphere against crappy technology, ingeniously designed environments full of dumb monsters, and lots of good ideas but also bad ones make Terminator: Resistance, where we fight not only against Skynet not perfect but still one of the best games in the brand. For fans of this iconic brand, it’s a must-play that will make you feel right at home with the atmosphere. Hats off to the guys at Teyon!

Where to Buy Terminator Resistance

  1. Steam (PC): You can purchase Terminator: Resistance directly from Steam.
  2. Epic Games Store (PC): Find more details and purchase Terminator: Resistance here on Epic Games Store.
  3. PlayStation Store (PS4/PS5): The game is available for purchase and you can buy it from the PlayStation Store.
  4. Xbox Store: You can find Terminator: Resistance here on Xbox.

Lake: Meredith Weiss’s Quiet Journey in Providence Oaks

By
Petko
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Lake Feature Image
Lake Feature Image

Title: Lake
Developer: Gamious
Publisher: Whitethorn Games
Released: September 1, 2021
Platforms Available: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5

Meredith’s Escape

Have you ever considered leaving everything behind, going to the American countryside for a fortnight to try a different job and meet new people? That’s precisely what the main character of Lake, Meredith Weiss, did. A demanding job, an annoying boss, and an imminent burnout syndrome forced her to travel to her hometown of Providence Oaks in Oregon to take over the role of the local postmistress for her father, who had left to drink margaritas in sunny Florida.

Before I get into the review, I need to pass on the developers’ words and warn you that Lake is not the classic story-driven adventure game we know. The overwhelming story, the puzzles, the action… I wasn’t expecting any of that here, and I didn’t miss it. No murders, complex relationships, or life or death choices. The biggest problem with this small town is the construction of apartments at the expense of nature and the harmony of the surroundings. I would be lying if I said the game had no story. In fact, it does. So, if you come home from work every day angry and tired, make yourself comfortable, have a coffee, light a cigarette, transport yourself to the 1980s, and follow Meredith to a picturesque lake in the middle of the mountains. How her story unfolds over the next two weeks is up to you. The dialogue choices, which are the glitter on the diamond here, can change the storyline and allow you to reach a different ending. There are three of these in total.

A Window to Providence Oaks

But it’s not all about the conversations, which are brilliantly written, though admittedly a little chaotic at times. The main focus is delivering the mail. Your day always starts in the morning when you get in the van, turn on the local radio station, and hurrah to work to the sound of pop country. The number of deliveries, whether parcels or letters, increases over time. It doesn’t matter in what order or how long it takes to deliver your correspondence. The game offers complete freedom in this respect and the opportunity to explore the entire game map. It’s up to you how long the working day will take. I’ll admit that even I sometimes veered off the planned route just to check out the view from the dam or left my car at the edge of the forest and went to the beach to see the whole Lake in the palm of my hand. Unless it was raining. It’s a shame that the opportunity to explore the world is gone after all the deliveries are made.

Character Encounters and Dialogue Choices

If you accept an invitation for lunch or a walk during the morning delivery, there is usually an afternoon activity waiting for you on the same day. However, if you feel uncomfortable with someone offering you an afternoon activity, you’ll appreciate the option to decline the invitation. However, I would definitely not recommend this. Aside from the script and dubbing, all the characters are engaging in some way, though it may not seem so at first glance. Whether it’s the initially annoying cat woman Mildred or the odd hippie couple Mickey and June. At the end of the day, you usually have the choice of reading a book, watching TV, or working on your project. Well, start the van again in the morning. When I dropped my last letter in the mailbox on Friday, I was relieved to have my work week over. I was then unpleasantly surprised to learn that mail is delivered on Saturdays in America. In truth, I didn’t mind it so much and was even looking forward to chatting with old friends or people I had met only yesterday. The relationships I was able to make with all the characters in nearly seven hours of play took me back to the days of the first Life is Strange.

The Aesthetics of the ’80s

If you find the van ride tedious, you’ll appreciate the autopilot option. It will drive you to your desired location, but you must carry the heavy packages yourself. I’ve used this more than once. And that’s either because I wanted to enjoy the comic 3D graphics, which the authors did well. Despite the slightly outdated models, they managed to capture the environment of a quiet small town to the smallest detail. Or simply because I wanted to soak up the atmosphere of the eighties, which was always beaming at me. But if the autopilot doesn’t suit you, several fast travel points can be moved with a single click. Personally, though, I would recommend using both options sparingly. The vehicle controls are stiff, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the driving experience. Even if the character controls are of a good standard, I would only fault the sprinting. In fact, if you’re hoping that holding the shift key will put our protagonist into a run, you’d be mistaken. Her only response is a subtle increase in stride. You can’t blame the developers for that, though, as the intention is to emphasize to players that this is a calm, relaxing game.


What bothered me the most about the whole game were the stupid NPC characters that could stop in the middle of the road or block your door. Luckily, you only meet a few of them, though, as there’s not much activity in this quiet and sometimes dull town. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be. It doesn’t detract from the experience. The same goes for the graphics, where Xbox owners, in particular, complain about texture creep or flickering shadows. I only encountered the latter problem once on the PC version I reviewed. The great dubbing is worth mentioning, especially the character of Kay, our childhood best friend, played by Cassie Ewulu, known primarily to anime fans.

A Quiet Town’s Echo

If I ignore minor bugs like the fact that the brake lights don’t come on when braking, the dubious lip-sync (when the characters don’t open their mouths to the dub), or the repetitive soundtrack (which, by the way, you can complain to your local DJ about), I enjoyed everything. It must be taken into account that this is an indie title. Lake offers a rather unconventional experience that may only suit some. However, those who try the game will give me the benefit of the doubt that this is a good title.

Where to Buy Lake

1.  Steam (PC): Available for $19.99. You can purchase the game directly from Steam.
2.  Epic Games Store (PC): Also priced at $19.99. Find more details and purchase the game here on Epic Games Store.
3.  PlayStation Store (PS4/PS5): The game is available for purchase at $19.99. You can buy it from the PlayStation Store.
4.  Xbox Store: Lake is available for $19.99 on the Xbox platform. You can find it here on Xbox.

Gallery

Hello Neighbor 2: A Sequel’s Struggle with Ambition and Execution

By
Petko
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Hello Neighbor 2 - Front
Hello Neighbor 2 - Front

Title: Hello Neighbor 2
Developer: Eerie Guest
Publisher: tinyBuild
Released: December 6, 2022
Platforms Available: PlayStation, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, PC Game,
Platform Reviewed: Playstation 5

Expanding the Neighborhood: Quentin’s New Challenge

In the stealth puzzle horror game Hello Neighbor 2 from tinyBuild, you take on the role of investigative journalist Quentin as he tries to uncover the secrets of his neighbors. You’ll have to scour the homes of the other residents of the quaint town of Raven Brooks before shining a light on Mr. Peterson himself, the first game’s familiar antagonist. You’ll visit hunter and taxidermist Otto’s cozy log cabin, the giant mayor’s mansion, and the local baker Gerda.

Compared to its predecessor, Hello Neighbor 2 offers a more extensive and more varied game world. The first Hello Neighbor already boasted original graphics, largely retained in the sequel but have also been improved. The adventures of journalist Quentin can be enjoyed in a more colorful and generally more attractive graphic design. The creators’ creativity is then fully demonstrated in the detailed interior of the buildings, which also includes the puzzles themselves.

Enhanced Aesthetics, Overlooked Storytelling

While the game’s visuals have managed to move up a level, the story has yet to receive similar attention. Although the brand has introduced an original theme, the plot is still only told in hints in Hello Neighbor 2. The newly introduced characters of the inhabitants of Raven Brooks, the game only bothers to present them as villains to be shouldered. In doing so, the life stories of these remarkable characters could deepen Mr. Peterson’s intriguing lore. Unfortunately, the cutscenes don’t tell much about the character’s motivations. You’ll be left to fill in the gaps in the story, which, even after completing the game, at least in my case, are not closed. The developers have thus missed an opportunity to link new characters and puzzles (which currently function somewhat independently) through a tailored, full-fledged story that you won’t find in the game.

The genre identity of Hello Neighbor 2 is also debatable. The title is marketed as a stealth horror game, but you won’t be scared while playing it. Because of the overall flatness of the story, you ultimately won’t have any reason for the game’s negative characters to instill any sense of fear in you. Gerda, Otto, or Mr. Peterson himself function more as obstacles to slow you down in your puzzle-solving, but certainly not as characters whose presence will send chills down your spine.    

Puzzle Integration: A Step Forward in Intuitiveness

Hello Neighbor 2 has many puzzles. In each of the nine levels, you’re tasked with solving a few puzzles and getting a key to use in the following area. The leading role here is thus played by searching the corners of individual buildings, looking for parts of various mechanisms, following visual clues, and discovering the correct way to solve puzzles.

Suppose you prefer to avoid puzzle titles where you have to work out the right solution mainly by trial and error, which was partly the basis of the first game. In that case, you’ll probably like Hello Neighbor 2. In fact, the game offers a lot more nudges toward puzzle solving than its predecessor. The puzzles are more intuitive, and you’ll rarely find yourself needing help with how to proceed.

The correct order of the numerical code is indicated by the colored flags or a practically placed leaflet with a picture of a clock. When arranging the trophies on the shelf, you can rely on the photo next to them. What I enjoyed about Hello Neighbor 2, apart from the puzzles themselves, was their integration into the environment, where they are evenly placed so that you can explore almost every corner of the building or area while solving them.

As you solve the puzzles, you’ll be constantly watched by the residents of Raven Brooks, who won’t let a snooping journalist in their house get to you. Quentin has no way to defend himself and the only chance is to escape or hide in one of the hiding places located at each level. We got to know the artificial intelligence, which was able to learn from the player’s actions and then predict his actions in the first Hello Neighbor, and it worked well. Mr. Peterson gradually learned your routes, and as you moved through his house you’d find bear traps or strategically placed cameras that alerted him to your every move. The developers promised an AI upgrade in the sequel, with the characters simultaneously pursuing the player to be controlled by several advanced AIs.

AI Downgrade and Sluggish Movement

I don’t know where the mistake was made, but the AI in Hello Neighbor 2 needs to be improved. While it does happen that the AI will come after you, you’ll also encounter loose boards or a bell above a door in levels that will alert the AI. But you can get rid of it quickly – just sprint for a few seconds. Once you are far enough away from the AI (just a few metres), it will forget you even existed. For example, suppose you hide in one of the cupboards right under the nose of Otto the Hunter. In that case, his rage will immediately be replaced by an obnoxious “hmm,” and he’ll look for you at the other end of the house.

Hello Neighbor 2 - House of Events
Hello Neighbor 2 – House of Events

Unfortunately, apart from the AI, the controls have not seen any major improvements, as they are incredibly cumbersome in Hello Neighbor 2. A simple jump onto a ledge sometimes becomes a superhuman task that takes several attempts. Moreover, the game never gives you exact limits on where you can move and where your character can jump over obstacles.

Lost Potential: Fumbling on Familiar Grounds

As if the unpolished controls weren’t enough, I encountered countless bugs and lag in Hello Neighbor 2 that sometimes made the title unplayable. At one point, mis-loaded textures made it impossible to solve a puzzle. Five years after the release of the first Hello Neighbor, the creators at tinyBuild had the opportunity to capitalize on all the feedback and turn it into a great sequel. But we didn’t get to see that.

At the moment, you can already purchase Hello Neighbor 2 at a still relatively exorbitant price, or if you have a PlayStation Plus subscription so of the monthly games, the price also does not hide the fact that the creators most likely released the game mainly with the vision of high earnings. Unfortunately, Hello Neighbor 2’s technical incompleteness, awkward controls, virtually non-existent story, and underdeveloped AI overshadowed the good things about the game, which are the imaginative concept and visuals or the well-designed puzzles. A decent disappointment…

Hello Neighbor 2 - The Chase
Hello Neighbor 2 – The Chase

Where to Buy Hello Neighbor 2

You can purchase “Hello Neighbor 2” from various platforms for youe preferred gaming system:

  • Steam (PC): Hello Neighbor 2 is available on Steam for $39.99. The game, developed and published by Eerie Guest and tinyBuild, offers features like single-player mode and Steam Achievements. You can check it out and purchase it here on Steam.
  • Epic Games Store (PC): Also priced at $19.99 during a sale (regularly $39.99), available on the Epic Games Store. This version includes features like achievements and a self-refundable purchase option. Find more details and purchase the game here on Epic Games Store.
  • Xbox: On the Xbox platform, Hello Neighbor 2 costs $39.99 and is available with features such as Xbox Play Anywhere, Cloud-enabled, and optimized for Xbox Series X|S. Check it out here on Xbox.
  • PlayStation Store (PS4 and PS5): The PlayStation Store offers different editions of Hello Neighbor 2, including the Deluxe Edition, which offers additional content at higher prices. Visit the PlayStation Store to purchase or learn more. The Deluxe Edition is available for $39.99 on PlayStation.

Hello Neighbor: A Horror Puzzle Wrapped in Frustration

By
Petko
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Hello Neighbor Front
Hello Neighbor Front

Title: Hello Neighbor
Developer: Dynamic Pixels
Publisher: tinyBuild
Released: December 8, 2017
Platforms Available: PC Game, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS Game, Android Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Article Reading Time: 8 minutes

After Little Nightmares, I rethought my opinion about horror hopping and puzzle games in which the main character escapes from psychopathic enemies. In this genre, the game has to be flawlessly crafted and have a dense atmosphere. Otherwise, by its very nature, it has nothing to offer. Hello Neighbor’s graphical styling is so attractive that it could be another excellent addition to the genre’s roster.

Hello Neighbor Encounter

First Steps into Hello Neighbor

It starts innocently enough. The protagonist is a little boy who trips over a ball to his neighbors on a crowded street. All this while strange noises emanate from the Neighbor’s house. Curiosity gets the better of him, so he tries to peek inside. Something is going on, and all roads clearly lead to the basement. That’s when the mustachioed Neighbor shows up and kicks you off the property. The three-act game of trespassing begins.

The Whimsy and Woes of Visuals and Sound

Hello Neighbor’s graphics and sound design attempt to set a whimsical yet eerie tone reminiscent of a child’s distorted nightmare. The game leverages a bright, cartoonish art style that contrasts sharply with the sinister undertones of the gameplay. This visual approach, combined with the ambient sounds and sudden audio cues, is meant to amplify the tension. However, the effectiveness of these elements varies, with some players finding them immersive and others feeling they detract from the overall experience.

From Playful Puzzles to Frustrating Failures

It’s pretty amusing that the authors decided to split the already relatively small game into three even smaller units, which are still about the same thing: getting into the cellar. Starting from the first act, which still seems somewhat believable, the play falls into a powerful abstraction and unremitting frustration in the following ones. The Neighbor’s house is growing, complicating the player’s path to the basement. Since there is nothing in the game to navigate by in any substantial way (other than one’s own memory), the biggest problem becomes returning to where you came from after solving the (not very) logical puzzles.

Intelligent Antagonism or Erratic Engagement?

One significant challenge in Hello Neighbor is the erratic behavior of the AI. While the developers boast about the Neighbor’s intelligence, which is capable of setting traps based on your previous actions, this often results in gameplay that could be more manageable. Players have reported that the Neighbor’s AI can be overly aggressive and oddly oblivious, leading to inconsistent and sometimes frustrating encounters. This inconsistency, combined with the game’s technical issues like bugs and unresponsive controls, can make the gameplay experience feel more like a chore than a thrilling challenge.

I found the paths to the end of the act unintuitive, to say the least, and even resorted to internet help to preserve the rest of my sanity as the time spent on the mind-numbingly stupid puzzles became unbearable. I say this not just because of my own ineptitude but also because of the bugginess. When you have an aggressive neighbor breathing down your neck, and you can’t pull a lever or turn a tap despite frantic pounding on the remote, it’s infuriating.

Neighbor Triggered on Higher Difficulties

Yet escaping from your Neighbor is the most crucial thing in this horror game. The creators have boasted about how intelligent the Neighbor is and how he can react to your behavior with traps and snares to complicate your path to your desired destination. Only part of this is true. The Neighbor likes to be actively involved in the action on higher difficulties. While the player can’t develop any meaningful insight into how the Neighbor operates, he is fine in your case. The chances of mapping his movements are thus close to zero, and you’ll probably get caught out when trying to stage how he moves. If this happens, the Neighbor will learn from his mistakes and your behavior and adapt. There’s nothing worse than a bear trap that foils an otherwise flawless plan. The game returns to the beginning of the level the moment the poor kid is captured by the Neighbor, and you’re off again.

Unfortunately, The silly thing is that the Neighbor often creates stalemates by actively engaging in the game. In fact, if he’s going to bypass your respawn point, and the player won’t even be able to get further into the level, this is an absolutely fundamental design flaw, in my opinion. It’s frustrating and, more importantly, makes it impossible to play. Another interesting feature is the strange interludes that can occur when starting a new act or when the game restarts after an unfortunate capture by a neighbor. The interludes look like normal levels, only smaller. While they again feel original, they are just as absurd as the rest of the game.

The Neighbor behaves completely erratically throughout the game. While cupboards are scattered around the premises to hide in and wait out the hot moments ahead of time, they’re rarely of any real help. Yet it would take so little to make Hello Neighbor a fun game that rewards players for patience, skill, and planning. 

The Promise and Pitfalls of Hello Neighbor

Whenever I write a review of a not-so-good game, I feel terrible for doing the developers wrong. They went into trouble to make something nice. Even with repeated playthroughs and gleaned knowledge, I can’t find an overriding positive about the game. That is, aside from the rather nice stylization, which invited a much more expansive game in a sufficiently varied environment. Like Little Nightmares, it would have benefited from smarter level design, even at the cost of the absence of puzzles, the solutions to which are sometimes almost silly. In fact, if we had just taken the original concept and put it into a scripted world where a little boy is trying to uncover the big secret, it might have turned out a lot better. It’s not for nothing that they say there’s power in simplicity.

So my verdict is that in an appealing package with an interesting concept of the whole work, there is, unfortunately, just a good dose of frustration and a poorly made game. Unfortunately, for a good horror adventure game, you have to look further. Or do developers fix the problems in the sequel Hello Neighbor 2?

Where to Buy Hello Neighbor Game

  1. Steam (PC): Available on Steam for $29.99. The game on Steam offers features like single-player mode, Steam Achievements, and Steam Trading Cards. You can find more details and purchase the game here on Steam.
  2. Epic Games Store (PC): Also priced at $29.99 on the Epic Games Store, where you can earn rewards and potentially get a refund if you’re not satisfied. Explore purchasing options on the Epic Games Store.
  3. Xbox: “Hello Neighbor” costs $29.99 on the Xbox platform and features 4K Ultra HD and Xbox Play Anywhere. Check it out here on Xbox.
  4. PlayStation Store (PS4): It also retails for $29.99 on PlayStation, with a bundle version available at a higher price. Visit the PlayStation Store to purchase or learn more.
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