Hello Neighbor Alpha 2
- October 15, 2019
- Dynamic Pixels
- 9h median play time
Hello Neighbor is a stealth horror game about sneaking into your neighbor's house to figure out what horrible secrets he's hiding in the basement. You play against an advanced AI that learns from your every move. Really enjoying climbing through that backyard window? Expect a bear trap there. Sneaking through the front door? There'll be cameras there soon. Trying to escape? The Neighbor will find …
Reviews
- The game is fun and nostalgic, bringing back memories for many players.
- The console commands add a unique and enjoyable element, allowing for creative gameplay.
- Overall, it's considered better than the full game, with a charming art style and engaging puzzles.
- The game is plagued with bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
- The AI can be frustratingly fast and sometimes behaves erratically.
- Many players find the game too short and easy, lacking the challenge of previous versions.
- graphics53 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Hello Neighbor" have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the new cartoonish art style introduced in Alpha 2, while others feel it detracts from the horror elements of the game. Some users noted significant improvements in graphics and effects compared to earlier versions, but there are complaints about glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end PCs. Overall, while the graphics are considered decent and nostalgic by some, there is a strong sentiment that the original art style was more fitting for the game's theme.
“It's really good and not that buggy, the graphics are stunning for an alpha.”
“This is one of the best versions of Hello Neighbor, the graphics are great and the gameplay is also great.”
“I really love the details and graphics for this game.”
“The graphics are going downhill with each version, the full version having the worst graphics.”
“It's just eye candy to me, this is the alpha where they changed the art style but somehow the full game looks way worse even though they have the exact same art style. I think the reason this looks so much better than the full release is because the way the atmosphere, shadows, and unique art style collide with each other in this version makes it look stunning; however, in the full release, they basically took the shadow bouncing off and changed the atmosphere completely.”
“They completely started a new look by changing the art style of the game since TinyBuild came aboard or something. I am not blaming anyone, but come on, why change the art style we all know and love?”
- story38 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The reviews reflect a mixed reception regarding the story aspect of the game. While some players appreciate the improved narrative and backstory compared to previous versions, others feel that the gameplay overshadows the story or that it lacks depth. Overall, the story is seen as a significant improvement, with some players rating it highly, while others dismiss it as unimportant or non-existent.
“Peak storytelling.”
“Everything is so well put together, the story is awesome, and the puzzles are brilliant.”
“The story is great in this game.”
“I chose to skip the story because I know that the full game ruined the mystery and I only care about the gameplay.”
“Hello Neighbor 2 had such a gut-wrenching story, but the game itself was disappointing.”
“This was the first version of the game to have somewhat of a story.”
- stability30 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is generally criticized for being quite buggy, with numerous glitches reported by users. However, many players find these bugs to be humorous and part of the game's charm, suggesting that the overall experience remains enjoyable despite the technical issues. Some versions are noted to be less buggy than others, but the consensus is that the game is still in an alpha state and not fully optimized.
“This is when the game peaked; it's not as buggy as Alpha 1, and the house isn't excessively large like in Alpha 3, 4, and Act 3.”
“It's really good and not that buggy; the graphics are stunning for an alpha.”
“Glitches, glitches, glitches.”
“The art style changed to a more cartoony abstract style which isn't fit for a horror game; the neighbor AI has a significant downgrade with a bunch of glitches.”
“The game is very buggy and unoptimized.”
- humor29 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding the glitches, quirky mechanics, and absurd situations to be hilariously entertaining. Many reviews highlight the comedic value of the game's bugs and the nostalgic charm of its earlier versions, often describing the experience as both funny and enjoyable. Overall, the game's blend of humor and chaos contributes significantly to its appeal, making it a source of laughter for many players.
“The toolbox in this game flies around and it's stupidly funny.”
“Puzzles are fun, the glitches are funny, and everything makes sense.”
“I love this game because it is fun, cool, scary, funny, and awesome.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for being fun, intriguing, and easy to learn, with a good mix of horror elements and exploration. While some players note issues like bugs and a lack of extensive settings, the game offers a variety of items and features that enhance the experience, contributing to its replayability. Overall, it is considered a short but enjoyable game that effectively captures its intended style.
“This game does have good, fun, intriguing gameplay and good features.”
“The gameplay is short but so sweet, it's easy to learn, you don't need a mega PC to run it and basically has infinite replayability.”
“Amazing game and fun gameplay, I would recommend it to my friends.”
“There aren't any settings to improve your gameplay (video settings, keyboard & mouse settings, etc).”
“The gameplay is short but so sweet; it's easy to learn, you don't need a mega PC to run it, and basically has infinite replayability.”
“The game is fun on its own, it is short, and gets the gameplay right.”
- music19 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the atmospheric guitar riffs and the overall fit with the game's tone, while others find it less effective compared to previous versions, describing it as repetitive or less scary. Many players enjoy the chase music and the unique sound design, although some note issues with sound effects and the timing of music cues during gameplay. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the experience for many players.
“The music in this game is beautiful; the guitar at the beginning perfectly fits the situation, however, the sound effects are a little janky.”
“One of the most iconic alphas in Hello Neighbor, not just for how old, but for its opening music.”
“Overall, I'd give it an 8/10 for its great replayability, amazing music, and a very unique art style that clashes well with the atmosphere and shadows.”
“It replaces the over-the-top loud music from alpha 1 and the pre-alpha with the repetitive guitar riff that would end up in the full game, and that YouTuber Pastra complained about.”
“The problem here is that it starts playing upon walking in, meaning that if you turn around and take a step back, it'll play the song twice.”
“Only thing I can recommend is that the neighbor is less aware of things, as if I even step onto the road, the music starts and he comes running towards me.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its high replayability, with users noting that it offers an engaging experience that can be enjoyed multiple times, particularly in multiplayer mode. Its relatively short length also contributes to its replay value, making it accessible for repeated playthroughs.
“Infinitely replayable in multiplayer.”
“Infinitely replayable.”
“Replayable and not too long.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players consistently express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it feels like a second job or life is necessary to keep up with the demands.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its blend of cartoony and realistic elements, creating a visually stunning experience, particularly in the alpha version. However, the full release is criticized for losing some of this charm due to changes in shadow effects and overall ambiance. Despite these issues, the unique art style and engaging music contribute to a memorable atmosphere, earning it a solid 8/10 for re-playability.
“While it introduces a cartoony atmosphere, it's still realistic and believable, which I like in a game.”
“Overall, I'd give it an 8/10 for its great replayability, amazing music, and a very unique art style that clashes well with the atmosphere and shadows.”
“The atmosphere of the basement in this build, as opposed to the final version, is distinctly unique.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a poignant connection between characters, particularly emphasizing the intimate and impactful moments shared, such as a middle-aged man expressing affection. This suggests a deep exploration of relationships and emotional bonds within the narrative.
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant bugs and lacks proper optimization, leading to a frustrating experience for players.
“The game is very buggy and unoptimized.”
“Performance issues make it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
“Frequent frame drops and crashes indicate a lack of proper optimization.”