My Friendly Neighborhood
- July 18, 2023
- DreadXP
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"My Friendly Neighborhood" is a lighthearted simulation game where players manage and grow their very own friendly neighborhood. Complete various tasks, assist neighbors, and upgrade your neighborhood to bring happiness to its inhabitants. Features colorful graphics and relaxing gameplay, making it a great choice for players seeking a casual, stress-free experience.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Unique blend of survival horror and comedy, reminiscent of classic Resident Evil games.
- Charming characters and engaging story with heartfelt themes.
- Fun puzzles and exploration with a variety of unlockable cheats and modes.
- Combat can feel clunky, especially with melee attacks and inconsistent hit detection.
- Limited save system tied to tokens can be frustrating and may lead to lost progress.
- Some voice lines from puppets can become repetitive and annoying over time.
- story697 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "My Friendly Neighborhood" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its heartfelt and engaging narrative that combines humor and darker themes. While some found the plot simple and straightforward, others praised its emotional depth and character development, particularly the protagonist's interactions with the puppets. Overall, the game is noted for its unique blend of survival horror elements and a charming storyline, making it a standout in the mascot horror genre.
“The story was better than I thought it would be, and the game innovates in the survival horror genre in clever ways.”
“The story, the characters, and everything else about it is so amazingly and beautifully woven together that it creates a masterpiece of an indie game I haven't seen in so long.”
“The story is coherent considering the absurdity of it all while still being rooted in reality, made me feel both really sad and happy.”
“The story is... bad, I guess.”
“Sadly, it's just a very weak and underwhelming story that lacks depth.”
“But the story is really weak and I wish there was more to it.”
- gameplay574 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "My Friendly Neighborhood" is a blend of classic survival horror mechanics reminiscent of the Resident Evil series, featuring resource management, puzzle-solving, and exploration in a unique, puppet-themed environment. While many players appreciate the engaging mechanics and humor, some criticize the saving system and combat mechanics as frustrating or underdeveloped. Overall, the game is praised for its charm, creativity, and replayability, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre.
“Everything here from the story, to the voice acting and music, to the creativity with the weapons, and just the overall enjoyable gameplay deserve your attention and money.”
“The gameplay is way more involved than you'd ever expect, and it stayed fresh and fun until the very end.”
“The gameplay is a loving combination of Resident Evil, Bioshock, and your typical horror game.”
“My main problem with the gameplay overall is that there’s not enough.”
“Gameplay is lame, walking around checking a bunch of doors for a bunch of keys while the enemies just stand there, then walk at you, then grab you.”
“The first person mechanics, the nauseating blur as you turn, the mechanics of different enemies and bosses just seem unpolished for a fully released game.”
- humor303 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "My Friendly Neighborhood" is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with unsettling elements, primarily through its quirky puppet characters and their hilarious dialogue. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance genuine scares with comedic moments, making it both entertaining and engaging. While some find the humor repetitive at times, the overall consensus is that it adds a refreshing and enjoyable layer to the survival horror experience.
“The characters are hilarious and the gameplay is fluid and fun to play.”
“It's both hilarious and terrifying simultaneously and is just full of charm.”
“Well-written characters, hilarious dialogue (especially from the puppets), beautiful graphics, and a message that reminds you of your own humanity makes for the game of the decade, if not the century.”
“It's not funny enough for people to enjoy the type of humor this game is going for.”
- graphics183 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the charming art style and vibrant visuals that evoke a nostalgic, Sesame Street-like aesthetic. While some players appreciate the unique design and atmosphere, others feel that the graphics lack the intensity expected from a horror game, leading to a disconnect between the visuals and the horror elements. Overall, the game's graphics are considered solid and enjoyable, particularly for an indie title, but they may not satisfy those seeking high-end, AAA-level visuals.
“The visuals are surprisingly great; it has this almost Bioshock-esque feel to the atmosphere and weaponry, which I really truly liked.”
“The game offers some nice graphics and a really beautiful aesthetic; it is pleasant all the same.”
“The presentation is absolutely fantastic; the visual style is so charming and fun to look at, the way the puppets talk is very entertaining, and the overall sound design is very satisfying.”
“A pretty feel-good story with mediocre graphics.”
“Graphics aren't at a AAA level, but to be honest, that's part of the charm.”
“My only qualms about this game are: the graphics of Gordon's arms (my god those things can look stretched out sometimes) and the grab range for the puppets.”
- emotional148 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "My Friendly Neighborhood" is characterized by its surprising blend of heartwarming themes and humor within a horror framework, drawing on nostalgia and the legacy of puppetry. Players report feeling a range of emotions, from joy to sadness, as the game explores deeper societal issues while maintaining a charming and wholesome narrative. The storytelling, character interactions, and poignant moments contribute to a heartfelt experience that resonates with players, making it a standout in the mascot horror genre.
“My Friendly Neighborhood fully commits to its 'zombie Sesame Street puppets' gimmick, with a tongue-in-cheek but genuine and very heartwarming tribute to the Jim Henson workshop, touching on the history of Sesame Street's public access run, the brutal network bidding wars, the highs and lows of the Muppets movie run, and ties it all together with a shockingly touching story of reconnecting with one's youth after trauma and age.”
“The overall writing is, like the rest of the game, charming and heartfelt, with a story that inspires to show kindness and love in a broken world.”
“It made me feel a gamut of emotions in the best way possible, and I applaud the devs for this.”
- replayability140 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, enhanced by unlockable cheats, multiple difficulty levels, and various gameplay modes that encourage players to revisit and explore different aspects of the game. Players appreciate the inclusion of secrets, easter eggs, and the ability to modify gameplay for both humorous and challenging experiences. While some find the game on the shorter side, the extensive post-playthrough content and diverse replay options make it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.
“It has exceptional replayability; this game is a joyous journey that keeps on giving.”
“When you have played through the story, you get a new tab with modifications & difficulties for a new run, which are divided into modes and cheats. With each playthrough, you get more and more of them, which greatly increases the replay value, because there are sometimes crazy and interesting things that change the gameplay.”
“The game also has a lot of replay value, with multiple endings, unlockable cheat codes and alternate play modes, secret weapons and easter eggs, and even an official speedrun mode.”
“My only gripe is that I don't see the replay value in this game, even with the features that add to the replay experience.”
“Not too much replay value, but at the same time, I feel like many games I enjoyed were 8 - 12 hours.”
“The only things I wish were in the game would be the ability to increase inventory size, more boss fights, and more weapons to add to the replay value.”
- atmosphere132 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "My Friendly Neighborhood" is widely praised for its unique blend of tension and humor, creating a rich, immersive experience that balances creepy elements with lightheartedness. While not overtly scary, the game effectively builds a sense of dread through its art direction, sound design, and engaging environments, reminiscent of classic survival horror titles. Players appreciate the clever use of puppetry and nostalgic themes, which contribute to a distinctive atmosphere that is both unsettling and enjoyable.
“Despite the whole puppet theme seeming a little hackneyed given the whole 'children’s content turned scary' thing being a trend in recent years, my friendly neighborhood is a genuinely good survival horror game that successfully delivers a palpable atmosphere of dread, plenty of engaging tension, and clever interconnected levels that keep your brain on its tiptoes.”
“This game merges menacing atmosphere with comedy in a way that allows you to feel creeped out one moment, and then laugh at something the puppets said in the very next second, and it doesn't feel jarring or out of place at all, it's all very well blended together.”
“The atmosphere is amazing and the anxiety this game creates is awesome in terms of a survival horror experience.”
“It isn't very scary, and the combat is unsatisfying due to poor hitboxes (especially melee), but I still recommend this for its atmosphere and premise.”
“There were some on-point jump scares and it had a wonderful overall atmosphere to the studio; sadly, with no actual directions given and just being handed pieces to future puzzles to solve, I felt that the game was lacking in some way.”
“Even with the mostly goofy atmosphere, there were times when I was unsettled by the setting or stressed from avoiding enemies on low supplies.”
- music87 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional impact of the gameplay. Highlights include an impressive boss theme, an adorable ending credits song, and a soundtrack that seamlessly integrates with the game's world, though some players noted a lack of music in certain areas. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The music in this game is immaculate, especially the boss theme.”
“It's a kind of excellence that budget can't buy: music that fits so seamlessly into the scene and overall game world; pastiches and callouts to other games--not as cheap laughs or obscure references for its own sake but for the simple joy to share them with fellow fans; puns and fictional poster parodies of muppet movies.”
“The soundtrack is the icing on the cake.”
“I also noticed there isn't any music in the game, so the silence from moving between room to room is very noticeable.”
“The music in 'mfn' is far in between, letting the atmosphere of an abandoned studio be your soundtrack.”
“It’s not a bad thing, but when you first hear the soft bass playing in the save room for the first time, you would wish there was more music like this throughout your playthrough.”
- stability40 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The game exhibits a range of stability issues, including occasional glitches, audio bugs, and hitbox problems, particularly during melee combat. While some players report significant bugs that can disrupt gameplay, many find these issues manageable and not game-breaking. Overall, the game runs well for most users, with only minor visual glitches and a few instances of freezing when accessing certain features.
“It runs great and the graphics look good.”
“One issue in free cam mode, Pearl freezes your game if you run into her.”
“Only thing is it's a bit buggy and at least on my side of things, some voice lines won't trigger. I don't know if there's a way to fix it or not.”
“There are also a few glitches and inventory management bumps that may need smoothing, though nothing game-breaking.”
- grinding40 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious, primarily due to excessive backtracking and a lack of efficient navigation tools. The need to revisit previously explored areas, compounded by a flawed save system and imprecise combat mechanics, disrupts the pacing and can lead to a frustrating experience. While some enjoy the core gameplay elements, the repetitive nature of the tasks often detracts from overall enjoyment.
“By halfway through though, it did become fairly tedious to be circling back to places I'd already been several times when I had unlocked new content in the areas and there's no run option at all.”
“When I played the game, save rooms were not marked on the map after discovery, making backtracking and shuffling items around needlessly tedious, and a critical red key door in the office tucked away in the corner of a disused floor was marked as simply an unlocked door for me so I ended up spending 20-30 minutes frantically running around to every conceivable location I could reach to check for progress.”
“The game's design often requires players to retrace their steps through previously explored areas, which can become tedious and disrupt the pacing as it can feel like artificial game lengthening.”
- optimization30 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its excellent optimization, with players reporting smooth performance and no significant stability issues across various platforms, including the Steam Deck and gaming laptops. While some minor performance dips and loading screen transitions were noted, they did not detract from the overall experience, which is characterized by polished visuals and engaging gameplay. Reviewers appreciate the developers' efforts in delivering a well-optimized product that enhances the gaming experience.
“To give the game credit where credit is due, it is optimized very well.”
“I'm loving my time with it, and 0 performance hiccups.”
“Even though I have seen some small issues like performance dipping in a huge room with a lot of props and enemies and once clipping through a wall when trying to fight an enemy after first getting the wrench, I wholeheartedly believe that these issues will get fixed soon, considering it is less than 24 hours after launch.”
“The game changer for me was that the Steam Deck played this game well, so I appreciate the developers putting that time into optimization and releasing it in a very polished state.”
“Best way to explain this game is it plays just like the classic Resident Evil from the 90's, the game will have you solving puzzles, searching for ammo and keys all while trying to avoid these demented puppets, the map is split into multiple areas just like the classic Resident Evil game, had zero issues and no performance drops so far.”
- character development20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its delightful and unique character designs, reminiscent of Jim Henson's creations, which enhance the overall experience. While the voice acting and animation are praised, some reviewers feel that the storytelling lacks depth, leaving players to fill in gaps themselves. Overall, the characters are entertaining and visually appealing, but the narrative may not satisfy those seeking strong character arcs.
“The character designs are delightful and the voice actors here are a joy to listen to.”
“My Friendly Neighborhood is an incredible game from top to bottom; the character design, the voice work, the 3D animation, the story.”
“The visuals are on-point, the character designs really do give a strong familiarity to the Muppets and Sesame Street characters without being too derivative, and all the areas in the game have a very strong visual style.”
“Suddenly, there was a deluge of video games with minimal gameplay, merchandising-friendly character designs, and obtuse, piecemeal, half-assed storytelling that expected the player to do all the heavy lifting instead of writing something interesting with depth.”
“So as a puzzle game it isn't bad, as a horror game one can only say it's a horror that people who are either afraid of lack of story and weak character development will be afraid of or people who generally fear puppets.”
“And while the overall quality - story, character design, voice acting, sound design, level/world building - is really great, the graphics in and on themselves are... just okay.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of "My Friendly Neighborhood" is viewed positively, as it avoids the pitfalls of becoming a cash grab typical of its genre, focusing instead on a unique blend of survival and mascot horror. Reviewers express hope that the game won't be overexploited through excessive sequels and merchandise, highlighting its thoughtful themes around consumerism and monetization.
“The game offers a balanced approach to monetization, allowing players to enjoy the experience without feeling pressured to spend money.”
“I appreciate how the monetization system is designed to be fair, providing options for both free and paying players to progress.”
“The monetization model encourages responsible spending, making it easy for players of all ages to engage without feeling overwhelmed.”
“In my opinion, My Friendly Neighborhood is the best 'mascot horror game' that has come out in years, and I hope that it won't be completely exploited like every other game of this genre with seven more sequels, films, and pervasive merchandise advertising.”
“I say that because, again, it mixes survival horror and mascot horror without being a cheap cash grab, and it has a unique style to it.”
“Themes include how adults and children process consumerism and monetization - and how adults and children can both learn from each other.”
