What would happen if you took Sesame Street and Resident Evil and they all got into a fight? My Friendly Neighborhood [sic] is likely what you’d end up with, a game developed by brothers John and Evan Szymanski that takes the joy of childhood and gives it a dark twist.
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You play as Gordon J. O’Brian, a handyman. One day, the City Network Broadcasting Group’s abandoned building at 123 Sunrise Street suddenly powers up and begins broadcasting the long-cancelled puppet show My Friendly Neighborhood once again.
Just before clocking off for the day, you’re sent over as your final job to investigate what’s happening at the building, where you quickly discover that things are not quite right, the puppets have ‘captured’ the studio.
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You soon find yourself trapped on the studio lot with two objectives: disable the studio’s antenna and escape before the out-of-control fuzzballs catch you.
Although the game carries an unsettling tone, it’s far from pure horror, leaning more towards humour-fuelled chaos. It’s commendable that it manages to build tension and eerie vibes without relying on the usual blood and gore tropes.
Bedtime Story
The story is intriguing, gradually revealing itself through notes and dialogue that uncover a surprisingly heartfelt core message.
Gameplay feels reminiscent of Resident Evil in many ways, you’ll explore the studio, hunt for keys, and solve puzzles, all while managing a limited inventory and save system. Resource management and route planning are essential to making the most of what you have.
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It’s a first-person shooter at heart, with creatively themed pistols and shotguns used to subdue the puppets. However, to keep them down, you’ll need to tape them up; if you don’t, and you leave the room, they’ll respawn when you return.
This means you’ll need to think strategically about which enemies are worth taping to avoid wasting bullets or health, especially given the fair amount of backtracking involved as you unlock new areas.
Puzzle Player
Puzzles are plentiful but not overly difficult, helping to maintain the game’s pace and offering a welcome break from puppet combat. It’s worth noting that it’s not the longest game, you’ll likely reach the credits within five to six hours, making it ideal for a weekend playthrough.
Visually, the game is impressive on console. The cartoonish world is chunky and colourful, but it’s the puppets that steal the show, looking and moving like they’ve come straight out of Jim Henson’s workshop.
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The sound design is equally strong, with standout voice acting that’s delightfully eccentric given the nature of the characters. The soundtrack complements the experience well, with a few musical surprises tucked in for good measure.
My Friendly Neighborhood is a genuine surprise, offering a fresh take on survival horror. At its core, it’s a tribute to Resident Evil, but it also forges its own identity, resulting in a memorable title that could well be the beginning of something much bigger.
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