You know that saying, “Love thy neighbor”? Well that doesn’t apply here, especially when that neighbor is kidnapping your friends and trying to get you too! Secret Neighbor by developers Hologryph and Dynamic Pixels, and publisher tinyBuild GAMES is the new upcoming sequel to the thrilling Hello Neighbor. Except this time, not only do you play multiplayer with other gamers, but you can also become the game’s infamous villain. It’s going to take brains, communication, and many loose, throwable items to rescue your friend and escape this evil adult’s clutches.
The premise of the game is simple: Look for the many keys stashed around the house, use them to rescue your friend from the basement, don’t exceed the time limit, and don’t get caught. What’s not going to be easy is that one of the kids with you is actually the neighbor in disguise. You won’t know until they unmask themselves or when it’s already too late and you’ve been kidnapped yourself.
Fortunately, you do not have to play Hello Neighbor to understand this game, unless you want to go up against the first game’s cunning AI. With Secret Neighbor you will both team up and battle against other like-minded gamers such as yourself. At times, you might be paired with players that are new and, therefore, unfamiliar to the game’s mechanics. Other times you might have to cooperate or go against more advanced members; constantly testing your ability to adapt to different ways of playing.
With that being said, there are pros and cons to being an online multiplayer. It’s certainly interesting meeting new people, especially if they do not speak your language and you must find another way of communicating. Many of these other players just want to have fun, while others do seem to enjoy causing a bit of mayhem. This does occasionally get frustrating; however, you can leave the game at any time and find a new one. What is most irritating is when you are trying to find a quick game to play and there aren’t enough players to fill the game slots, or someone has forgot to hit the “ready” button and you are left waiting.
It is when you get that perfect group of strangers, or you and your friends have decided to all play together, when Secret Neighbor really shines. The feeling of camaraderie when everyone works together and the sensation of panic when you’re in the moment of fleeing for life is what truly makes this so fun to play.
What strategy will you go with? Will everyone split up to find the keys even faster, but be at risk of getting snatched up by the neighbor? Or will everyone chose to go back to back, with a couple of kids searching and the others acting as sentries? Whatever you and your group decide to go with, the most important factor to remember is to have fun with one another and don’t get caught.
Pros: Great way to bond with strangers online or with friends, quick to pick up and play, and thrilling.
Cons: Waiting around for other players to join, and not everyone online is nice.
Check Out the Secret Neighbor Christmas Alpha Trailer:
The Secret Neighbor Alpha runs from today until Jan 6. Everyone who signs-up at SecretNeighbor.com has a very high chance to get in. You can also wishlist the game on Steam.
Video games have always been a huge influence in my life and have definitely shaped me to who I am today . Some of my best memories growing up were the many adventures and stories I was able to experience and become immersed in. If my hands aren't either covered in clay, typing, editing, creating, or helping shoving food in my mouth, they would either be gripped to a controller, tapping away at the screen of my phone, or clicking away on my PC. I am always up for trying something new because why live just one life when you can live many.
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