My Friendly Neighborhood

My Friendly Neighborhood is a first-person survival horror game, created by John and Evan Szymanski. The game is set in a TV studio once focused on creating broadcasts for children - after being forgotten for years, once adored puppets decide to return to the air by force. Though the game doesn't lack elements of horror and implements mechanics known from the Resident Evil series, it's nowhere near as violent as its inspirations.

Plot

Each TV show falls off over time, the same applying to "My Friendly Neighborhood" - a popular show for kids. The puppets starring in it, having lost their fame and status, are unceremoniously stashed in the backrooms. Many years later, the discontinued program unexpectedly reappears on television, its strangely disturbing form prompting the city authorties to investigate. Gordon, the studio janitor, is sent to the scene, forced to face the crazy toys.

Mechanics

My Friendly Neighborhood is a relaxed take on a horror game. The main character isn't taken aback by the puppets' weird behavior and can dispatch them rather efficiently.

The game features a wide roster of interesting weaponry, including a wrench, fake shotguns and miniguns, an alphabet gun and duct tape. Duct tape is requiring to put enemies down for good, as the toys tend to reanimate themselves as soon as we leave the room. Gordon's equipment space is limited and must be properly managed, as he has to hold ammo, grenades and healing items.

While exploring the studio we'll visit movie sets, playrooms, backstages and sewers. Crazy toys hide everywhere, jumping out of vents or shadows. While exploring, we'll often face environmental puzzles. Oftentimes we'll need to find right items, such as keys, move levers or correctly arrange letters.