Neighbours from Hell

Neighbours from Hell, known in the United States as Neighbors from Hell, is a puzzle strategy game for Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Xbox, Nintendo DS, Android and iOS. In Europe, it was released for Windows on June 20, 2003, and the GameCube and Xbox on March 4, 2005. A PlayStation 2 version was also planned, but it was cancelled for unknown reasons. The game was released for Windows in the United States on September 22, 2003. On October 8, 2020, a remastered compilation of the first 2 games called Neighbours Back From Hell had been released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It features increased framerate and HD visuals.

For the animated series, see Neighbors from Hell. For the American Horror Story: Cult episode, see Neighbors from Hell (American Horror Story).
Neighbours from Hell
PAL region cover art for Microsoft Windows
Developer(s)JoWooD Vienna[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Michael Pacek
Gerhard E. Kodys
SeriesNeighbours from Hell 
EngineUnity
(remastered)
Platform(s)
ReleaseWindows
  • PAL: June 20, 2003
  • NA: September 22, 2003
GameCube & Xbox
  • PAL: March 4, 2005
Nintendo DS
  • EU: June 30, 2009
iOS & Android
  • WW: May 25, 2017
macOS
  • WW: June 22, 2017
Switch & PlayStation 4 & Xbox One
  • WW: October 8, 2020
Genre(s)Puzzle, strategy
Mode(s)Single-player

Plot

Woody is an average man who has a happy life, until his neighbor Mr. Rottweiler makes his life miserable. Woody decides to take full revenge on Mr. Rottweiler and calls up a TV crew, which produces the self-titled reality show that shows the neighbor's relations from worst sight.

Gameplay

In the game, the player plays as Woody, who creeps around the Rottweiler's house performing tricks upon the unsuspecting resident. Woody is the star of a new TV show with the same name, with cameras that track every move as the player sets traps such as sawing the chair, banana peels/soap on the floor, smeared paintings and messing with home equipment. The game's objectives are to create disarray, increase ratings, and win awards. Obstacles in the game include the watchful neighbour himself, also - his guard dog, and a parrot called Chilli, both of whom will try to alert the neighbour of Woody's presence. If Woody is caught by the Rottweiler, he is shown being brutally beaten and it is implied that Woody will be beaten to death. Then the episode is failed and player must restart the level.

Each level's goal is to play some crude tricks on your neighbor by using every item near the player's character. Each stage has 4 or 5 zones (not including the training stages). Woody must move from zone to zone, as well as hide under the bed and in wardrobe to avoid caught. The neighbor moves in the house by his own routine, which can be disrupted in different ways (such as call him to make him go downstairs) or he gets distracted automatically (for example, painting, washing clothes and so on). The game starts with only few rooms (the hall, bathroom, kitchen and the living room), but as the game progresses, more rooms are unlocked (in Season 2 is the balcony and bedroom, and in Season 3 is the basement and study), making the game more difficult.


Reception

The PC version received "average" reviews, while the GameCube and Xbox versions received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggeregation website Metacritic.[1][2][3]

Legacy

Ports and re-releases

The original Microsoft Windows version was digitally re-released on GOG.com with its sequel by JoWood on June 9, 2009.[17] It was released on Steam by Nordic Games on November 7, 2013 after successfully getting Greenlit by the community.[18][19]

A mobile port of the game was released worldwide by THQ Nordic for iOS and Android on May 25, 2017 on the App Store and Google Play, respectively.[20] A port for macOS was released on the App Store on June 22, 2017.[21]

Sequel
Main article: Neighbours from Hell 2: On Vacation

In 2004 a sequel was released, called Neighbours from Hell 2: On Vacation. In this game, instead of being in a house, the player travels to various locations around the world. This time the player must have their caution turned to the mom of the Neighbour as well, if they do not want to be caught.

Notes
  1. The iOS and Android releases were developed by Big Moon Entertainment.
  2. Android, iOS and macOS

References
  1. "Neighbors From Hell for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  2. "Neighbors from Hell for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  3. "Neighbours From Hell (xbx: 2005): Reviews". Metacritic. CNET. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  4. "Review: Neighbors from Hell". Computer Games Magazine. No. 158. theGlobe.com. January 2004. p. 76.
  5. Del Sol, Arcadian (January 2004). "Neighbors From Hell" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 234. Ziff Davis. p. 114. Archived from the original on January 13, 2004. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  6. Taylor, Martin (July 30, 2003). "Neighbours From Hell (PC)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  7. Colayco, Bob (September 23, 2003). "Neighbors From Hell Review (PC)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  8. Harker, Carla (October 23, 2003). "GameSpy: Neighbors From Hell (PC)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  9. Giacobbi, Kevin "BIFF" (August 13, 2003). "Neighbors from Hell - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 30, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  10. Blevins, Tal (October 1, 2003). "Neighbors from Hell Review (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  11. Dinowan (March 7, 2005). "Test: Un Voisin D'Enfer ! (NGC)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  12. Jihem (June 18, 2003). "Test: Un Voisin D'Enfer ! (PC)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  13. Dinowan (May 12, 2005). "Test: Un Voisin D'Enfer ! (Xbox)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  14. Saltzman, Marc (November 2003). "Neighbors From Hell". PC Gamer. Vol. 10 no. 11. Imagine Media. p. 126. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  15. Hudak, Chris (October 23, 2003). "'Neighbors From Hell' (PC) Review". X-Play. TechTV. Archived from the original on October 23, 2003. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  16. Saltzman, Marc (September 2, 2003). "Neighbors from Hell (PC)". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on March 30, 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  17. "New release: Neighbours From Hell Compilation". GOG.com. CD Projekt. 9 June 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  18. "Now Available on Steam - Neighbours from Hell Compilation, 25% off!". Steam. Valve Corporation. 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  19. Sykes, Tom (17 October 2013). "Steam Greenlight approves 37 more titles, including Ikaruga, TowerClimb, Steam Marines". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  20. Hodapp, Eli (May 30, 2017). "THQ Releases a Free 'Neighbours from Hell' Port on the App Store". TouchArcade. MacRumors.com, LLC. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  21. "Neighbors from Hell 1 and 2 out now on Mac App Store". THQ Nordic. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
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