When the Humble Idea Becomes the Most Daring: Neighbours From Hell

Think about video game concepts: You are a warrior fighting monsters, a soldier killing other soldiers, a cutesy mascot jumping around, sports, driving a vehicle, etc. When told like that it sounds reductive but even they end up fresh and even revolutionary in their presentation and execution, nevertheless a lot of video games uses familiar concepts do draw people in. This isn't a negative thing in itself, but video games can be truly out there when they want and allow me to be a bold here, I don't think there are no concepts that can't be turned into a good video game with good execution. Such as, making a TV show about ruining your bully neighbour's life!

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In Neighbours From Hell, you - Woody - take revenge from your very bad and mean neighbour - Rottweiler - by various antics, then broadcast it! That's really it, really! But this unusual but still humble idea not only results in a lighthearted and fun experience, it also still stands as the one of the last 2000's titles that didn't get absolutely swallowed by the Market God.
Gameplay wise this is a point adventure game, you collect items then apply items into other items. But you aren't solving a mystery here, you set up traps so that some slapstick hilarity ensures! But simply just doing jokes would be too easy, no, there is also a secondary goal. You need to them in correct order to make Rottweiler the most angry and reach the 100% rating. You can also try time limit for an additional challenge but thankfully it is left optional. With the parrot and dog to challenge you in the harder levels and more rooms in the house is involved, the game can make you think and plan for a while, while still being relaxing and care-free.

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With nice play dough looking graphics that is full of energy and character, low-key background music, decent slapstick humor that never feels disturbing or too mean; the game really gives you the feeling of watching a family comedy show after taking a nice shower. Even after playing it so many times, the jokes still gives me a chuckle sometimes and with just enough difficulty that you can feel good about your execution. The only thing you feel lacking is a real closure, that's because there is a second game.

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This time, you ruin your neighbour's vacation! Still the core gameplay but with extra spice and variety. Don't worry, he is still mean as ever and still deserves to target of your sweet revenge, now across the world with a very appropriate ending. Both of these games shouldn't take more than couple of hours together, just compact as these type of experience should be.
So, what's really daring about it? Now let's think for a second: Cartoony graphics, cheesy concept, short gameplay time. What word you associate all these in your head? "Indie", is it? Yes, the games just look like your creative indie project. But... it isn't. The games were released in 2004, by AA company. AA companies, as you might guess is not big and shiny as AAA companies but still has size and traditional company organization that wouldn't be called "independent" developer. 1990, these companies were everywhere. 90s were a friendly decade to be experimental, thanks to shareware distributions and the games not needing absurd budget allowed small and medium studios to thrive with niché titles. When the new millenia hit however, things changed...
Games started to get mainstream, truly big franchises started to emerge and the new technology hype was more than ever. Your game need to be biggest, most visceral, just being niche wasn't enough, at least publisher thought that way. Everything costed a lot of money and you needed a big publisher's approval more than ever, so that means just being niché wasn't enough, you gotta be on the grand area, aspire to be flagship. The hot idea was "Go big or go home". But in reality it was more like  "Go handheld, do shovelware or aspire for  a very dedicated fan base" or "Try to do the next dude with a gun game and hopefully you will get through."
And folks it was not pleasant. Especially after 2008 crisis, outside of handheld developers and some notable franchises, AA developers are all forced to go big and become a company with Big Titles or got swallowed. Until indie gaming and crowd funding rose, the wild creativity for the most part escaped the gaming scene.
Today we can have games where we can play as patrol guard or a piece of bread. When I look back at the Neighbours From Hell, I can see the same kind of spirit, a spirit of just being yourself and giving players the experience you want. This is why it still stands daring, even rebellious and ends up more memorable than a lot of try-to-be-big action games.
I recommend everyone to check this game out! It's just basic and short enough to be played by everyone, I played the first time when I was 10. You can find it on GOG, Steam, some corner of internet  or even on mobile for free! Not only you will have a good time, but you will also have the chance of take a peek at the AA culture of the past.