Neighbours from Hell#Legacy
{{short description|2003 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}{{for multi|the animated series|Neighbors from Hell|the American Horror Story: Cult episode|Neighbors from Hell (American Horror Story)}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Neighbours from Hell
| image = Neighbors from Hell Coverart.png
| caption = Windows PAL region cover art
| developer = JoWooD Vienna
Big Moon Entertainment (iOS, Android)
Farbworks (Back from Hell compilation)
| publisher = {{Video game release|EU|JoWooD Productions|NA|Encore Software|WW|THQ Nordic{{efn|Android, iOS, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and Back from Hell}}}}
| platforms = {{cslist|Windows|GameCube|Xbox|Nintendo DS|Android|iOS|macOS|Nintendo Switch|PlayStation 4|Xbox One}}
| released = Windows
{{vgrelease|PAL|June 20, 2003|NA|September 22, 2003}}GameCube & Xbox
{{vgrelease|PAL|March 4, 2005}}Nintendo DS
{{vgrelease|EU|June 30, 2009}}iOS, Android
{{vgrelease|WW|May 25, 2017}}macOS
{{vgrelease|WW|June 22, 2017}}Switch, PS4, Xbox One
{{vgrelease|WW|October 8, 2020}}
| engine = Unity (remastered)
| modes = Single-player
| director = Michael Paeck
| producer = Michael Paeck
Jurie Horneman
| designer = Michael Paeck
Gerhard E. Kodys
| programmer = Andreas Meissl
Bernhard Gruber
| artist = Stefan M. Halegger
| writer = Gerhard E. Kodys
| composer = Wolfgang Tockner
Robbie Ost
}}
Neighbours from Hell{{efn|German: Böse Nachbarn, lit. 'Evil Neighbours'. Known in the United States as Neighbors from Hell}} is a puzzle strategy game developed and published by JoWood Productions. It was originally released for Windows in 2003, with later releases for GameCube, Xbox, Nintendo DS, Android and iOS.
A remastered compilation of the first two games titled Neighbours Back from Hell was released on Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android and iOS by THQ Nordic in October 2020. It features increased frame rate and HD visuals.
Gameplay
In Neighbours from Hell, the player takes control of Woody, an average man who seeks revenge on his neighbour Mr. Rottweiler by performing tricks on him, all of which is secretly caught on camera for a reality TV show of the same name. In each level, the aim is to complete a set amount of pranks on Rottweiler, whilst keep out of sight of him; if Rottweiler spots and catches Woody, the level ends in failure and the player must restart it. The game itself sees players moving between various rooms in the house, such as the kitchen and hallway, via their doors, with levels grouped into "seasons"; as the player progresses to new seasons, the player gains access to more rooms with more challenging prank puzzles to complete.
In order to prank Rottweiler, the player must interact with objects, some of which Woody will sabotage, while others require him to find items that are appropriate for the object (i.e. using a saw to sabotage a chair). While moving around the house, players must observe the routine that Rottweiler undertakes between various objects in the level and the path he uses, in order to plan how to avoid being seen and when to set up a prank. His routine can be disrupted in different ways; two of these involve his pets, a parrot and a guard dog, which will make noise if Woody fails to sneak around them and cause Rottweiler to check on them. To hide out of sight, players can make use of a wardrobe, and later slip under a bed to avoid being seen by Rottweiler.
Once a level's required number of pranks is completed, the player can continue to complete any additional pranks available, and eventually they must finish the level by bringing Woody to the neighbour's front door, whereupon they are scored on their performance.
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.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| NGC = true
| PC = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| MC_NGC = 41/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/neighbors-from-hell/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube|title=Neighbors From Hell for GameCube Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| MC_XBOX = 49/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/neighborsfromhell|title=Neighbours From Hell (xbx: 2005): Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CNET|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913102810/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/neighborsfromhell|archive-date=September 13, 2008|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| CGM_PC = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|title=Review: Neighbors from Hell|magazine=Computer Games Magazine|publisher=theGlobe.com|issue=158|date=January 2004|page=76}}
| CGW_PC = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Del Sol|first=Arcadian|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_234.pdf|title=Neighbors From Hell|magazine=Computer Gaming World|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=234|date=January 2004|page=114|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040113101234/http://www.computergaming.com/article2/0,4364,1396253,00.asp|archive-date=January 13, 2004|url-status=live|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| EuroG_PC = 6/10{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Martin|date=July 30, 2003|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_neighboursfromhell_pc|title=Neighbours From Hell (PC)|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| GSpot_PC = 6.7/10{{cite web|last=Colayco|first=Bob|date=September 23, 2003|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/neighbors-from-hell-review/1900-6075608/|title=Neighbors From Hell Review (PC)|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| GSpy_PC = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last=Harker|first=Carla|date=October 23, 2003|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/neighbors-from-hell/6298p1.html|title=GameSpy: Neighbors From Hell (PC)|website=GameSpy|publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| IGN_PC = 7/10{{cite web|last=Blevins|first=Tal|date=October 1, 2003|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/02/neighbors-from-hell-review|title=Neighbors from Hell Review (PC)|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| JXV_NGC = 11/20{{cite web|author=Dinowan|date=March 7, 2005|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00005144_test.htm|title=Test: Un Voisin D'Enfer! (NGC)|language=French|website=Jeuxvideo.com|publisher=Webedia|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| PCGUS_PC = 70%{{cite magazine|last=Saltzman|first=Marc|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/neighbors_from.html|title=Neighbors From Hell|magazine=PC Gamer|publisher=Imagine Media|volume=10|issue=11|date=November 2003|page=126|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315142254/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/neighbors_from.html|archive-date=March 15, 2006|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| XPlay_PC = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|last=Hudak|first=Chris|date=October 23, 2003|url=http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3549000,00.html|title='Neighbors From Hell' (PC) Review|website=X-Play|publisher=TechTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031023210119/http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3549000,00.html|archive-date=October 23, 2003|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
| rev1 = Cube
| rev1_NGC = 8.2/10{{cite magazine|author=Martin|date=April 2005|url=https://archive.org/details/cube-43/page/n69/mode/2up?q=|title=Neighbours from Hell|issue=43|magazine=Cube|pages=70–71|access-date=July 19, 2021}}
| rev2 = The Cincinnati Enquirer
| rev2_PC = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news|last=Saltzman|first=Marc|date=September 2, 2003|url=http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/090203_nfh.html|title=Neighbors from Hell (PC)|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060330175729/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/090203_nfh.html|archive-date=March 30, 2006|access-date=April 24, 2020}}
}}
The PC version received "average" reviews, while the GameCube and Xbox versions received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.
{{clear}}
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.{{cite web |title=New release: Neighbours From Hell Compilation |url=https://www.gog.com/news/new_release_neighbours_from_hell_compilation |website=GOG.com |publisher=CD Projekt |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714062803/https://www.gog.com/news/new_release_neighbours_from_hell_compilation |archive-date=14 July 2018 |date=9 June 2009 |url-status=live}} It was released on Steam by Nordic Games on November 7, 2013 after successfully getting Greenlit by the community.{{cite web |title=Now Available on Steam - Neighbours from Hell Compilation, 25% off! |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/11808/ |website=Steam |publisher=Valve Corporation |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109233802/http://store.steampowered.com/news/11808 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |date=7 November 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Sykes |first1=Tom |title=Steam Greenlight approves 37 more titles, including Ikaruga, TowerClimb, Steam Marines |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/steam-greenlight-approves-37-more-titles-including-ikaruga-towerclimb-steam-marines/ |magazine=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017101759/http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/10/17/steam-greenlight-approves-37-more-titles-including-ikaruga-towerclimb-steam-marines/ |archive-date=17 October 2013 |date=17 October 2013}}
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.{{cite web|last=Hodapp|first=Eli|date=May 30, 2017|url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/05/30/thq-releases-a-free-neighbours-from-hell-port-on-the-app-store/|title=THQ Releases a Free 'Neighbours from Hell' Port on the App Store|website=TouchArcade|publisher=MacRumors.com, LLC|access-date=June 1, 2017}} A port for macOS was released on the App Store on June 22 of the same year.{{cite web |title=Neighbors from Hell 1 and 2 out now on Mac App Store |url=https://www.thqnordic.com/article/neighbors-hell-1-and-2-out-now-mac-app-store |publisher=THQ Nordic |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928124215/https://www.thqnordic.com/article/neighbors-hell-1-and-2-out-now-mac-app-store |archive-date=28 September 2018 |date=22 June 2017 |url-status=live}}
== ''Neighbours Back from Hell'' ==
A remaster, named Neighbours back From Hell, was released on October 8, 2020 for consoles and PC by Vienna-based developer FarbWorks and HandyGames (a publishing division owned by THQ Nordic), and contains both the first game and the sequel, remastered and reworked in HD and at high framerates. It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and fans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.playstationcountry.com/neighbours-back-from-hell-ps4-review/#:~:text=It's%20a%20bit%20limited%20and,pass%20a%20couple%20of%20evenings.&text=Neighbours%20Back%20From%20Hell%20is,and%20doesn't%20drag%20on.|title = Neighbours Back from Hell - PS4 Review|date = 25 October 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/neighbours-back-from-hell/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Neighbours back from Hell|website=Metacritic}}
=Sequel=
{{main|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
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120710062828/http://www.neighbours-from-hell.com/ The official website of the Neighbours from Hell series]
- {{moby game|id=/windows/neighbors-from-hell|name=Neighbors from Hell (Windows)}}
- {{moby game|id=/neighbors-from-hell_|name=Neighbors from Hell (GameCube, Xbox)}}
- {{moby game|id=/nintendo-ds/neighbours-from-hell|name=Neighbours from Hell (Nintendo DS)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neighbours From Hell}}
Category:Cancelled PlayStation 2 games
Category:Android (operating system) games
Category:Steam Greenlight games
Category:Video games about revenge
Category:Video games developed in Austria
Category:JoWooD Entertainment games
Category:Embracer Group franchises