Game lets you star in reality show
By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service
 |
The game's neighbor from hell shows little sensitivity toward others.
Story Tools
|
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of Marc Saltzman, a freelance technology journalist whose reviews also appear on the Gannett News Service.
Reality TV shows remain popular, so why shouldn't a computer game include the same kind of unscripted (and often irreverent) fun?
"Neighbors From Hell" offers just that -- a silly strategy game that lets players star in their own reality show that's devoted to driving a neighbor crazy.
Using common household objects, gamers must play practical jokes on their grumpy, bald and overweight neighbor -- without getting caught. For example, one scenario requires the player to swap his shaving cream with glue. Another gag is to place a mousetrap in his mailbox so when he blindly fishes for a letter -- snap! Later on in the game, during "season 2," the player can creep up to his terrace and ruin his oil painting in progress.
Each act sends the neighbor into a humorous fit of rage. The "audience" will laugh and clap as the neighbor falls flat on his face or shakes his fist while expletives appear over his head. The audience will even grumble and giggle when the player sets up a gag such as toying with the neighbor's piano music or sawing the legs off his favorite chair.
Getting bonus points
Bonus points are awarded for linking consecutive pranks together.
It may be necessary to find and use items in a particular order. For instance, the neighbor won't see how you defaced the picture of his mother on the wall with a black marker unless he was running down that hallway to the bathroom because you poured laxatives in his beer. This demands some additional strategy. That, and there is a time limit per "episode." If the player gets caught by the neighbor, or if the time runs out, the episode must be repeated.
At times, the player will need to hide under a bed or in an armoire until the coast is clear. Using a cell phone to call the neighbor will also help distract him. And the "sneaking" command helps our hero tiptoe past sleeping pets.
Humor may offend
A word to the squeamish: "Neighbors From Hell" may look cute with its cartoon-like graphics, but it contains plenty of off-color bathroom humor, which may offend some. The game is rated "Teen" for comic mischief, mild violence and suggestive themes.
While this clever European import proves there are still fresh and innovative concepts for PC gamers, the fun is over too quickly. A skilled player will be able to complete all 14 episodes in about two or three hours. But the relatively cheap price tag of $30 makes this shortcoming more tolerable.
