My Friendly Neighborhood review (PS5)

With its bizarre fusion of survival horror and nostalgic children’s television, My Friendly Neighborhood is a refreshingly original experience that’s now made it way onto the PlayStation 5. Developed by the Szymanski brothers and published by DreadXP, the game draws immediate comparisons to classics like Resident Evil while steering into its own offbeat lane with a puppet-filled world that feels part Sesame Street, part fever dream. What might initially come across as quirky horror parody soon reveals itself as a tightly designed, cleverly unsettling game that’s more than just a gimmick.

Players take on the role of Gordon, a handyman sent to investigate why a long-defunct puppet show is mysteriously back on air. This setup not only fuels the game’s eerie atmosphere but also provides a compelling framework for exploration. As you navigate the twisted broadcast studio, the contrast between the cheery puppet designs and their aggressive, often creepy behavior keeps you constantly on edge. The writing occasionally veers into repetition, but the core premise holds strong thanks to its bizarre charm and strong sense of place.

Gameplay-wise, My Friendly Neighborhood borrows from survival horror tradition with locked doors, resource management, and map-based exploration. The non-linear level design rewards attention and experimentation, and combat is handled through unique weapons like the Rolodexer, which uses lettered ammo – an amusing nod to the educational origins of the show. Combat itself is serviceable, though a bit stiff at times, and not everyone will enjoy the bullet-sponge nature of some puppet enemies. Fortunately, the game doesn’t lean heavily on violence, opting for scares rooted in tone and atmosphere rather than gore.

The PlayStation 5 version benefits from fast loading and crisp resolution, but the visuals, by design, lean into a deliberately artificial aesthetic. From cardboard set pieces to scribbled crayon walls, the environments ooze personality even if they occasionally lack visual polish. Still, the lighting and environmental storytelling help offset the low-budget look, crafting a world that feels handmade in the best possible way. Audio design further enhances the experience – the unsettling puppet voices and sound effects carry a surprising amount of emotional weight, even when they’re meant to be comical.

Controls are generally responsive and tailored well to console play, though managing your inventory via a grid system can feel cumbersome in tense moments. That said, it adds a nostalgic touch reminiscent of older horror games. The puzzles, while mostly intuitive, occasionally suffer from trial-and-error pacing, especially later in the game. Even so, they succeed in adding variety and maintaining engagement between exploration and combat.

Clocking in at a reasonable length and now bolstered by a post-game “Neighborhorde” mode, My Friendly Neighborhood doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s a strange, memorable horror game that stands out through both its concept and execution, even when its ambition slightly exceeds its technical limits. Fans of psychological horror, dark comedy, or old-school survival mechanics will find plenty to love here – just don’t expect a conventional experience. This is horror with felt seams showing, and that’s part of its eerie charm.

Score: 8.0/10