Hello Neighbor VR: Search & Rescue - Game Review

Channel:

Veteran Game

Subscribers:

971

Published on May 28, 2023 1:00:23 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv5b88EgywY

Game:

Hello Neighbor (2017)

Category:

Review

Duration: 3:43

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Hello Neighbor VR: Search & Rescue - Game Review

Hello, gaming veterans, and welcome back to your favorite stop for all things gaming - the "Veteran Game" channel! Today, we're diving into the intriguing world of virtual reality with a game that's been creating quite a stir - "Hello Neighbor VR: Search & Rescue."

The Hello Neighbor series, known for its suspenseful gameplay and thrilling adventures since its debut in 2017, has made its leap into the VR sphere, brought to us by the collaborative efforts of publisher tinyBuild and Steel Wool Studios. The concept of sneaking around the creepy Mr. Peterson's labyrinth-like house, while dodging his pursuit, is an exciting proposition. However, the game presents its fair share of challenges, particularly for those new to the Hello Neighbor universe.

In Search & Rescue, you find yourself playing the roles of five distinct children, on a mission to infiltrate Mr. Peterson's eerie house to rescue a captured friend. The game doesn't spoon-feed you with dialogue or text. Instead, the tutorial takes the form of pictographs that surface when you approach interactable objects. This approach can make the narrative feel obscure for those unfamiliar with Hello Neighbor's underlying premise.

Despite this initial confusion, the game offers an innovative multiple character aspect that provides engaging gameplay dynamics. Each child character, with their unique hiding places and abilities, contributes to the progression through the puzzles scattered across Mr. Peterson's house. The game shines in these moments - when you use one character to drop a key from the second floor, only for another to pick it up and unlock a previously inaccessible path.

However, while the game presents an intriguing puzzle and hide-and-seek dynamic, its VR gameplay has a few misses. There's a noticeable lack of accessibility options, making it difficult for some players to fully immerse themselves in the game. Furthermore, the handling of certain objects, particularly two-handed items like crowbars, often feels unresponsive, breaking the immersive experience.

Despite the lack of certain customization options, traversal in Search & Rescue is reasonably solid. Scaling over objects feels akin to games like "The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners." One-handed items and smaller objects, like keys or a slingshot, are quite enjoyable and responsive to handle.

An area where Search & Rescue truly shines is in its environmental design. The enigmatic house offers a fun exploration journey filled with environmental puzzles and a nerve-racking persistent threat in Mr. Peterson. The dynamic collaboration between the child characters to progress within the house adds an interesting layer to the gameplay.

Nevertheless, the game's obscure context and puzzling interactions can make it an intimidating experience, particularly for those who haven't ventured into the Hello Neighbor series before. If tinyBuild and Steel Wool Studios plan to create another Hello Neighbor VR game, Search & Rescue can be a beneficial reference point on what to incorporate and avoid in future iterations. The environmental and puzzle design is commendable, but more focus needs to be directed towards refining a comfortable and responsive VR experience.

So, that wraps up our review of Hello Neighbor VR: Search & Rescue, veterans! It's a game with an interesting premise, some strong points, and definitely areas for improvement. As always, we'd love to hear your experiences and thoughts, so make sure to drop them in the comments. Until next time, keep your game strong, veterans!