You’re crouched behind a bookshelf while a sock puppet hums a tune somewhere down the hallway. It sounds cheerful at first, but something’s off. The notes repeat too long. The pacing is strange. You wait a little longer. You haven’t saved in a while, and the last thing you want is to get cornered again.
In My Friendly Neighborhood, you play as Gordon, a repairman sent to investigate a signal coming from a long-abandoned TV studio. But the job isn’t routine. The puppets that once starred in a children’s show are still here — still talking, still performing, and still trying to engage with anyone who walks in the door. They don’t lunge at you. They walk, talk, and shout things they clearly don’t fully understand. That’s what makes it unsettling.
Combat is less about survival and more about buying yourself space. You’re given a foam dart gun and some duct tape. The darts can temporarily stop a puppet. The tape keeps them down — if you can spare it. Resources are limited, and you’ll often have to decide whether it’s worth clearing a hallway or just learning to avoid it. Backtracking is inevitable, so every fight has consequences.
The studio is structured like a classic survival horror map. Doors are locked in odd places. Corridors loop back into each other. Saving requires finding a special item, so you can’t just rely on checkpoints. Some paths will feel familiar — a shortcut you opened, a puzzle you half-solved — but they always carry a bit of uncertainty. You’re never sure who might be waiting in a room you thought was clear.
Puzzles are a big part of progression. Some involve rerouting power, unlocking stage props, or deciphering strange broadcasts. Nothing’s too complex on its own, but when paired with limited inventory space and a puppet slowly approaching from behind, even simple tasks become stressful. The pressure doesn’t come from jump scares. It comes from knowing you can’t rush.
What makes My Friendly Neighborhood stand out is how committed it is to its tone. The sets are bright and worn, like someone left them running decades ago. The puppets aren’t monsters — they’re just confused. The horror doesn’t come from blood or body counts. It comes from feeling like you’ve stepped into something that should be harmless, and realizing it isn’t anymore.
My Friendly Neighborhood is available on Steam.
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