Hello, neighbors! The town of Raven Brooks is calling again, and this time you’re going to get closer to town – virtually speaking.
Developed by virtual reality veterans Steel Wool Games and launching May 25 on PlayStation VR2, Hello Neighbor VR: Search And Rescue is an exciting new adventure set in the twisted little world of the Hello Neighbor franchise. There’s all the confusing, devious, and mysterious you’d expect from snooping around the Peterson Estate (while dodging the attention of your eccentric, unhinged neighbor), but this time you’re forging ahead, using all the tricks from the PS VR2 book to intuitively navigate a responsive physical world.
Everything in the world of Hello Neighbor VR reacts as it should in the real world, so it’s time to put your dirty little fingers where they don’t belong and dig up some mysteries. Nervously open doors, poke your head around corners (while listening intently for unseen dangers), rummage through cupboards with haptic feedback delivered right to your fingertips, and generally act like a sneaky little kid should. Or children, as the case may be.
For the first time in the Hello Neighbor series, Search And Rescue puts you in the shoes of an entire team of young meddlers. Although this is a single-player game, you’ll switch control between five kids; Raven Brooks’ eponymous Rescue Squad. Each has their own unique puzzle-solving gimmick, and all will be needed to unravel the maze of machines and traps you’ll find. Coordinate the movements of the entire team by using your walkie-talkie to switch perspectives at any time. Gather their heads and rescue your missing friend from the mysterious gimmicky madman (and part-time kidnapper) Mr. Peterson.
We are delighted to let you get lost in the trap-laden and quirky Peterson Estate. Every little crack in the walls can give you a glimpse of the danger ahead, so keep your eyes peeled. While it’s always good to see trouble happen, sound is essential in any stealth game, and the PS VR2’s 3D audio capabilities are perfect for the job here. Press your ear against the doors for the first sign of danger, or tilt your head to determine if that squeak is coming from the attic or the basement. Walk slowly and don’t let your rescue team members get caught. Saving a child is hard enough!
Of course, controlling an entire team has its advantages. Footsteps come uncomfortably close for a character’s comfort? Switch to another and make some noise. Ring the doorbell, turn on the television or flush the toilet, then rush to a hiding place. The neighbor will definitely come running, which will give the rest of your team some respite. Play your cards right and you’ll lead your enemy to distraction – don’t push your luck, or you might find yourself stuck in a corner with nowhere to go. Saving your friend Nicky will be hard work, but with a little thought and some local attitude from Raven Brooks, anything is possible.
Keeping your team in the best condition to solve the puzzles is essential in Search And Rescue. The Peterson domain is a strange network of machines and interconnected puzzle pieces. Many puzzles are intuitive and physical, able to be completed creatively and on the fly, but sometimes you’ll need the right kid in the right place at the right time. Each of the gadgets the Rescue Squad members carry gives them a unique place in the puzzle, and you may need several children strategically positioned and working in sync to blaze new trails. Mr. Peterson might think he’s some kind of great inventor, but five little minds together are better than one big jerk.
We think VR fans and Hello Neighbor veterans will find this trip to the Neighbors will be their most exciting yet. Steel Wool Games has managed to create a world filled with creative team-based puzzles, hidden passages, mysterious tunnels and ever-changing rooms to explore. Mr. Peterson has always been intimidating, but from the perspective of a waist-high kid in VR, he’s a hulking and terrifying foe. Give him a hard time and foil his plans later this month in Hello Neighbor VR: Search And Rescue. We look forward to your visit on May 25.
See you soon in the neighborhood!
