How to Play
Playing That's Not My Neighbor is straightforward, but requires intense focus. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting started:
- Take Your Seat: You are seated at a security or reception desk. Look at the reference papers and photos laid out in front of you to memorize the real neighbors' details.
- Listen for the Knock: A neighbor will knock on the door or ring the bell. Wait for them to approach the window or peephole.
- Observe and Verify: Look through the camera or peephole. Compare their physical appearance, clothing, and any identifying marks against your reference materials.
- Check the Papers: Cross-reference the visitor with the documents on your desk. Pay attention to names, room numbers, or specific physical traits listed.
- Make Your Decision: If you believe the person is the real neighbor, let them in. If you suspect they are a doppelganger, deny them entry. Make your choice quickly but accurately to survive.
Repeat this process for 50+ encounters, adapting to the increasing difficulty and the occasional role-reversal twist.
Game Mechanics
The core mechanic of That's Not My Neighbor revolves around identity verification and pattern recognition. The game uses a dynamic clue system to ensure that no two encounters are exactly the same.
The Clue System
Each neighbor has a set of predefined traits, such as hair color, facial hair, clothing style, and voice pitch. The doppelgangers will have one or more altered traits. Your job is to identify these discrepancies.
Reference Materials
The desk is cluttered with crucial data. These include mugshots, resident lists, and incident reports. You must actively read and memorize these documents. If you ignore them, you will quickly be overwhelmed by the doppelgangers' deceptions.
Consequences and Failure States
The game enforces strict failure states. Letting a fake in results in an immediate game over. However, there is also a missed opportunity penalty if you let the real neighbor go, which might trigger a different, equally fatal outcome depending on the specific round's rules.
Role Reversal
In advanced rounds, the game flips the script. You are no longer the guard; you are the doppelganger. Your new objective is to mimic the real neighbor's traits perfectly to bypass the guard without being spotted.
Controls
The game is designed to be played entirely with a mouse, ensuring accessibility on all devices, including tablets and mobile phones. Here are the primary controls:
- Mouse Click (Left): Used to select options, let a neighbor in, or deny them entry.
- Mouse Hover / Click on Papers: Click on the documents on your desk to read them in full or zoom in on specific details like photos or text.
- Mouse Click on Peephole/Camera: Switch your view to look directly through the security camera or peephole to inspect the visitor's face and surroundings.
- Keyboard (Optional): Some versions support basic keyboard shortcuts, such as Spacebar to confirm a decision or Enter to interact with the desk items, but mouse controls are fully sufficient.
Keep your cursor ready and your eyes on the screen. The game does not pause while a visitor is at the door, so quick reflexes and fast reading are essential.
