Growing up just outside Toronto, I quickly realized how even the slightest inconvenience, like a neglected lawn or blasting music late at night, could stir up quite the fuss. The power of an active homeowners association is nothing to scoff at! Now, imagine a game that ramps up that suburban tension into an all-out comedy of errors. Enter Neighbors: Suburban Warfare, a new multiplayer game that amps up the stakes with zany, cartoon-style mayhem reminiscent of Looney Tunes. It’s like Rainbow Six Siege but trades military precision for slapstick antics.
Recently, I had the chance to try my hand at some rounds of this suburban showdown with the developers at Invisible Walls. The setup is straightforward: each team is tasked with defending their home sweet home, complete with essentials like a TV, bed, toilet, and oven. Victory goes to the crew that can raze their opponent’s HQ while safeguarding their own. Of course, that’s easier said than done, as players must get creative by setting traps, barring windows, or just giving their rivals a good old-fashioned beatdown to keep them at bay.
What sets Neighbors apart is its lineup of quirky characters, each bringing their unique flair to the battlefield. My choice was Doreen, a spirited grandma with a formidable pair of boxing gloves. The roster doesn’t stop there — there’s Chad, the charming oaf donning a maid outfit, and Mary-Jean, the stealthy, knitting-loving wallflower. Opposing our antics were Kevin, a mischievous kid reminiscent of Dennis the Menace, and P.A., an ex-daredevil still sporting his thrill-seeking gear.
While some characters are fairly easy to get the hang of, mastering them requires skill and strategy. The character designs are unforgettable and delightfully offbeat. It’s a refreshing change from the usual mercenary fare to play as, say, a neighborhood pyromaniac with a penchant for fireworks or a dude in a maid dress wielding a vacuum like a weapon. Though I only experienced a few rounds, I can’t wait to see how players leverage these diverse characters and tactics.
Strategy-wise, everything changes based on the map. One battle took place in a small town roundabout, complete with a wild delivery van that hurled packages at random. Another scene unfolded in a sprawling, snowy upper-class neighborhood, which opened up a wealth of tactical possibilities.
Gameplay flows with a natural rhythm. By day, folks dash into enemy territory, ransacking construction sites for resources, dismantling fences, and picking locks. But once nightfall arrives, guard dogs come on duty, and sneaking into enemy homes becomes perilously difficult—and downright dangerous.
Neighbors: Suburban Warfare is gearing up for an early access launch. While the release date is still under wraps, eager players can already register for a chance to playtest via its Steam page. Having played numerous team shooters, this game’s endearing charm and unexpectedly intricate competitive depth have certainly piqued my interest. It’s one to watch, no doubt about it.
