That's Not My Neighbor for Windows

Heavy surveillance in a quest for domestic safety

That’s Not My Neighbor, developed by Nacho Sama, is a high-tension psychological experience centered around the concept of domestic security. The game places the player in the role of a doorman for an apartment building in the year 1955, tasked with the singular objective of preventing doppelgangers from entering the premises. These entities are supernatural imposters that attempt to mimic the appearances of the building’s actual residents to gain access and eliminate the inhabitants. By shifting the focus from traditional stealth and combat to meticulous clerical verification, That’s Not My Neighbor transforms the mundane act of checking identification into a life-or-death struggle for the safety of the community.

The core of the gameplay is defined by a rigorous screening process that requires the player to cross-reference multiple documents for every individual that approaches the security window. Players must examine entry requests, check the daily guest list, and verify physical appearance against the resident files stored in the office. As the player is confined entirely to the security booth, there is a possibility for players to find the lack of movement or scene changes restrictive, as the core loop of checking documents can become tedious over long play sessions.

Tasked with meticulous identity verification

Each interaction requires the player to look for subtle discrepancies, such as a misspelled name on an ID card, an expired entry date, or a missing mole on a visitor’s face. This mechanical loop emphasizes the importance of attention to detail, as a single overlooked error results in a catastrophic security breach that ends the simulation.

Subdue and eliminate all impostors

When a threat is successfully identified, the player must follow a strict containment protocol rather than simply turning the visitor away. By pressing the emergency alarm button, the player initiates a lockdown and calls the Doppelganger Detection Department (D.D.D.) to handle the situation. This transition from a routine desk job to a state of emergency creates a sharp spike in tension, as the player watches the security shutters close on a potentially hostile entity.

The protocol requires the player to be absolutely certain of their dedication, as calling the D.D.D. on a legitimate resident is considered a major failure. This steep punishment for errors subtly increases the stakes, especially since differences between a resident and a doppelganger are so small that they can feel like an unfair trick rather than a fair puzzle.

Find horror in the mundane

That’s Not My Neighbor is a masterful exploration of paranoia through the lens of bureaucracy. By turning the player into a literal gatekeeper, the game highlights the inherent tension in trusting those who appear familiar. It rewards players that possess a keen eye for detail and a disciplined adherence to protocol, while punishing haste and overconfidence. While the gameplay loop is intentionally repetitive to simulate the exhaustion of a real job, the constant threat of a seemingly flawless impostor ensures that the experience remains engaging.