Neighbors: Suburban Showdown – A Quirky Twist on Rainbow Six Siege

Growing up just outside Toronto, I quickly discovered how seriously suburban matters like an unkempt lawn or loud music at night could be taken. Few things feel as daunting as the watchful eyes of a homeowners association. However, an upcoming multiplayer game takes this threat to new heights, pitting two teams of suburbanites against each other with a fun twist of cartoonish chaos reminiscent of Looney Tunes. Enter Neighbors: Suburban Warfare, a game that takes the tactical essence of Rainbow Six Siege but leaves the military precision behind for something more playful.

I had the chance to dive into this suburban skirmish with the brains behind it, Invisible Walls. Each team is tasked with defending their house—complete with a television, toilet, bed, and oven—while trying to destroy the other team’s objectives. But it’s far from a walk in the park. Teams must rely on strategies like barricading windows, setting traps, or simply shellacking opponents into submission to hold their ground.

Neighbors stands out as a class-based shooter thanks to its diverse cast of quirky characters. I opted for Doreen, a spirited grandmother equipped with boxing gloves and an undeniable spunk. Other character choices include Chad, a lovable airhead donning a maid outfit, and Mary-Jean, the stealthy knitter of the group. They certainly made things interesting, especially against Kevin, a mischievous child with a slingshot, and P.A., a former daredevil flaunting his old gear.

These characters are not just easy to jump into—some come with the promise of mastering intricate skills. Their designs are etched in my memory; after all, how often do you get to play a pyrotechnics-loving neighbor or someone whacking enemies with a vacuum in a maid’s ensemble? Though I only played a handful of rounds, I’m eager to see how these unique traits influence player strategies and the metagame.

Strategies evolve depending on the map. One match unfolded in a quaint suburb wrapped around a roundabout, where an errant delivery van posed a constant threat. Another took us to a sprawling, snow-blanketed upscale neighborhood, presenting ample tactical opportunities.

Each match of Neighbors has its own rhythm. By day, players raid opponents’ homes, gathering supplies from construction sites and tearing down fences or cracking open gates. Nightfall, however, brings different dangers, such as each home’s guardian dog, ready to pounce on any sneaky intruders.

Neighbors: Suburban Warfare is getting set for an early access launch. While a concrete release date is still under wraps, players can sign up for potential playtesting through the game’s Steam store page. Having played numerous team shooters, the game’s vibrant charm and compelling competitive dynamics have me thoroughly intrigued. This is one title I’ll certainly be keeping tabs on.