“That’s Not My Neighbor” originally released as a simple mini-game mixing Paper’s Please with less paperwork and more observing your neighbors. It added a campaign mode, which provides the full story of the game, explaining who, what and why everything has been happening and the motivations behind it.
In the story, players take on the role of a doorman working at an apartment complex that’s under the close watch of the Doppelgänger Detection Department (Triple D). Triple D is conducting experiments to assess how well doppelgängers can impersonate humans. What seems like a straightforward job quickly spirals into a dangerous game of survival, as the doorman discovers that these doppelgängers are part of a secret government project gone awry.
The Government’s Plan: The Trojan Project
At the heart of the mystery lies the Trojan Project, a covert government operation designed to create human replicas. Originally framed as a defense against an alien invasion, the true purpose of the project was to develop doppelgängers as weapons of espionage, infiltration, and assassination. These clones could mimic humans so perfectly that they could be used to take out key targets and slip into enemy territories unnoticed.
However, the project goes off course when the doppelgängers start gaining self-awareness. No longer content to be mere tools, these creations begin plotting their own future, which includes turning against their creators. The story’s tension builds as players realize that the government’s ambition to control these beings has resulted in a threat far greater than anticipated.
To summarize: This is more about government’s inability to control their project than anything else.
DDD: The Doppelgänger Detection Department
DDD is the government agency responsible for monitoring the spread of doppelgängers and controlling the experiment. Their headquarters, located downtown, is central to the game’s events. The apartment building where the doorman works serves as a testing ground, packed with both real people and their identical doppelgängers. DDD’s aim is to see how easily people can be deceived by these copies.
The doorman’s task? Identify the doppelgängers hidden among the residents. But what he doesn’t know is that his performance is also being closely monitored, and his decisions will determine not only the fate of the residents but also his own.
The Truth About the Doppelgängers
From the beginning, the government has misled everyone with tales of alien invasions and extraterrestrial threats. In reality, the doppelgängers are entirely human-made, crafted through the Trojan Project to serve as war tools. These replicas are nearly flawless, designed to fool even the closest of friends and family.
As the protagonist digs deeper, it becomes clear that the doppelgängers are more than just puppets—they are sentient. They’ve grown beyond their original programming, and some are now plotting a rebellion against humanity. This revelation raises the stakes, as the doorman realizes he’s caught between the government’s lies and the doppelgängers’ growing autonomy.
The Hooded Man’s Secret Letter
A key turning point in the game comes when the doorman receives a secret letter from a hooded figure. This letter reveals the true scope of the government’s plan, exposing the full extent of their experiments and the doppelgängers’ dangerous potential. The contents of this letter change the course of the story, providing the doorman with critical knowledge about the shadowy forces at work.
The Role of Dr. Afton
Dr. Afton plays a central role in the Trojan Project, overseeing the creation and testing of the doppelgängers. His connection to Mia Stone, who is possibly involved in the experiment as well, adds layers of complexity to the narrative. As the lead researcher, Afton’s decisions greatly impact the direction of the project, and by extension, the protagonist’s fate.
In one of the game’s possible endings, Dr. Afton orchestrates the elimination of the doorman, demonstrating the lengths the government is willing to go to protect their secrets. His role as both a creator and a potential villain adds to the tension, as players uncover more about his involvement in the project.
Multiple Endings: The Doorman’s Fate
“That’s Not My Neighbor” offers multiple endings based on the choices made throughout the game. Each decision the doorman makes—whether it’s correctly identifying doppelgängers or uncovering too much about the Trojan Project—shapes the final outcome.
- Six Feet Under Ending: If the doorman fails to spot enough doppelgängers, they overrun the apartment complex, leading to the deaths of both the doorman and the residents.
- Conspiracy Theorist Ending: If the doorman uncovers too much about the project, Dr. Afton and his team eliminate him to keep their secrets hidden.
- Best Performance Ending: If the doorman successfully identifies all doppelgängers, he’s rewarded with a certificate and a pat on the back—but nothing more substantial, highlighting the government’s disregard for his efforts.
- Worst Performance Ending: If the doorman incorrectly identifies real residents as doppelgängers, he’s arrested for the deaths of the neighbors and faces severe consequences.
There is no best ending. You either do really well and keep your job, do really poorly and get arrested or come out inbetween and get eliminated.
Side Story: Chester Titor and the Alien Hoax
One of the more intriguing side plots involves Chester Titor , a farmer who claims to have encountered aliens. He reports seeing a flying saucer on his land and believes his cows are being abducted. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the alien invasion is a cover for the government’s doppelgänger experiments. Chester’s disappearance and his strange behavior after being “returned” suggest that he may have been replaced by a doppelgänger himself.
This is a diversion. There are no aliens.
Themes of the Game
“That’s Not My Neighbor” explores several key themes, with deception and mistrust at the forefront. The government’s manipulation of both the public and the doppelgängers creates a tense atmosphere where no one can be trusted. The game also raises questions about the loss of humanity, as the doppelgängers, while physically identical to humans, lack the emotional depth and moral compass that define human beings.
As the doppelgängers gain self-awareness, the game forces players to confront difficult questions about what it means to be human and where the line between man and machine truly lies.
Final Thoughts
“That’s Not My Neighbor” weaves a compelling narrative of conspiracy, science fiction, and moral dilemmas. The doppelgängers’ rise to sentience and the government’s web of lies create an atmosphere of unease, keeping players on edge throughout the game. With multiple endings and a rich backstory, the game invites players to explore different outcomes and speculate on the future of its world.
As the story unfolds, it’s clear that the battle between the government and the doppelgängers is far from over. Fans of the game are left eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this unfolding saga, wondering how far the doppelgängers’ rebellion will go and what new twists lie ahead.
