You play as Nicky Roth, a curious young boy who moves into a new neighborhood and becomes suspicious of his eccentric neighbor. Nicky's abilities are those of a typical child: he can run, jump, crouch, and interact with objects. He has no special powers or combat skills. His primary tools are stealth, observation, and ingenuity. Nicky can carry up to four items in his inventory, which is crucial for puzzle-solving and distraction tactics.

The 'build' for Nicky is entirely player-driven, focusing on how you use his limited abilities. Do you prefer a stealthy approach, meticulously planning routes and avoiding detection? Or do you favor a more aggressive distraction strategy, throwing objects to lure the Neighbor away? Mastering Nicky's movement (especially sprinting and crouching) and understanding item utility are your primary 'skills' in this game. There are no upgrades or character progression; your improvement comes from learning the game's mechanics and the Neighbor's AI.