When I first saw the trailer for Little Nightmares 3, I was super excited as I loved the previous two instalments in the series and what Tarsier Studios did with them. Which is why I was quite surprised to see that they didn’t return to do the third instalment, as they are working on Reanimal, and instead, we see Supermassive Games take the helm.
Supermassive Games are known for their “The Dark Pictures Anthology”, which are good games, but I feel are a little different from the formula that we see Tarsier Studios put into Little Nightmares, so it’s going to be interesting to see if they can continue the greatness with the third instalment.
A New Dark Adventure Begins
This time around, you embark on a new adventure set in the mysterious and dark world of Little Nightmares. Follow the journey of two new characters, Low and Alone, who are on the search for a path that could lead them out of the Nowhere. Trapped within the Spiral, a cluster of disturbing places, the two will have to band together to survive in a dangerous world that’s full of dangers and delusions. Escape the grasp of an even greater threat that is lurking within the shadows. In the series first, why not complete this story together with a friend using the new online co-op functions?
Teamwork and Unique Abilities
Having their own unique items that allow them to have different gameplay features elevates the co-op element, as it gives each character a role to play. Low has the ability to use a bow, and then Alone has a wrench. On their own, they have basic use, but when used together, they can make some obstacles and routes accessible and easy to pass through. You become dependent on one another as you progress through the story.
Gameplay and Atmosphere
Little Nightmares 3 continues the franchise’s traditions of blending nightmarish imagery with delightful puzzle-platforming, while it tries to deliver a haunting yet uneven experience. With the game’s newest cooperative focus, the gameplay is similar to that seen in the previous games. Its most ambitious addition is also its biggest gamble.
Having to work alongside a partner introduces fresh layers to puzzle-solving and exploration, but it also diminishes the intense feeling of isolation that made the first two entries so uniquely unsettling. I preferred the previous two due to the intense horror feel you got from having to overcome everything on your own, but throwing a second playable character into the mix makes it lose the same eerie factor that the previous two had.
Story and Pacing
Like the other two games, you can easily get through the story in one sitting, though I didn’t feel that wow factor I got from the games developed by Tarsier Studios. The pacing in Little Nightmares 3 felt much slower, and it also felt repetitive in terms of the areas you went through and the vents you travel through. On top of this, I didn’t find the big bads of this game overly scary or threatening.
The Monster Baby didn’t live up to much of a scare, and The Supervisor, I thought, could be as scary as The Teacher from the second game, but a very lacking chase sequence quickly finished her off before making a lasting impression.
Comparison to Previous Titles
When compared to Little Nightmares one and two, the third instalment lacks the magic and fear factor. Whereas the first title tightly focused on solitary horror and remains unmatched in terms of tension and the second one expanded the world with its brilliant level variety and storytelling. The third keeps the visually stunning appeal but narratively looser, which made one and two great. The co-op felt like a novelty rather than a necessity; it felt like it lost the emotional impact and made some moments frustrating due to bugs and slow AI.
Visuals and Sound Design
I can’t knock the game visually as it keeps up with what the world of Little Nightmares has been about, full of dread, eerie locations full of unsettling detail and atmosphere, and combines with the sound design also helps amplify the world. Early chapters are especially strong and showcase good puzzle design, but as you progress, they fall off and become quite bland and repetitive. Not to mention a few underwhelming locations that just don’t capture the feel of the previous areas and titles.
Replayability and AI Performance
In terms of replay value, you could get about three play-throughs out of Little Nightmares 3 before then, probably only playing it for the Steam Achievements. You can do one play-through from the perspective of Alone and Low, then on the third play-through, play it co-op to get that multiplayer experience. The AI in Little Nightmares 3 can be buggy at times and frustratingly slow.
There were numerous times where I was waiting for them to catch up to me, perform an action, or just get seen by enemies and causing us to die. It is definitely more enjoyable when you play with another player rather than the AI companion.
Conclusion
My verdict is that while Little Nightmares 3 is a chilling, beautifully crafted continuation of the last two titles, Supermassive Games tries to add bold new ideas that just don’t always stick the landing. While it has some memorable moments and retains the franchise’s iconic atmosphere, it ultimately falls short of the tightly executed brilliance that Tarsier Studio put into the previous instalments.
I don’t know why Tarsier Studio didn’t work on the third instalment. The only thing I can think of is that they are hard at work on Reanimal, but if you are a fan of the franchise, you will still find plenty to enjoy. But it’s more of a fascinating experiment than a flawless evolution. For those reasons, I’m giving Little Nightmares 3 a 6 out of 10 for being a good game rather than an outstanding one.
Little Nightmares 3 Review
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Game code was provided to us for the express purpose of reviewing.
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