Reanimal Is The Evolution Of Little Nightmares You’ve Been Waiting For

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At first, I wasn’t sure what made playing Reanimal so captivating. When Tarsier Studios, known for Little Nightmares 1 and 2, announced the game, I immediately noticed similarities to that series, which is now developed by Supermassive. I played demos of both Reanimal and Supermassive’s Little Nightmares 3 within the same week. Even though my time with Reanimal was brief—only about 20 minutes—I was much more impressed with it than with Little Nightmares 3.

I enjoyed Little Nightmares 3, as I mentioned in my review. It’s a visually stunning game, consistent with the series, and the addition of co-op play is a refreshing new feature. However, I was even more impressed by the recent demo for Reanimal, which is available to try now during Steam Next Fest.

I’ve been trying to figure out why Reanimal feels so much more captivating and emotionally impactful. Both it and the other game have fantastic sound design, skillfully using creaks, echoes, and quiet moments to create tension. The puzzles are also quite similar in both games, and both offer optional co-op or an AI partner to help players survive a dangerous world filled with diverse monsters.

What sets Reanimal apart from other games like Little Nightmares? It’s the sheer grittiness of the world. While recent Little Nightmares games toned down the truly disturbing and unsettling monsters, Reanimal feels like a return to the original’s intensely creepy atmosphere. The 2021 sequel and its follow-up seemed to shy away from that darkness, making the world feel too clean considering its origins. I’ve been hoping for a game to recapture that original feel, and Reanimal – with its disturbing creature designs, dark environments, constant sense of dread, and mysterious story – feels like it will finally deliver.

Wow, since I posted my review of Little Nightmares 3, my phone hasn’t stopped buzzing with Reddit notifications! It turns out a lot of other players feel the same way I do about some of the game’s choices – specifically, those things that felt a little… sanitized. If that bothered you too, you *have* to check out the Reanimal demo. I honestly think you’re going to love it.

Reanimal builds on the unsettling atmosphere Tarsier established, but it also introduces some new elements. Most notably, characters now occasionally speak – and even a little dialogue adds a lot to the experience. It’s used subtly enough that it feels natural and doesn’t disrupt the game’s mood.

The camera work is significantly different in Reanimal. While Little Nightmares largely kept the camera fixed for its 2.5D side-scrolling gameplay, Reanimal’s demo showed a much more dynamic perspective. The camera frequently zooms out for wider shots and sometimes even feels like a third-person view. This change allows the developers to create more varied puzzles and exploration opportunities, potentially helping the game stand apart from the Little Nightmares series.

I was reluctant to draw comparisons initially, but the similarities are undeniable. However, what truly makes Reanimal special are its differences, and pointing those out explains why this game is so promising. That was my main takeaway after playing the demo. While some have called it “Little Nightmares 4” or a true sequel, Reanimal isn’t simply more of the same. It’s Tarsier Studio taking the lessons they learned from Little Nightmares and building something new. It will likely attract fans of that game, but this feels even more intense, perilous, and ultimately, more impactful.

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2025-10-15 22:10