Little Nightmares 3 review: Familiar fears, fewer surprises

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The *Little Nightmares* series is unique because it combines cute visuals with a genuinely creepy atmosphere. Both games have offered memorable, side-scrolling adventures that feel like a terrifying game of hide-and-seek. Given its success, fans expected the newest installment to continue this trend, especially with Supermassive Games now leading development. Many hoped this change would bring fresh perspectives and unexpected twists to the formula.

Okay, so I just finished *Little Nightmares III*, and honestly, it’s a bit of a letdown. It *looks* amazing, super creepy and atmospheric like you’d expect, and it *feels* like a *Little Nightmares* game, which isn’t necessarily bad. But it doesn’t really do anything new. It’s got all the same strengths, but also the same problems as the previous games, and I was hoping for something that would really push the series forward. It’s beautiful, but a little too safe for its own good.

Surviving More Nightmares

This game once again combines cute graphics with a creepy atmosphere, and introduces two new characters, Low and Alone, who venture into strange new worlds. You don’t need to have played previous games to understand the story – it’s completely self-contained – and, like before, the narrative unfolds through imagery and feeling, not through conversations. I won’t give away any details (the game is quite short!), but it continues to explore familiar ideas like childhood fears, feeling alone, and dealing with difficult experiences.

The game features four distinct worlds, each presenting a terrifying challenge you must overcome. You’ll finish each world by defeating a massive boss before continuing. Gameplay focuses on exploring environments and solving straightforward puzzles – it’s about figuring out how to climb, move objects, or sneak past obstacles. Playing as the small characters Low and Alone makes you feel vulnerable, like tiny mice carefully navigating large, dangerous areas while trying to avoid nearby monsters.

PROS:

  1. Gorgeous, unsettling visuals and sound design that effectively captures the eerie tone the series is known for;
  2. environmental storytelling that keeps you intrigued;
  3. tense moments that change up the game’s pace.

CONS:

  1. Reuses too many ideas from past games without adding enough new mechanics or depth;
  2. co-op is underwhelming and could have been so much more;
  3. game feels too short and leaves you wanting more.

Familiar Gameplay

This update introduces cooperative play, allowing you to team up with an AI partner or a friend online. While it seemed like a good idea for the game, the co-op mode doesn’t quite deliver. One player uses a bow and arrow, while the other uses a wrench, but teamwork is only really needed in a few short sections. You’ll find most puzzles can be solved on your own, and cooperating doesn’t feel necessary to progress.

It’s a shame this game doesn’t fully explore teamwork, particularly when titles like *It Takes Two* build entire experiences around collaborative puzzles. Here, most moments designed for two players feel shallow – usually just one person lowering a rope or holding a door open. This makes the co-op feel tacked on rather than innovative. Plus, you can’t even play together on the same screen; you have to send a friend a code and play separately.

The game’s movement still feels a bit awkward, and you might occasionally misjudge jumps or fall due to the unusual perspective. While not a major focus, combat can be clunky – your weapons don’t always respond quickly enough, leading to unfair deaths. Your AI companion can offer help, but isn’t always dependable, sometimes getting stuck or freezing, even requiring a restart from a checkpoint. Fortunately, the frequent checkpoints make the game accessible for most players.

Atmospheric Storytelling

Like the previous games, *Little Nightmares III* isn’t about sudden frights. It builds tension and creates a creepy atmosphere instead of relying on jump scares. It’s more unsettling and mysterious than truly terrifying. While there’s a scary puppet chasing you at times, having a friend—either an AI companion or another player—can lessen the fear. What really makes the game stand out is its storytelling, which focuses on creating a mood through its visuals and overall tone, rather than using a lot of dialogue.

Okay, so this game really nails the atmosphere in one world specifically – this twisted amusement park. It’s full of these unsettling figures just…standing in line, and you’re constantly wondering if they’re about to enjoy a ride or something terrible is going to happen to them. That feeling of unease is what I love about the whole game. The other areas look good, but they feel way more predictable and smaller, like I’ve seen it all before. The amusement park just feels so much more open and layered. Plus, seriously, creepy puppets? They stick with you long after you stop playing.

Final Thoughts

After playing for around five hours, I was left feeling a little disappointed with the ending. The game finishes quite suddenly, with some storylines left unresolved—it almost feels like it’s meant to lead into a sequel. Although each world has a creative and interesting main villain, the game as a whole felt too short and predictable to be truly memorable. While additional worlds are available as downloadable content, the main game itself could have used more content.

Even if you haven’t played the previous *Little Nightmares* games, the third installment is still enjoyable thanks to its spooky atmosphere, unsettling sounds, and fast-paced, engaging story. However, long-time fans might feel like it doesn’t offer enough new ideas or surprises. While visually stunning, this game feels a bit too similar to what came before to be truly terrifying.

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2025-10-09 13:34