Swedish developer Tarsier Studios carved a niche in horror gaming with the Little Nightmares franchise, merging survival horror with inventive puzzles and atmospheric platforming. After shifting focus post-acquisition in 2019, the team turned to Reanimal, a new co-op-driven title amplifying their signature tension while introducing fresh dynamics to the genre.

While comparisons to Little Nightmares 3’s multiplayer mode are inevitable, Reanimal distinguishes itself through its haunting domestic setting and dual protagonists—a sibling duo navigating a distorted reality to rescue companions. Cooperative gameplay drives progression: players synchronize actions to manipulate machinery, construct pathways, and evade colossal foes. Environmental storytelling fuels the dread, with claustrophobic interiors and unnerving creature designs heightening the stakes.

A hands-on demo at Gamescom showcased the game’s adherence to Tarsier’s strengths. An early sequence on a mist-shrouded beach transitions into a frantic chase through a labyrinthine house, where players scramble to outwit a towering doll-like monstrosity. While some puzzles felt derivative of the studio’s prior work, the adrenaline of evasion sequences—a blend of precise timing and spatial awareness—demonstrated Reanimal’s potential to evolve the formula. Humor punctuated the terror, particularly during slapstick mishaps when coordination faltered.

Though brief, the preview affirmed Tarsier’s knack for crafting memorable, unsettling worlds. While familiarity lingers in its structure, Reanimal’s focus on collaborative survival and expanded scale suggests it will resonate with fans craving more of the studio’s macabre vision. Slated for a 2025 release on consoles and PC, it remains a testament to their distinct horror sensibilities.