With over 20 million copies sold, the Little Nightmares series remains a standout in atmospheric horror. Despite Tarsier Studios stepping away, Bandai Namco entrusted the franchise to Supermassive Games, known for narrative-driven scares. This new chapter retains the eerie aesthetic but pivots the focus to fresh protagonists, Low and Alone, who navigate fragmented nightmares in a rebooted world. While the minimal storytelling builds curiosity, the cryptic atmosphere of earlier titles feels diluted here.

Does this sequel honor its roots while forging new ground? Or has the magic faded? Let’s delve into the shadows.

Gameplay sticks to the series’ blueprint: tense platforming, environmental puzzles, and evasion of grotesque foes. The 2.5D perspective returns, but movement retains a deliberate weight—jumping and climbing demand precision, though awkward camera angles occasionally misjudge distances. Each protagonist now wields distinct tools: Low’s bow allows ranged interactions, while Alone’s wrench handles close-up tasks and mechanisms. These additions streamline puzzles but rarely reinvent them.

Online co-op emerges as the headline feature. Partnering with a friend introduces synchronized challenges—tugging levers, diverting enemies, or timing jumps in tandem. These moments shine brightest with communication, though solo play suffers: AI companions alternate between flawless automation and baffling hesitation. Tactile scares also feel milder—Supermassive’s monstrous designs lack the uncanny dread of Tarsier’s creations, leaning into conventional horror tropes rather than surreal grotesquerie.

The campaign cruises through familiar beats—creeping through ducts, scavenging batteries, fleeing shadowy pursuers—yet few sequences spark genuine innovation. A late-game crescendo teases unfulfilled potential, but much of the journey feels iterative. Performance dips on consoles and a fleeting 4-hour runtime amplify the déjà vu. Still, refinements like reduced combat frustration (thanks to character-specific weapons) and a versatile Friend Pass for co-op soften the edges.

Environments, though polished, lack the oppressive ambiance of prior settings. Flickering lights and creaking sound design evoke unease, yet artistic cohesion stumbles—industrial corridors and rain-soaked streets lack the haunting whimsy of the Maw or Pale City. Even with stellar voice acting for the antagonists, fear reflexes rarely fire on all cylinders.

Little Nightmares III ultimately lands as a competent homage rather than a bold evolution. Co-op injects fleeting vitality, but absent the original studio’s idiosyncratic vision, this nightmare feels more routine than revelatory.

This review utilized a PS5 copy of Little Nightmares III provided by Bandai Namco.

Review ethics and methodology details are available here.

6

WCCFTECH RATING

Little Nightmares III