When Little Nightmares II debuted in 2021, it received high praise for its eerie atmosphere and clever puzzles. Now, after two and a half years since the last mainline entry, fans of the first two critically acclaimed games have something new to look forward to. Bandai Namco has announced that Supermassive Games, the developer behind Until Dawn, is working on a new installment in the Little Nightmares universe. And the best part? We’ve been given our first glimpse of Little Nightmares III.

Introducing Little Nightmares III

In Little Nightmares III, players will follow the story of Low and Alone, two children trapped within a horrifying place known as The Spiral. Together, they must find a way to escape and evade the lurking threat that hides in the shadows. While the game can still be played solo with a CPU-controlled partner, you also have the option to team up with a friend in online co-op.

The Gameplay Experience

The gameplay demo takes place in the Necropolis, a desolate desert biome with limited visibility. Producer Coralie Feniello describes it as “a city of eternal energy and certain death.” The absence of music and the eerie soundscapes create a bleak environment devoid of hope and vibrancy. As Low and Alone reach a towering structure, they climb a long ladder and enter what appears to be a tomb. Each character wields a distinct weapon with unique functions: Alone has a wrench, while Low possesses a bow. These weapons prove essential in opening up new paths in different ways.

With cooperative play as a central gameplay aspect, Low and Alone must cooperate to solve various puzzles. In one scenario, Alone rotates a mechanism to extend a bridge while Low shoots the counterweight with their bow to secure the bridge in place. The two characters can communicate through calls and gestures, rendering voice chat unnecessary in this cooperative title.

As their ascent continues, they encounter a crow carrying a key. Low skillfully shoots the key out of the crow’s mouth, and they carry it onward to progress in the Necropolis. Moving forward, they stumble upon a giant hand stretching across one of the rooms. Initially appearing as a statue, the hand springs to life, revealing itself as part of a massive creature named Monster Baby, one of the Residents of Little Nightmares III. The two characters navigate carefully, narrowly avoiding Monster Baby’s grasp until they reach a room where the giant peers through a wall. It’s important for the children to avoid the creature’s petrifying gaze.

The gameplay demo then transports us to the dimly lit catacombs of the Necropolis. Monster Baby continues its destructive path, punching through walls. Low and Alone solve puzzles involving huge scarabs and wade through waist-high sand to make their way back to the city. Above ground, they do their best to evade Monster Baby, but it seems they may not succeed, as the giant hand prepares to snatch them just as the gameplay footage ends.

Additional Information: The Sounds of Nightmares

In addition to the game itself, fans can indulge in The Sounds of Nightmares, a six-part podcast series that delves into the lore of the Little Nightmares universe. The first two episodes are set to release soon.

Little Nightmares III will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC in 2024.