If you’ve found yourself unimpressed with Little Nightmares 3, I have some exciting news: the demo for Reanimal, the upcoming title from the original creators at Tarsier, showcased during Steam Next Fest, is truly outstanding. While I previously expressed my frustrations with Little Nightmares 3 in great detail, I need to reiterate that it fell short of expectations. As a longtime fan of the franchise and Supermassive Games, I was left wanting more. The puzzles felt simplistic, the stealth and chase elements leaned towards frustration rather than fear, and the absence of local cooperative play was a significant letdown.
Those disappointments made me eager to see the new ideas that Tarsier was cooking up. After all, if there’s anyone who knows how to craft an engaging experience akin to Little Nightmares, it’s them. From my time spent with the demo, it seems they have indeed hit the mark! While set in a universe entirely separate from Little Nightmares, Reanimal still carries a captivating look and feel, addressing many of the issues I had with the third installment.
Highlights of Reanimal
First off, Reanimal features couch co-op—something I’ve longed for as a fan of this series. Though I haven’t tested it yet, the ability to play alongside my wife is a delightful prospect.
The game just needs to nail a few essential aspects to satisfy my craving for the distinctive spooky platforming that Little Nightmares is known for. Firstly, it needs to create a chilling atmosphere. From my experience with the demo, Reanimal is genuinely unsettling. I felt a constant sense of dread throughout my playtime. Without giving too much away, I encountered some of the most grotesque and nightmare-inducing creatures I’ve seen in the entire Little Nightmares franchise. The thrill when you realize one of them is onto you is exhilarating.
Besides that eerie ambience, the other elements I expect from such a title are engaging puzzles and platforming mechanics. I tackled only a few lighter puzzles in the demo, but I found the platforming to be far superior to that of Little Nightmares 3. The control scheme is much more fluid, making it easier to jump from ledge to ledge, navigate waterways with a boat, and escape from adversaries compared to the clunkier movement of its predecessor.
Regrettably, I keep drawing parallels between Reanimal and Little Nightmares 3, despite my earlier intention of avoiding this comparison. However, given how recently I reviewed that game and the existing similarities, it’s challenging not to remark that this demo exemplifies what Little Nightmares 3 could have been. I’m genuinely excited for its full release next year.
Other Horror Games to Enjoy
While we await Reanimal’s launch, here are some of the top horror games you can dive into tonight.