I would like to preface this review by saying that I am really enjoying the Little Nightmares series so far. It’s unique, downright creepy, and generally smart enough that it’s worth checking out at least once.
In many ways, Little Nightmares 3 is a fitting successor in the sense that it makes the most of existing tropes and mechanics. There are tons of creepy levels to traverse, terrifying enemies to avoid, and a cool companion to do it all with you.
But throughout, it’s clear that Little Nightmares 3 isn’t doing much to reinvent the wheel. The game is incredibly short, local co-op multiplayer doesn’t yet exist, and the story, while interesting in parts, ultimately misses the point.
I can’t wake up now
Little Nightmares 3 tells the story of two children, Law and Alone, set in a nightmarish landscape known as the Spiral. Players can play as one of two children, the other being controlled by the AI or other players online. The story itself occasionally cuts back to Law seemingly being locked up in some kind of hospital or mental institution, but its development is generally vague until the final third, when everything starts to make at least a little bit of sense.
I’ve never really relied on the gripping narrative or emotional storytelling of the Little Nightmares games. The two main characters are once again silent, and aside from their in-game abilities, they don’t have much in common in terms of unique personality tropes. The story moves at a relatively good pace as it spirals, but is ultimately too short.
Credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Considering the co-op play and the ability to play the game as two separate characters, that’s not a problem. Still, it will take you about 6-7 hours in total, even if you stop to explore hidden areas and look for collectibles. Developer Supermassive Games reiterated that the lack of local multiplayer is evidence of feelings of isolation and fear.
Unfortunately, I don’t understand that. If the game’s actual character isn’t alone, why should I be alone? In any case, you can matchmake online or play with relatively smart and responsive AI companions, but ultimately it feels like a missed opportunity (again).
I Whack, You Shoot
Playing as Low or Alone each offers a unique experience. Law is a boy wearing a crow mask who uses a bow and arrow to shoot items of interest or enemies from a distance. The Alone joins Law at the start of the game in Spiral, and in addition to destroying the environment and pesky enemies alike, he is equipped with a wrench that allows him to access machinery such as cranks and switches and open doors.
That’s generally the only thing that differentiates these protagonists, as their traversal abilities feel and function much the same. Throughout the story, you can also access additional items such as umbrellas to aid in your traversal. Similar to Little Nightmares 2, players must work together each time they progress. Whether it’s using Law to shoot down important items or using Alone to smash through a crumbling wall with a wrench, this game does a great job of encouraging you to think about each other’s opinions and possibilities in any situation from the get-go.
Credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Throughout the story, there are some challenging puzzles and some truly creepy settings to run and hide from all sorts of terrifying and grotesque enemies. However, if you’ve played any of the previous games, you’ll feel right at home here. I wish Little Nightmares 3 had done a little more to differentiate itself from its predecessor, but at the very least it’s a competent platformer with more than a few charming moments.
look at the part
Little Nightmares 3 is definitely well-designed and packed with all the weird and creepy imagery you’ve come to expect from the series. I don’t want to spoil the variety of otherworldly beings that pop into my eyes, but the art design is great. Things feel stark and minimalistic, but are packed with a surprising amount of detail, and the level design presents a fair challenge without feeling misleading or repetitive. I think it’s similar to Little Nightmares 3 in that respect, but it’s not ugly or lackluster.
The sound design here is also great. The tracks are tense and minimal, flaring up at the right times and scaring you as much as anything on screen. Still, the music and effects expertly blend with the on-screen action, fading into the distance as you narrowly escape danger.
Credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Games also run at an even clip and look very clean. I didn’t experience any noticeable issues with the PlayStation 5 Pro, but it’s worth noting that the console’s two different modes can affect your experience. Quality mode is fixed at 30 FPS and aims for higher resolution and sharper visuals, while Performance mode sacrifices higher resolution in favor of 60 FPS.
I felt like I experienced some frame drops in the latter performance mode, but I’d go as far as to say it might not be necessary this time around. Quality mode is comfortable. Since the game isn’t really based on lightning reaction times, it can bring out more of the experience visually, and I think that’s more important here.
final thoughts
Overall, Little Nightmares 3 is a safe yet fun journey through a gorgeously crafted world. I would have liked it to be a little longer and boast a little more replayability, but I don’t think I’ll be able to overcome the lack of local multiplayer this time around.
I’ll be done with it over the weekend or so, but Little Nightmares 3 is worth checking out at least once.
3 stars (out of 5 stars)
Highlight: Gorgeous visuals and atmosphere. great sound design
Cons: No local multiplayer. The story feels a little short and lacks replayability.
Developer: Supermassive Games
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC
Available: Currently
Review was conducted on a PlayStation 5 Pro using a code provided by the publisher.
A featured header image is also provided by the publisher.
