I just want to preface this review by saying I’ve really enjoyed the Little Nightmares series so far. It’s unique, downright creepy and generally clever enough that it warrants checking out at least once.
In many respects, Little Nightmares 3 is a decent follow-up in the sense that it’s making the most of its existing tropes and mechanics. There’s plenty of creepy levels to traverse, horrific enemies to avoid, and a cool companion to do it all with.
But through it all, it’s evident that Little Nightmares 3 isn’t doing much to reinvent the wheel. The game is incredibly short, there’s still no local cooperative multiplayer, and its story, while interesting in parts, ultimately misses the mark.
Can’t Wake Up Now
Little Nightmares 3 follows the story of two children, Low and Alone, in a nightmarish landscape known as the Spiral. Players can play as one of the two children, while the other is controlled by AI or by a fellow player online. The story itself occasionally cuts back to Low, who seems to be trapped in some sort of hospital or asylum, but is generally ambiguous in its delivery, until the final third, where everything makes at least a little more sense.
I’ve never really leaned on the Little Nightmares games for their engaging narrative or emotional storytelling. The two protagonists are silent once again and don’t really share much in the way of unique personality tropes, apart from their in-game abilities. The story is paced relatively well as you traverse through the spiral, but it is ultimately way too short.
That wouldn’t be an issue given its cooperative play and ability to play through the game as two separate characters. Still, even if you’re stopping to explore hidden areas and track down collectibles, you’re looking at around 6-7 hours in total. Developer Supermassive Games has once again stated that the lack of local multiplayer is a testament to the feeling of isolation and fear.
Unfortunately, I just don’t get it. If the actual characters in the game aren’t alone, why should I be? Either way, you can still matchmake online or play with a relatively clever and responsive AI companion, but it ultimately (once again) feels like a missed opportunity.
I Whack, You Shoot
Playing as either Low or Alone yields its own sort of experience. Low is a boy who wears a raven mask and has access to a bow and arrow to shoot items of interest and enemies from afar. Alone joins Low at the start of the game in the Spiral, and she comes equipped with a wrench to not only destroy environments and pesky enemies alike, but also access mechanics like cranks and switches to open doors.
It’s generally all that sets these protagonists apart, as their traversal abilities feel and work in very much the same way. They even get access to additional items through the story, like an umbrella, which helps with traversal. Much like Little Nightmares 2, players must work together at every turn to progress. Be it using Low to shoot down an item of importance, or getting Alone to smash through a crumbling wall with her wrench, the game does a great job at prompting you to think about each other’s input and potential in any given situation from the very start.
There are a few challenging puzzles throughout the story, and some downright creepy setpieces, where you’ll have to run and hide from all types of horrific and grotesque enemies. But if you’ve played either of the previous games, you’ll feel right at home here. I wish Little Nightmares 3 did a little more to differentiate itself from its predecessors, but at the very least, it’s a competent platformer with more than a few engaging moments.
Look the Part
Little Nightmares 3 is, without a doubt, expertly designed and packed with all the strange and creepy imagery you’ve come to expect from the series. While I would rather not spoil the range of otherworldly entities that jump out at you, the art design is fantastic. Things feel bleak and minimal, while packing a stunning amount of detail, and the level design presents a fair challenge without ever feeling misleading or repetitive. I would say Little Nightmares 3 feels familiar in that respect, but it’s far from ugly or lacklustre.
The sound design here is also fantastic. The tracks are tense and minimal, and flare up at just the right times, scaring you just as much as what’s on screen. Even then, the music and effects are expertly blended with the on-screen action, fading into the distance as you narrowly escape danger.
The game also runs at an even clip and looks quite clean. On the PlayStation 5 Pro, I didn’t really run into any glaring issues, but it’s worth noting that two distinct modes on the console might affect the experience. The Quality mode will lock in 30 FPS and aim for higher resolutions and cleaner visuals, while the Performance mode will prioritise 60 FPS at the cost of higher resolutions.
I felt like I experienced a few slight frame drops in the latter Performance mode, and would go as far as to say here that it might not be as necessary this time around. The Quality mode feels fine, and as the game isn’t really based on lightning reaction times, it will bring more out of the experience visually, which I think counts for more here.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Little Nightmares 3 is a safe, yet enjoyable trip through a gorgeously crafted world. While I would have loved for this to be a little longer and to boast a little more replayability, I just don’t think I can get over the lack of local multiplayer this time around.
While you’ll finish this in a weekend or so, Little Nightmares 3 is worth checking out at least once.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Gorgeous visuals and sense of atmosphere; Great sound design
Lowlights: No local multiplayer; Story feels a little too short and lacks replayability
Developer: Supermassive Games
Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC
Available: Now
Review conducted on PlayStation 5 Pro with a code provided by the publisher.
Featured header image also provided by the publisher.
