Little Nightmares 3: The macabre charm continues

The Little Nightmares franchise has been one of my favorites since its first installment, which was released on PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in April 2017. It has woven its own mystery with a touch that makes it seem terrifying, but above all charming. This expression does not do it justice, as the series itself is more than just an experience worth playing. Now, after two installments developed by Tarsier Studios, Bandai Namco has given way to the team at Supermassive Games, creators of Until Dawn and the anthology The Dark Pictures, to give us their own interpretation of this universe full of fears but at the same time visually very pleasing through Little Nightmares 3. I’ll give you my final impressions after finishing this game, which will be released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on October 10.

How do you play Little Nightmares 3?

The most significant change is the addition of cooperative mode as a central pillar of the experience. Unlike the narrative horror adventures that have characterized Supermassive Games, Little Nightmares 3 is presented as a collaborative platform and puzzle game that maintains the essence of Tarsier Studios games. In my case, we played the PC version at its maximum visual setting, but we also played on a Steam Deck and an ASUS Rog Ally X in single-player mode.

The game allows us to control Low and Alone, the new protagonists who will venture into this gloomy world filled with monsters, disfigured humanoid figures, and small cone-headed creatures that we have already seen in previous installments.

You control both characters on your own, although honestly, the two-player experience seems excessive, as the AI solves some of the puzzles very quickly. If I had played in pairs, they would undoubtedly have been a little more challenging, as most of them are designed to be solved by two players.

The difference in gameplay is that Alone carries a wrench that can be used both to attack and to manipulate the environment, while Low wields a bow that can be used to break things, activate buttons, or attack. Although the game has few sequences with enemies that we have to attack, the balance of how the two characters should be used as a team is very well achieved.

How important are stealth and action?

The gameplay in Little Nightmares 3 isn’t exactly about advancing and defeating enemies. Instead, like in previous installments, it focuses on solving puzzles and, at certain points, on stealth or even the simple act of running away. This installment, like the previous ones, is a “2D” platformer with some parts where we will have to use 3D to find the corresponding hallway or to find rag dolls that will give us more than just a surprise.

It is true that most puzzles focus on teamwork. In fact, in some of them, synchronization is crucial, because if the timing is not right, we will have to repeat the sequence.

Is Little Nightmares 3 worth buying?

The visual details, art, designs, soundtrack, and even the sound itself make Little Nightmares 3 an unforgettable experience, although it is important to note that the game is very short (5 hours), even though it has a high degree of replayability, especially if you want to find everything. It is undoubtedly a great title, whether you are familiar with the franchise or not, and we definitely recommend playing it.

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