Little Nightmares II is an indie horror/platformer game developed by Tarsier Studios, and is available on all major game consoles. Like the previous game, Little Nightmares 2 places players in a wondrous yet terrifying world, with little to no defenses to protect themselves against the dangers that lurk in the shadows. You play as Mono, a tiny human who must navigate through this mysterious and perplexing world, attempting to stop a rogue signal that is corrupting the townsfolk and creatures within.
By marrying together the stop-motion style visuals of films like Coraline (2009) with a simplistic gameplay style that’s easy for newbies to learn, Little Nightmares 2 is a creepy and morbid delight.
In Little Nightmares 2, there is no spoken dialogue or exposition, with most of the mystery being learned by exploring the dark and unique environments. You start the game in the middle of the woods, waking up after an intense bout of vivid dreams. After doing a bit of exploring, you discover a young girl in chains, freeing her and earning a companion on your adventure.
From there, you and your partner must travel through an increasingly disturbing landscape, packed with unsettling creatures, dangerous hazards, and an ever-present feeling of dread. Since Mono and his friend are so tiny in comparison to the rest of the world, traversing the environment is a bit harder than normal. Luckily, Mono is able to push and pull objects, creating new pathways and allowing you to progress.
How to Download Little Nightmares II
You can download the game for the platform of your choice by clicking the Download button located below this review. Check out also the free demo!
The Game Review
Although the game is set in a 3D environment, the gameplay is more reminiscent of side-scrolling platformers, with occasional puzzles peppered throughout the experience. Since nearly everything and anything can be deadly, from a hidden trap to an untimely fall, you’ll need to sneak through areas and examine your surroundings carefully.
There are occasional areas where you can explore multiple paths, finding small puzzles to complete. These larger sections help make the world feel more expansive and immersive, amping up the tension as you dig around the dirty and creepy environments.
In addition to surviving through the non-stop terrors that await you on your journey, there are a handful of collectible items to occupy your attention. Players who search through every nook and cranny are bound to discover fun secrets, including glitching remains to collect along with other interactive distractions. There are a couple of unique hats to find and equip as well, letting you customize Mono’s appearance in some fun ways. Apart from the collectibles, there isn’t much replayability though, so expect a somewhat brief adventure.
The Bottom Line
Overall, Little Nightmares 2 is a satisfying sequel that takes the already-enjoyable formula of the first game and amps it up a bit. The ability to manipulate pieces of the environment results in some cool encounters and puzzles, offering a more engaging gameplay experience than the original. There’s more variety this time around in terms of both level design and monsters, providing a consistently engaging journey.
While the game might be a bit short and simplistic at times, it’s an engrossing quest with lots of personality. It’s also one of the scarier games in recent memory, so even horror-genre veterans will appreciate the level of intensity. If you like horror games or played the first Little Nightmares, this sequel is well worth your time.
