The Little Nightmares IP is instantly recognisable via its visual approach of having small people navigate enlarged locations full of creepy figures. Reanimal is not connected to Little Nightmares, but it is created by the team behind Little Nightmares 1 and 2…and really should have been Little Nightmares 3 following the disappointing release of 3 by a completely different team last year. In short, Reanimal applies all the strengths of the series alongside countless horror tropes to create a much more active, mature adventure through some of the most haunting sections any game in this genre can boast. Be it cinemas full of still figures watching films, open seas packed with slithering beasts, haunted houses covered in child-like mannequins, spiralling towers, expansive farmland or simply riding a school bus through dark streets, Reanimal masters the art of trying to simply survive. Added to this are combat sequences that create more entertainment along a 5-7 hour journey, alongside riding vehicles and taking on giant bosses in fight sequences. I’ve only played a handful of 2026 games so far. Still, Reanimal is currently #1 on the list.
The atmosphere and mystery set the scene. ‘Story’ in these games is more focused on the unknown, because what we don’t know is inherently scarier than what we can see. After completion, I’m still not sure I fully understand all the beats. The opening of the game sees the first character find a partner in the open seas, navigating to an island to find the rest of their friends. These two characters can be played via co-op, though I chose to go at it alone for review purposes. The island is dark, foggy and uninviting, and we are soon introduced to an antagonist in this first area. Most sequences involve avoiding his glare, hiding behind boxes or only running when washing machines are churning. The basic progression is to save another friend, beat a boss and then move to the next area. Anything further in terms of story will be avoided, but there is plenty of build-up to the reveal that clearly connects to the title.
Gameplay is quite basic here as you’ll be largely walking and climbing, yet there are additions and improvements to be aware of. Early sections really are about running and hiding, but you’ll soon acquire a weapon each (crowbar and knife) to fight the smaller foes or distract the bigger ones. There are also throwing items that are required to tackle distance. The small skirmishes are challenging because you only have one hit before death. Angles and aim are still needed for success, which keeps the game at a steady pace. The open areas in the sea also have combat, such as belting seagulls, meaning awareness extends beyond just dodging everything. Boss battles always had a clear gimmick, though remain enjoyable (especially a mid-game boss making use of the spears). If you enjoy Little Nightmares, this is an easy sell and extends beyond the limitations of those games in fighting back.
For me, often the little things brought joy. Knocking over a bucket of popcorn and watching the popcorn cover the floor. Finding a random playground and sliding down the slide. Engaging with environments like this is not essential or deep, but it adds personality and realism to the experience. The characters here are slightly older than those in Little Nightmares and even have dialogue, therefore this evolution makes sense. Finding these little moments always provided a smile and shows the experience of the team in fleshing out their creep landscapes.
In terms of difficulty, the only time I failed was either not taking the right turn or failing to find the exact way the game wanted me to solve a room. I only really became ‘stuck’ once, and this was early game – the lanky baddie kept finding me behind bathtubs and the next room was very dark (which made it hard to find the hole with the progression item). Beyond this, I found Reanimal much easier than Little Nightmares 2. Positioning can cause frustration at times, though nothing that won’t be fixed after a few more attempts. Runbacks are never far and timing is lenient. I played on the Switch 2, and the load times between failing and restating was the only real frustration. All else values the player’s time.
Speaking of the Switch 2, performance in both handheld and docked was excellent. I was happy to review this title on either PlayStation 5 or Switch 2, knowing this is not the type of game that is impacted too much by frames or quality (the locations are very, very dark even on high brightness levels). The Switch 2 is featuring more and more day one third party releases, and this is why. There was very minor jank, but it is hard to tell if this was simply due to the elasticity of the monsters. If you only have a Switch 2, there is no reason to skip this based on performance. It runs as well as one would want.
The final topic I’ll touch on in this review is the addition of both open navigation and a larger band of characters. The collection of masks feels very Little Nightmares, but using a boat to move through the open sea and driving an ice cream truck down a dark road are two examples of functions that feel evolved from this team’s previous work. Even dashing through a massive farm field, while no doubt sectioned off from the rest of the world, appeared endless. It’s a testament to creators who managed to balance suffocation with the fear of such expanses.
Reanimal is the spriritual successor to Little Nightmares 1 & 2, very clearly aligned in style and visuals. Despite this connection, Reanimal goes further in its horror elements and themes, while also adding more combat and exploration. After the disappointment of the third instalment of the aforementioned IP by a different studio, Reanimal hits all the right notes in atmosphere and tone to provide another harrowing, dark tale. I can’t believe how many screenshots I took when entering a new area and being gobsmacked by how original it looked compared to other tropes in the genre. Yes, it’s short and sweet. But the dread and mysterious story (which I can’t wait to discuss with others) are all the better for it.
Pros
- Everything Little Nightmares 3 should have been
- Combat and open areas are thrilling
- Dark, creepy atmosphere
Cons
- Minor frustrations in dark places and positioning
4.5/5
