The Little Nightmares series has always thrived on atmosphere, with its eerie, claustrophobic worlds that feel like a bad dream you can’t quite wake from. The first two entries were a stunning masterclass in visual storytelling, delivering moments of surreal horror that stuck with the player long after the ending. It’s with high expectations that Little Nightmares III arrives, now handled by Supermassive Games. Unfortunately, while the foundations are familiar, much of the series’ dark magic seems to have been worn off in the process.

So what’s new? Not that much, if truth be told. The biggest addition this time is co-op. For the first time, two players can explore the game’s distorted world together, each taking control of one of the new characters, Low and Alone. On paper, this seems like a perfect fit. The series’ focus on teamwork and survival naturally lends itself to shared play. And to its credit, when it works, the co-op moments shine. There’s real satisfaction in solving small environmental puzzles together or in wordlessly coordinating an escape from one of the game’s grotesque creatures.

Low and Alone are an interesting pair, and their small differences add some welcome variety to the formula. Low carries a bow and arrow, useful for hitting distant switches or creating distractions, while Alone wields a wrench that can break through barriers and fend off certain threats. These tools give each character a clear role, and the game occasionally uses that to create neat co-op moments. It’s a shame the game doesn’t push that idea further. There were times, especially near the beginning, when I barely had to draw Low’s bow that might have had something to do with the hideous auto-aiming function.

The two characters themselves don’t talk, but their animations and body language do a great job of selling their relationship. You get a genuine sense that they need each other, even if the gameplay sometimes struggles to keep that bond feeling natural.

The biggest issue is that the same problems from the older games are still hanging around, and they feel even more noticeable this time. Movement still has that sluggish, floaty feel that makes even simple jumps or grabs more frustrating than they should be. You’ll often miss ledges or fall off platforms. It’s not broken as such, but it’s clumsy enough to get under your skin, especially when timing is everything.

I would have hoped that Supermassive would have taken this chance to fix the controls that have dogged this and the previous games. The camera doesn’t help either. It still looks cinematic, but that fixed angle makes it hard to judge depth properly. What looks like a perfect jump can easily end in a fall because you couldn’t quite gauge the distance. You’ll spend a lot of time awkwardly repositioning yourself, which completely kills the flow during the more intense sections.

Puzzles also feel stripped back this time around too. The first two games balanced stealth, platforming, and problem-solving really well, but Little Nightmares III simplifies much of that. Many sections revolve around dragging boxes, pulling levers, or navigating short chase sequences. They’re enjoyable in the moment, but rarely memorable. The world remains rich with unsettling imagery, yet the interactions within it lack depth. You’ll spend far more time wandering than thinking.

The story follows Low and Alone as they try to escape from yet another twisted world filled with monstrous inhabitants. There’s still no dialogue, with most of the storytelling done through atmosphere and small environmental clues, but it never feels as mysterious or emotionally heavy as the previous titles. The earlier games made you feel lost and small in a world that didn’t make sense. Here, it’s easier to predict where things are going. There are some great moments, especially in the second half of the game, but it doesn’t quite land with the same punch as Little Nightmares I or II.

Visually, though, Little Nightmares III still stuns. Despite the nightmarish gloom feeling watered down compared to the earlier titles, the graphics remain exceptional. Exploring its environments feels like wandering through an enormous Victorian doll’s house, every corner filled with strange objects and unsettling details. It’s beautiful in a dark, uncanny way, even if it no longer feels quite as threatening. It amazes me that so much attention has been lavished on a single screen that you’ll never see again. 

That’s not to say Little Nightmares III is without merit. It’s still capable of delivering moments of tension and quiet beauty, and the cooperative play can be delightful when everything clicks. But it’s also a game that feels trapped between old habits and new ambitions, haunted by its own legacy yet unwilling to truly evolve.

In the end, Little Nightmares III offers flickers of brilliance amid a sea of missed potential. It’s a slow start, with the first half feeling almost like a “painting numbers” clone of the first two games — safe and familiar — but it really comes into its own in the second half. Playing with a friend is good fun, and co-op moments can work really well, but the same flaws that haunted the first two games are still here, and now they’re even harder to forgive.

Little Nightmares III is on PS5 (review platform) PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox X/S and PC

Developer: Supermassive Games
Publisher: Namco Bandai

Disclaimer: In order to complete this review, we were provided with a promotional copy of the game. For our full review policy, please go here.

If you enjoyed this article or any more of our content, please consider our Patreon.

Make sure to follow Finger Guns on our social channels. Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, Spotify or Apple Podcasts – to keep up to date on our news, reviews and features.