Little Nightmares II - Review

If you’re a fan of Tarsier Studios’ Little Nightmares horror puzzle and adventure platformer, you’re in for a treat, since Bandai Namco have released the studios’ next title and follow up to that first game, Little Nightmares 2.

Using the same formula seen through the first game and somewhat applied to the mobile prequel, Little Nightmares 2 continues to give fans and players more of the same, just with all new locations and a new main character. If you haven’t played Little Nightmares… think Playdead’s ever so popular games, Limbo and INSIDE, only instead of the minimalist flat art style and design of the games, Little Nightmares leans towards a more 2.5D look, which at times evokes a remembrance of any Tim Burton animation. This is something Tarsier Studios have created and executed extremely well… the sense of foreboding and creepiness that runs throughout this horror puzzler.

The opening of the game seems to place Mono, the protagonist in the middle of a dark forest, which one can only assume that you got there through some type of television frequency; similarly to when Samara creepily moves out of the television in Japan’s horror film, The Ring. From there, you’re set off to explore the woods to come to what feels and seems like an abandoned cottage, only to come across another little figure you rescue and attempt to lead through the various levels the game has for you. As you progress through the game, you’re placed into different environments which still holds its eerie and horror genre throughout, and even come across a familiar figure in a yellow raincoat and hat.

Without spoiling too much of the game’s narrative, Little Nightmares 2 has created a fantastic atmosphere due to its nearly non-existent score, but rather focuses on the sounds and effects of the environment. This increases the spookiness of the level you’re in as any noise is intensified, from the creaking of the floorboards to the wind travelling between each blade of grass… even to each footstep you take. Every so often, the game plays a score to give you a slight mood… but is repeatedly switched off again to give a more dramatic effect of feeling isolated and alone. Couple that with the level design, background objects and just the dark shadowy nature of the environment, Little Nightmares 2 is definitely a game that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand.

The character you play, as well as characters you come across have an extremely creepy design. This can be seen from the menacing ‘farmer’ with a potato sack hood on (with cut out eye holes) chasing you early in the game, through to the school of marionette students you come across. Every little detail found in the game design has been created on purpose to scare players and keep the intensity of the game going. Tarsier Studios have really created a fantastic game that’s not just jump scares like a terrible B-grade Hollywood film, but provides more of a constant frightened feeling, one that sits with you from start to end.

The controls are quite simplistic as per platformer. A button for jump, run, duck and grab. For a puzzle platformer, these are almost expected in assisting you to clear each level. However, not only that, but having a 2nd character to help you reach higher areas and platforms lets players really think about where they need to go and what they have to do as they will have to go back and ensure they take Six with you. The sluggish-ness of the controls can come across quite frustrating at first, but assumed it was somewhat intentional to give players the feeling of the little control you have when being chased.

The depth-plane in Little Nightmares 2 can also feel a little pointless at times, and also difficult to navigate. This is something that’s not necessarily needed in a platformer, as seen in the likes of Limbo and INSIDE. That being said, these are only a couple of negatives of what seems to be a mostly positive and fun game, especially if you love the horror and thriller genre. The developers have taken what worked in the original title, but improved upon it greatly with additional options, such as being able to pick up small items and use them as melee weapons.

Though some of the puzzles might come across somewhat straightforward and simple, with the simple act of needing to utilise Six, in order to solve some puzzles and make progress, it feels as though the stakes are higher, as you need to think about the outcome of your actions and how they might impact Six, because you need to ensure both characters are safe, in order to continue the journey forward.

This is definitely a game for fans of the horror genre, because as mentioned previously, Tarsier have perfected the formula by combining an incredible art style, wonderful design, an eerie score (or lack thereof) and unsettling sound effects. Overall, if you enjoyed the first Little Nightmares experience, you won’t be disappointed with the sequel.

The Score

9.0

Review code provided by Bandai Namco

The Pros

+Perfect horror genre environment through the level, character and sound design

+Has taken the familiar formula from its predecessor and improved on it

The Cons

-The control movements could come across sluggish and frustrating at times

-The depth-plane is somewhat pointless, and comes across frustrating