Little Nightmares III has sparked a wide range of player reactions, with many expressing disappointment despite its visual appeal. The game features a new developer, Supermassive Games, which has led to a departure from the original tone and style established by Tarsier Studios in the first two entries. While the art style remains impressive and the multiplayer co-op mode is a fresh addition, the gameplay and story have been criticized for lacking depth and cohesion.
Players noted the game is relatively short, lasting around 3-5 hours, with simple puzzles and repetitive level design. The AI companion often behaves erratically, impacting the single-player experience negatively. The story is considered vague and disconnected from the previous titles, with many feeling it fails to build upon or enrich the established lore. Technical issues such as bugs and soft locks further detract from the experience.
Overall, while the game delivers on aesthetics and some cooperative fun, it falls short in narrative, gameplay innovation, and polish, leading many to recommend waiting for a sale or alternative titles like "Reanimal."
Players praise the game's
- Stunning visuals and detailed environments, especially the carnival and institute areas.
- Well-designed character models and animations.
- Smooth performance and good optimization.
- Cooperative multiplayer mode that adds a new dimension to gameplay.
- Some thrilling chase sequences and atmospheric moments.
- Creative use of new mechanics like the bow and wrench, albeit limited.
- Sound design and ambiance contribute positively to the overall mood.
- The emotional relationship between the protagonists is appreciated.
- The game is longer than previous entries, offering more content.
- The "Eye of Rah" mechanic is noted as a unique feature.
Common criticisms include
- The game is too short and feels rushed, with only 3-5 hours of gameplay.
- Puzzles are overly simple and uninspired.
- The story is vague, poorly connected to previous games, and lacks meaningful lore.
- AI companion is clunky, often getting stuck or behaving unpredictably.
- Lack of local couch co-op disappoints many players.
- Gameplay is repetitive with excessive walking through empty or meaningless rooms.
- Bosses and enemies feel less scary and lack depth.
- Numerous bugs and soft locks disrupt the experience.
- Controls can be frustrating and imprecise.
- Cosmetic content locked behind paid DLC, adding to cost concerns.
Little Nightmares III is an atmospheric adventure game in which you follow the journey of Low and Alone, two best friends in search of a way out of the Nowhere. In 2 players online cooperation or solo with an A.I., work together to solve puzzles and survive in this nightmarish world.