Little Nightmares III

Developer: Supermassive Games
Release: Oct 9th 2025
Platforms:
Adventure
Beautiful
Cooperative
Short
Buggy
Disappointing
Little Nightmares III Poster

" Atmospheric adventure with stunning visuals and co-op gameplay but short, simplistic puzzles "

Little Nightmares III Review

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."

Highlights

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.

Criticisms

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.

Pros

  • The visuals and art style are stunning and highly detailed throughout the game.
  • Cooperative multiplayer adds enjoyable teamwork dynamics to gameplay.
  • Character designs and animations are well-executed and appealing.
  • Sound design and ambiance effectively enhance the eerie atmosphere.
  • Game runs smoothly and is well optimized on various systems.
  • Emotional bond between protagonists adds depth to the story.
  • The carnival and institute areas stand out as memorable locations.

Cons

  • The game is very short, offering only 3-5 hours of gameplay.
  • Puzzles are simplistic and lack meaningful challenge or creativity.
  • Story is vague, disconnected from previous titles, and poorly explained.
  • AI companion is often unresponsive or gets stuck, ruining solo play.
  • No local couch co-op, forcing online play or solo with AI.
  • Excessive walking through empty, repetitive, and uninspired environments.
  • Bosses and monsters lack scare factor and fail to leave an impact.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

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.

Release Date Oct 9th 2025
Publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment
Developer Supermassive Games
Platforms

User Reviews

Mixed (1,677)
56% Positive 44% Negative