Little Nightmares 2

Have you ever thought what would happen if you were to mix Ghibli movies with stop motion and CGI, and add a spooky and unsettling atmosphere? Well, Little Nightmares is the closest thing we’ll get to see any of this happen at the same time.

Released in 2017, independent studio Tarsier delivered one of the most original, better looking, and interesting indie horror games of the year. It was a big hit, and now, three years later we're closer to Little Nightmares II, an immensely expected sequel to a masterpiece. While the game is set to release on February 11, 2021, we've seen a lot about the game and there's plenty of info out there, so we can give out a preview.

Bigger means better?

When announcing the sequel to the beloved first game they commented that they received many compliments about the first title, but also many commentaries on what they could improve. They said that these comments are important to make the game better, and they are listening.

One of the biggest criticisms the first game had was that it's too short, too small, that the game deserves much more. They took this really seriously and announced the second game will be much bigger than the first one, including even adding a cooperative mechanic.

Little Nightmares II is also much more varied and big, to the point that the first game could end up feeling like just a preparation for this sequel. But of course, the first one had an incredible reception, and this means that everything great about the first one is going to be available in the sequel.

The darkness of the woods

It’s no secret that the woods are the perfect setting for anything spooky and eerie, and Little Nightmares would fit perfectly here. In Little Nightmares II we start the game waking up in the middle of this dark forest, we have no idea what is going on, not even why are we there or how nor when we got there.

There are some traps, bodies hanging from trees, spooky sounds, and overall a macabre setting. The atmosphere is also filled with Dantesque elements all the way, as it's most of this adventure. It could give some vibes similar to those of LIMBO, but the atmosphere and setting here are more developed and beautifully also.

At some point in the adventure Mono, the little boy protagonist with the bag on his head finds a cabin in the woods. In that cabin, we also get to find Six, the protagonist of the first game, and without mediating words, the two of you will team up to escape this situation.

Preview

We are expecting to see one of the most original, beautiful, and incredible horror games of the last years. It’s so incredible to see what they are doing in this sequel, the visuals have improved and the art department is working incredibly hard. It really does feel like a horror animated movie, and thanks to the incredible visuals, it even looks like it’s stop-motion.

Pros

• Stunning art
• Incredible atmosphere
• Beautiful visuals
• More complex gameplay
• Great cooperative mechanics
• Excellent sound design
• Bigger and longer than the first one

Cons

• Promises a lot, and there’s the chance it doesn’t live up to that.

The genre of the spooky and eerie side-scrolling puzzler has been around since the late nineties. This is perhaps best represented within this era by Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee. However, in the last decade, we have seen a surge in popularity for this type of game, with the catalyst undoubtedly being the brilliant title, Limbo. Since then, we have seen great games like 7th Sector, Braid and Inside come to try and replicate this success but none have done it quite as well as the Little Nightmares series. So, with Little Nightmares 2 attempting to continue this success, many were wondering what horrors awaited them this time around.

This game plays similarly to the original Little Nightmares. However, outside the series, this game plays rather like the aforementioned 7th Sector, Limbo or Inside as well as titles like Neversong or Among the Sleep. This game aims to provide the same nightmare fuel as the original while offering new and fresh gameplay ideas in the process. So does this game succeed in its goal, or has the horror of this series become predictable. We find out in our review of Little Nightmares 2.

What Lurks in the Dark?

Let begin with what is the biggest draw of the Little Nightmares series, the villains. These enemies are the nightmare fuel that make the chapters of the game so tense and spooky. The gameplay itself is very familiar to the original, with puzzle solving being a key way to progress through the story and platforming is also a vital skill the player must possess to succeed. However, it’s the enemies that give each section of the game a new feel and the actions of the enemies tend to drive the puzzle, platforming and chase sections forward, often giving the scenes scope to change the format to match the monster in question.

It’s also worth mentioning the aesthetic of this title. This game offers slightly more refined visuals which only add to the grotesque and dark vibe the game thrives on. Plus, the environments on show this time are much more varied, with some taking place in different biomes, allowing for players to hide in tall grass outdoors for example. Its these small tweaks that help this game stay fresh and serve as more than a carbon copy of its predecessor.

Fails to Innovate

While this game succeeds in offering more of the same great gameplay and puzzles that the initial title offered. Fans were still expecting a change that made the game a successor rather than added content for the first game. The changes made in the gameplay sadly don’t elevate the experience though. The biggest change is the introduction of a clunky and unrefined combat system. We understand that the system may have been made this way to keep the player feeling vulnerable but it begs the question. Why include combat at all?

It isn’t all bad though, as one thing that has been elevated for the better is the set pieces. The chase scenes and the sneaky stealth areas are truly nerve-racking in the best way possible. We will admit that these are perhaps underutilised and by closing stages of the game you’ll likely feel like you’ve seen more than enough. However, these set pieces to a lot to tie these more lack lustre areas together and keep the player invested.

The Verdict

Overall, Little Nightmares 2 offers gameplay that doesn’t deviate to much from it’s predecessor and truthfully, this works in it’s favour. It’s only when the game tries to adapt the formula that the cracks begin to show. We don’t really know if the series has the legs for another outing after this title but for fans of the series, there is still plenty of great moments to be had here.

Pros:

• Spooky and creepy atmosphere
• Enemies are grotesque in the best way possible
• Puzzles are clever for the most part

Cons:

• The combat system is simply not fun to use
• Game is a touch too long