Imagine a horror game that could have redefined couch co-op, but instead played it safe and left fans wanting more. That's the bittersweet reality of Little Nightmares III on the Switch 2. When the original Little Nightmares debuted in 2017, it captivated players with its innovative blend of puzzle-platforming and psychological horror. Its sequel doubled down on the dread, expanding the series' eerie mythos and earning critical acclaim. Now, with a new developer at the helm, the third installment had big shoes to fill. So, does it stick the landing? Well, it lands, but not without a few stumbles.
Little Nightmares III feels like a soft reboot, introducing a fresh storyline and protagonists while clinging tightly to the gameplay and level design that defined its predecessors. Developed by Supermassive Games, it’s a competent entry, but one that leans heavily on repetition rather than innovation. While the series’ signature trial-and-error puzzles, oppressive atmosphere, and macabre set pieces are all present, they lack the heart-pounding intensity of Little Nightmares II. It’s a gentler, more streamlined experience—almost too safe for its own good.
But here's where it gets controversial: the game’s much-anticipated multiplayer mode, a first for the series, is a glaring missed opportunity. Designed around co-dependent puzzles that require two players, the co-op mode is locked behind online play, with developers citing the need to preserve “atmosphere and immersion.” While I understand the desire to avoid turning Little Nightmares into a party game, this decision feels overly cautious. During my review, I had a friend eager to join in, only to realize I couldn’t simply hand them a Joy-Con. It’s a strange contradiction to the game’s multiplayer hype.
On the bright side, the Friend’s Pass—allowing one player to invite a friend who doesn’t own the game—is a welcome addition. However, both players still need their own consoles, and cross-platform play remains unavailable. These limitations forced me to complete the review in single-player mode, aided by an AI companion. While functional, the AI occasionally faltered, creating soft-lock situations that broke immersion. It’s clear the puzzles were designed for teamwork, and playing solo often felt like solving half a puzzle.
You play as one of two new protagonists: Low, a bow-wielding boy in a plague doctor mask, and Alone, a wrench-equipped girl with an aviator helmet. Yet, this is the part most people miss: there’s no character swap mechanic for single-player mode, a glaring omission that could have enriched the solo experience.
The puzzles themselves are clever, blending timed arrow shots with wrench-based actions to manipulate the environment. Combat is less frequent than expected but similarly relies on the bow-and-wrench dynamic. Like It Takes Two or Split Fiction, you can replay chapters as either character, experiencing how their unique tools alter gameplay. Collectibles, a series staple, reward thorough exploration, though they feel less surprising this time around.
Where Little Nightmares III truly shines is its atmosphere. The tension-building sound design and beautifully crafted biomes transport players to haunting new locales—from arid deserts with churning mills to a subtropical island overrun with deadly flora. The surrealist nightmare carnival and stealth sequences are particularly standout, evoking the series’ signature unease. Yet, despite these strengths, the game feels formulaic, relying on established mechanics with only modest innovations.
The story, while intriguing, concludes abruptly, leaving the impression that the planned 2026 DLC is necessary for a complete experience. Clocking in at four to five hours, it matches the length of previous titles but feels less substantial with only four chapters. Performance on the Switch 2 is underwhelming, with soft visuals, micro-stutters, and an end-game boss that moves in a distracting, stop-motion manner. While playable, it’s far from a next-gen experience, and performance-sensitive players may want to look elsewhere.
And this is the part that’ll spark debate: Is Little Nightmares III a step forward or a step sideways? It preserves the series’ dark allure but fails to evolve in meaningful ways. The absence of local co-op and a character-swap mechanic feels like two missed opportunities in a game that otherwise plays it safe. While its multiplayer concept is theoretically strong, the execution falls short, leaving me wondering what could have been.
So, what do you think? Is the lack of local co-op a dealbreaker, or is the game’s atmosphere enough to carry it? Let’s discuss in the comments—I’m curious to hear your take!
