Despite a change of developer, Little Nightmares III is shaping up to be another incredibly atmospheric, horrifying puzzle-adventure, and we can't wait for the full release after going hands-on with the game last week! Pre-order Little Nightmares III at The Game Collection today >>>
Last week we were lucky enough to be invited to London for a hands-on event with the mighty Bandai Namco, where we got to sample a range of their upcoming titles, drink Red Bull, eat sandwiches and get FREE merch! It’s a tough job y’know, but someone’s gotta do it…
Of all the games available to sample at the event, I was personally the most excited by the long awaited third entry of Little Nightmares, though this time sadly without series creator Tarsier Studios at the helm. Step forward Supermassive Games! With the Dark Pictures Anthology, Until Dawn and The Quarry under their belts, we felt that this puzzle-platforming horror adventure was in good hands… And after getting to play it (again, horrible job, this) we were right.
After flicking between protagonists Alone and Low, it’s a difficult call to decide on which I feel more drawn to. That was until I realise that Low has a bow. And in a world where giant, deformed and unsettling faces want to harm me, I figure something to shoot with might make me feel a little safer. Pfft.
It’s worth noting that this is the first time a Little Nightmares game has been built with co-op gameplay in mind, but that isn’t an option because I’ve got no mates. Boo. Alone it is. No, not the character. I PLAYED alone. Keep up!
With a carnival Ferris wheel flashing in the distance, I begin my hesitant stroll on the boardwalk with my partner in tow. A rope climb of significant size is required as the camera pans out and exposes more of “The Nowhere” that I find myself in. It’s giving sublime.
If you’ve played either of the previous Little Nightmares games before then you’ll be all too familiar with the troublingly brilliant way that their artistic style will leave your skin crawling and fingernails in need of gnawing… But if you’re new around here, welcome to the fear. Supermassive Games have understood the assignment with atmospheric aplomb.
Along my way through the outskirts of this carnival of horrors, I’m met with puzzling situations that are solvable by drawing my bow and taking aim. Each passing stage is met with a weirdly rewarding feeling, be it an arrow to a balloon, or a piece of wood that swivels to reveal the path towards further fears. These little nightmares are quite dreamy, y’know… Once you get over the squirming feelings in the pit of your stomach.
Entering an alleyway I slowly creep in search of the next question to be asked, before a small corpse-like creature awakens from the shadows and takes my poor little Low’s life. No time to draw my bow, or even to scream, only time to reflect on the fact that I shouldn’t be stepping too far into the darkness! Got it.
Working together with Alone, albeit with the game assist and not with a Player 2 to overcome this demo and go home safely, gives a feeling of togetherness that binds. Calling out “Hey!” to your partner when you need assistance to push/pull an object or simply for them to use their handy wrench, always feels like you’re in crafty collusion to defeat the illusion. And in a world like “The Nowhere”, you’ll take anything you can get.
The relief of seeing “Thank you for playing” as it appears on screen at the end of the demo is one coupled with a longing for more. But this short experience with Little Nightmares III confirms to me that the third instalment is truly worth the wait, and its weight, in horrifying gold.
Pre-order Little Nightmares III with us ahead of launch on 10th October 2025, and earn an EXTRA £10 REWARDS at dispatch on the gorgeous Mirror Edition!
