I’m not gonna lie, I’m a fan of the Little Nightmares games. The first game took us to a strange, unusual world that was dark, twisted, and unsettling. The second game expanded on that premise and gave us something bigger, bolder, darker, and kept everything connected! Little nightmares 3 is here.
The third game in the series does feel like a Little Nightmares game (no doubt in my mind), but I also feel the connection that made the first two games so great is a little lost.
It is visually stunning?
Let’s first chat about just how amazing this game looks. Everything from art direction, environments, characters, atmosphere, to the overall vibe is well-polished. As you’re navigating through the different levels, you notice the unusual layouts and tones of each world. Each one feels like it’s come from the mind of a really nasty Tim Burton movie — almost like a fairy tale gone wrong.
Everything is complemented by really well-done sound design and a cool music score. Environments sound uneasy, with haunting, creepy nursery rhyme-style chants and eerie melodies. If you’re using headphones or a good surround system, you’ll hear little details in environments (clunks, steam, metal pipes, forests…), all perfectly placed.
The environments themselves are diverse and bizarre. You’ll enter deserted towns in the middle of a desert, some kind of weird, abnormal sweet factory, and a strange yet perverted carnival setting.
There are plenty of shock moments — nothing truly scary, but definitely “wait, that’s not right!” moments that make you pause.
Does the Story live up to the first two games?
The story is also a strange one, very mysterious. Unlike the first two games, the narrative feels disconnected. It’s not really clear what is happening, and in all honesty, the ending left me with more questions than answers. You are literally making your way from point A to point B with no real reason as to why you are on this journey. Things are explained to an extent, but again, I just felt a little disconnected from what was happening around me.
I did enjoy the uncanny, weird characters that you meet along the way. Little Nightmares has always had really good creature designs. In the third game, you’ll encounter a giant baby doll, a librarian, a really strange puppet master, and a giant dude with weird legs and arms lol.
You’ll also have a lot of chasing scenes… so be prepared to run a lot!
Gameplay how do I feel about?
Now, gameplay. It felt good at times — kind of a mix and mash of the first two games, while also trying to introduce a multiplayer aspect. If you’ve played anything from Hazelight Studios (Split/Fiction, It Takes Two, Brothers), you’ll know what to expect.
Puzzles are straightforward, requiring cooperation between the two characters — one might hold a switch while the other moves a block, or one shoots enemies with a bow while the other finishes them off with a wrench.
Is the gameplay challenging? Not really, but I do suggest playing with someone because this is definitely the game’s strong point. Playing with a friend is always fun, and there’s plenty to do as a team!
One small frustration is depth perception. Sometimes it’s hard to judge distances or platform levels, which led to a few untimely deaths and wrong turns. Still, Little Nightmares 3 introduces some clever new gameplay elements: gliding with a feather-like umbrella, fumbling around dark areas with a torch, and using a teddy bear to reveal hidden paths.
My Overall thoughts
Overall, Little Nightmares 3 does what it’s supposed to do — give you an unsettling feeling in a dark, corrupt, depressing world. Does it bring anything new or improve on the first two games? Not at all. But I did have fun with it and would recommend you try it out.
There are flaws in pacing, storytelling, and gameplay, but the presentation more than makes up for them. The developers clearly put time and care into creating a visually stunning experience.
It’s enjoyable, well-crafted, and full of character.
I’m giving it a 7 out of 10!
Release Date & Editions
- Release Date: 10 October 2025
- Pre-orders & Special Editions:
• There’s an Enhanced Edition (for the original Little Nightmares) bundled or accessible via pre-orders, with upgraded visuals (ray tracing, volumetric lighting, etc.).
• Editions include Standard, Deluxe (with “Secrets of the Spiral” expansion pass and costume sets), Mirror Edition (collector’s items) and a Spiral Edition (exclusive to Bandai Namco store)
• DLC / additional chapters (Expansion Pass) will release later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Little Nightmares 3 shares the same dark tone and atmosphere as the first two games but feels more loosely connected in its storyline and emotional impact.
Yes. The game introduces a cooperative multiplayer mode where players solve puzzles and explore eerie worlds together, enhancing replayability.
It adds new mechanics like gliding with an umbrella, using a torch for dark areas, and co-op puzzles that require teamwork — all while maintaining the series’ signature tension.
Absolutely. Despite pacing and story flaws, it offers a visually stunning, atmospheric experience that fans of eerie, narrative-driven adventures will enjoy.