Little Nightmares 3: A Familiar Dread with Missed Opportunities

Little Nightmares 3 aims to continue the unsettling journey of its predecessors, inheriting the distinctive visual style and oppressive atmosphere that fans have come to appreciate. However, despite its promising debut under Supermassive Games, the latest installment struggles with a limited array of adversaries, an unrefined combat system, and a brevity that leaves the narrative feeling incomplete. While the game successfully conjures an eerie dread, the creatures, though unsettling, do not quite achieve the same deeply disturbing effect as previous entries. The combat mechanics, a newer addition, prove to be a source of frustration, and the environmental exploration lacks the engaging complexity needed to sustain player interest for its short duration.

My initial encounter with the Little Nightmares series was an immediate captivation. Despite my general aversion to horror titles, the distinct, almost storybook-like horror aesthetic, reminiscent of 'Coraline,' drew me in completely. I found myself engrossed, eagerly awaiting the 2021 release of the second game and devouring every piece of information about its characters and world. Upon its launch, I finished Little Nightmares 2 in a single day, a testament to its compelling nature. Thus, the 2023 announcement of Little Nightmares 3 ignited a renewed surge of excitement.

Little Nightmares 3 marks a significant transition, being the first in the franchise developed by Supermassive Games, rather than Tarsier Studios. Despite this change in developers, the game largely retains the visual and atmospheric essence of the previous two titles. Players awaken in a disorienting, unsettling environment, where the world is exaggeratedly large to underscore the vulnerability of the child protagonists. This sense of scale extends to the various human-like entities and main antagonists, all of whom loom menacingly over the player characters.

The antagonists in earlier Little Nightmares games derived much of their terror from their uncanny resemblance to humans, blended with grotesque deformities—excessive skin, extra limbs, or unnaturally elastic body parts. These elements created a deeply unsettling, almost costume-like appearance for entities whose true nature remained shrouded in mystery. Little Nightmares 3, however, presents villains that, while still disturbing, are less profoundly uncomfortable. They don't compel the same intense scrutiny or philosophical questioning, and their appearances are less frequent than in previous installments. The game features only four distinct areas, each introducing a mere one or two enemy types, including what might be considered a 'boss.' This reduction in variety and encounter frequency is a noticeable departure.

The shift towards a less gruesome aesthetic isn't necessarily a drawback, especially for those who prefer to avoid overly bloody content. While Little Nightmares 3 still delivers moments that might make players flinch, such as a scene depicting an enemy carving a body and feeding it to a puppet, the overall experience is less focused on explicit gore. You'll spend less time navigating through hanging corpses or wading through entrails, a stark contrast to previous games. Instead, the game incorporates elements like mushrooms and lollipops. Paradoxically, this installment often requires players to get much closer to their adversaries than ever before, despite the reduced gore.

The concept of combat was never a central element in the Little Nightmares series, leading to skepticism when it was highlighted as a significant feature in the newest entry. Prior games primarily involved evasion and concealment, with occasional instances of using an object, like a pipe, to dispatch a clay figure. However, in Little Nightmares 3, progression frequently necessitates engaging in what can only be described as 'monster rooms.' These confined spaces demand cooperative effort from the two protagonists to overcome successive waves of enemies. For example, Low might use an arrow to incapacitate a foe, allowing Alone to move in and strike with a wrench. Once the final enemy is defeated, a path conveniently opens, permitting further exploration.

These combat mechanics are not particularly engaging and often feel as awkward as the rare combat encounters in previous games. My perception of depth repeatedly failed me, and without a targeting lock-on, accuracy often came down to chance. Furthermore, playing with an AI companion can be frustrating, as its erratic behavior—like inexplicable jumps off ledges or missed attacks—frequently forced me to repeat sections, detracting from the overall experience. This mirrors the previous game's AI, which often required player intervention to solve puzzles effectively.

The third installment offers remarkably straightforward puzzle-solving. The environments are generally not difficult to navigate, and most puzzles involve simple tasks like moving blocks to reach elevated areas and collect items. Although each environment is distinct, they lack the depth and engagement necessary to encourage thorough exploration, which suggests the game could have benefited from additional development time.

Throughout much of the game, navigation primarily involves moving through holes in walls or foreground vents, rather than fully utilizing the intricate depth of the areas. While this design slightly evolves towards the game's conclusion, by the time players adapt to it, the experience is already over. While collectibles can be found in hidden rooms, they offer the only incentive for deviation, and I frequently opted to bypass them to expedite progress. Had I been aware that the story would conclude in merely four hours, I would have certainly invested more time in meticulously searching every corner. Even minor lore, such as illustrations or clues on walls, would have significantly motivated further exploration.

With only four chapters and a narrative that feels nascent by the time the credits roll, Little Nightmares 3 appears to be an unfinished work. The experience abruptly ends just as the player settles into a rhythm, and the storyline, what little there is, feels rushed. The game’s brevity and lack of substantial content make its price point difficult to justify. Despite the clunky combat, the character and world design retain the signature Little Nightmares charm, yet the game is notably lacking in several crucial aspects. I had hoped for a greater variety of enemies, more environmental diversity, and a deeper exploration of the main characters. While future DLC might address these shortcomings, I find myself without the eager anticipation I once held for the series.