Critics Rate Little Nightmares as an Okay Game

Little Nightmares 3 has been met with moderate reviews from critics, with IGN’s latest evaluation describing it as a safe but underwhelming follow-up to the acclaimed horror puzzle-platformer series. Developed by Supermassive Games, the sequel introduces a new cooperative mode and a pair of fresh protagonists but reportedly struggles to deliver the same haunting originality or puzzle depth that defined the earlier titles.

According to the IGN review by Tristan Ogilvie, Little Nightmares 3 feels like “a surprisingly uninspired retread” rather than a bold step forward. The new leads, Low and Alone, guide players through dimly lit realms, swapping the atmospheric loneliness of previous entries for a more paired-up approach. Players can either partner with the game’s AI or invite another person to join through an online-only co-op mode.

The story unfolds across four main chapters — Necropolis, Candy Factory, Carnavale, and The Institute — each filled with eerie environments and thematic puzzles. Two additional chapters are planned as part of a paid expansion pass to be released later. Despite the new settings, the design reportedly recycles familiar gameplay ideas, relying heavily on stealth, chase sequences, and environmental interactions that long-time fans will recognize instantly.

Each protagonist brings a distinct tool to the journey: Low carries a bow used for shooting targets and activating mechanisms, while Alone wields a wrench to break obstacles or operate machinery. However, as noted in the review, these abilities are largely contextual and rarely require inventive combinations, making most puzzles feel straightforward. This simplicity has led some players to describe the experience as mechanically shallow compared to the brainteasing moments of Little Nightmares 2.

Among the game’s environments, the Carnavale chapter stands out as the most inventive. Its circus-inspired design mixes grotesque visuals with tension-filled combat sequences, showcasing unsettling imagery such as mannequins, distorted performers, and bizarre carnival patrons. Despite these strong moments, critics argue they’re not enough to offset the repetition and predictability that define much of the five-hour campaign.

Ogilvie describes Little Nightmares 3 as “less of a frightening new beast and more of a familiar Frankenstein's monster assembled with parts repurposed from the previous two games.” While the unsettling tone and atmospheric visuals remain a strength, the gameplay progression and set pieces often echo past designs, from crate-pushing sequences to repetitive escape chases.

The game’s signature mechanics are occasionally refreshed by temporary items, such as umbrellas that allow characters to float between platforms or cushion falls. However, these are replaced halfway through by a flashlight that, while visually fitting, contributes little to gameplay or tension. Fans of Little Nightmares 2’s hospital sequence — remembered for its use of light against moving mannequins — may find the new mechanics lacking in creative impact.

The co-op addition, which should have been a major innovation, is also criticized for its limited flexibility. It’s restricted to online play, meaning no local or couch co-op is available, and progress cannot carry over between solo and co-op sessions. Players starting in co-op mode who later switch to single-player must restart the story entirely. A “friend pass” feature lets another player join without purchasing the game, yet it does little to expand replayability or fix these structural limits.

AI behavior adds to the frustration in solo mode, occasionally leading to unresponsive or self-destructive actions from the partner character. While checkpointing helps minimize downtime, some encounters become tedious when the AI repeatedly fails in scripted segments, such as combat or timed stealth movements.

In the final verdict, Tristan Ogilvie summarizes:

“Little Nightmares 3 features little innovation, few scares, and limited appeal if you’ve already played the previous two games, unless you’re dead keen to experience the series’ signature brand of stop-start stealth with a friend in tow.” — Tristan Ogilvie

The review concludes with a score of 6 out of 10, labeling the game as “okay.” Despite its artistic presentation and occasional flashes of creativity, critics suggest that Little Nightmares 3 fails to evolve its formula in meaningful ways. For fans expecting a leap forward in tension or design, the game offers a familiar, modestly enjoyable revisit rather than a haunting new nightmare.