Little Nightmares 3 Review, Gameplay Impressions, Videos and Top Features

Little Nightmares 3 from developer Supermassive Games is one of the most interesting mashups of 2025.

One part puzzle platformer bathed in disquieting horror elements, one part engrossing co-op requiring consistent, clear communication, the latest release in the popular series makes new headway for itself. 

Along the way, Little Nightmares 3 looks and feels like an experience that is hard to ignore. If past trends in the series hold and the co-op elements feel as good to play as they seem, it could bully its way to the top of its co-op niche and potentially flirt with classic status.

Graphics and Gameplay

Little Nightmares 3 is captivating to the eye. 

That sounds a little cliché, but words don't necessarily do the experience justice here, as every little smudge of decision-making and detail here aims to grab attention through immersion, creating an atmospheric disquiet over the whole experience. 

A bizarre-yet-pleasing blend of claymation models in locales where the shadows and modern lighting overload and accentuate the varied environments accomplishes the task, to say the least. 

It's a world of monsters and reality-altered locations that would terrorize children. Think, less Alan Wake jump scares and horror and more something is off, fantastical horror that is super engrossing and unsettling. 

Controls are extremely simplistic, putting the onus for survival and success on not just figuring things out and properly timing actions, but clear communication between players. 

The two characters are distinct in many ways. Low is more of a ranged combatant when necessary and equipped with a bow and arrow, while Alone gets closer with a wrench. 

These differences apply to exploration and puzzle solving, too. Low's bow and arrow is handy for doing things like cutting ropes, while Alone can smash up obstacles or barriers. 

In combat, one of the sleeker gameplay elements players can use to get an advantage is through simple distraction. Hitting the button to get an enemy's attention might just open up a big attack (or escape) window for the player's co-op partner. 

Instant death is very much a thing here, yet a forgiving checkpoint system feels generous and removes some of the frustration. Many of the puzzles and combat encounters require constant communication, something failures really express consistently. 

In a change for the series, players can tackle the game with an AI companion. But it's very much still a co-op-centered experience and better for it, considering how well the whole game is designed around the idea of cooperating with another person during tense situations. 

Story and More

Low and Alone must traverse a nightmare dubbed "The Nowhere" while navigating puzzles and boss fights, seeking an escape. 

It's as simple as that, yet hardly simple, if that makes sense. Through its simplistic gameplay and sweeping, grand locations, Little Nightmares 3 majors in environmental storytelling. There's no need to hit players over the head with how dangerous something is in a grotesque carnival or in the seedy underbelly of a sewer. 

Call it a testament to the narrative embracing a childlike perspective on fear. The vulnerability felt at nearly every turn with only one other person to rely on in the moment is as captivating as it is unsettling. 

Beyond this, Little Nightmares 3 hits the usual suspects of video game design well with a healthy number of options tucked into the menus. As expected, it runs well on the modern hardware, too. 

Where Little Nightmares 3 steers away from standard video game design, though, is a highlight. 

In a super refreshing twist, the game offers a Friend's Pass that will let players invite a friend to play with them online, even if that friend doesn't actually own a copy of the game. It's just one of those little things that, while it might not become popular across the medium, really lends a heartfelt feel to the whole package. 

Conclusion

Little Nightmares III almost effortlessly climbs onto the co-op pedestal established in recent years alongside the likes of Split Fiction. 

A simplistic control scheme and generous game sharing are highlights because they so generously extend a hand to even non-gamers. When the real measure of success is clear communication and composure in the face of pressure and discomfort, a true co-op classic emerges. 

Little Nightmares III's visceral tone and ability to cause discomfort won't be for everyone, but it's an experience worth trying and won't be hard to find when players are ready, as it sits near the top of its niche for a long time.