Little Nightmares III

A worthwhile creepy co-op puzzle-platformer whose brilliantly crafted, grotesque world is the real star, with carefully lit environments and rich, speculation-inviting atmosphere. The gameplay is intentionally simple light puzzles over a short 5-6 hour runtime, and the co-op potential is underused, hampered by the lack of local couch play and no way to switch between solo and co-op saves. Recommended, especially for those wanting a spooky adventure with a friend.

New developer Supermassive plays it too safe, delivering a rote first half that feels like a tribute act before the game finds its rhythm. It revives the series' every frustration, woolly controls, poor platforming perspective, trial-and-error checkpoints, and disappointingly basic puzzles that underuse the dual protagonists. Yet the artistry is striking and a strong mid-game uptick into vividly realized final chapters makes for a grimly compelling adventure all the same.

The weakest entry in the franchise, with a vibe, flow, and pacing that don't feel as rock solid as the previous two games, and progression that feels clunkier and more trial-and-error. The online-only co-op with no couch play is a baffling miss, and the simple wrench-and-bow interactions rarely get deep. Still, strong mood, atmosphere, standout set-piece areas, and a satisfying simple story make it a recommendable short play, ideally on sale.

Little Nightmares 3 successfully mirrors the grotesque horror and clever puzzles of the series while introducing co-op gameplay, though it plays it safe with limited originality and familiar puzzle design. The solo experience with a reliable AI companion is the preferred way to play.

Two reviewers give this co-op platformer 6/10 and 7/10 respectively. While they appreciate the new two-character co-op mechanics, visual atmosphere, and replayability, they criticize the short length (3.5-6 hours), absence of couch co-op, simplified puzzles, loss of dark atmosphere, and weak story progression compared to previous entries.