By Billy Jones Jr.
One of the most anticipated gaming sequels of 2025, Little Nightmares 3 still holds the same core values that made the previous games so memorable. Little Nightmares 1 and Little Nightmares 2 were known for their breathtaking imagery and haunting ambience. Little Nightmares 3, developed by Supermassive Games keeps the same charm as the previous games , yet added something that surprised long-time fans, which was a co-op experience.
However, this meant the game wouldn’t have the same eerie “stranded” feel like its predecessors had.
Little Nightmares 3’s visual artistry drags you in from the very first scene. The game’s new setting, the Spiral, has twisted architecture that feels grotesque, alive, and dreadful. Monsters lurk just out of sight; light flickers through dim hallways, and every creak and whisper feels intense due to the 4D sound designs. The art direction of the game is still its best feature, demonstrating that the eerie beauty of the series has not diminished.
[cut for Issue 3] Players can now share the “nightmare” with a friend for the first time ever in the series. To promote cooperation, Low and Alone each carry special tools: a wrench and a bow. However, cooperation frequently seems more like an extra thing than a requirement. The AI companion occasionally finds it difficult to keep up when playing alone, and the majority of puzzles can be solved with little cooperation. However, the thought of traveling through this world together gives it a fresh taste, particularly for fans who have always wished to the same terror with a friend or family.
Little Nightmares 3 succeeds in tone and atmosphere. Even though it doesn’t always surprise you, it’s a world worth exploring. [cut for Issue 3] The ending hints to darker mysteries that have yet to be revealed. The music, lighting, and environmental storytelling are still excellent. However, some fans might be left wanting more with a campaign this short.
Little Nightmares 3 is a visually stunning continuation that plays it too safely. It’s eerie, emotional, and haunting in all the right ways, but it’s just not as bold or memorable as it could have been. For fans of the series, it’s still worth the trip back into the nightmare. For newcomers, it nearly feels like a spin-off or its predecessors.
The hauntingly beautiful, tense, and unnerving world that Little Nightmares 3 offers is evidence that the series’ atmosphere is still very much present. However, despite its beautiful graphics and layout, the experience feels small. It falls short of the emotional depth and creativity of previous entries due to its short runtime and underutilized co-op mode. Though it’s not the evolution fans were hoping for, it’s a good return to “the nightmare”.
