It was, for a few days, difficult for me to figure out exactly why my time with Reanimal was so exciting. When it was first announced by Tarsier Studios, the team behind Little Nightmares 1 and 2, I thought it was striking how much it resembled the team’s prior series–one which had since been handed to Supermassive. I played both Supermassive’s Little Nightmares 3 and Tarsier’s Reanimal in the same week, and though my time with Reanimal was limited to a demo of about 20 minutes, I came away much more impressed by it than I was by Little Nightmares 3.
As I wrote in my Little Nightmares 3 review, I liked the game. It’s good; it looks gorgeous like the others, and as the first in the series to offer co-op, it offers a welcome change of pace from what was otherwise a very familiar experience. But I was floored by Reanimal’s demo, which is now available publicly during the latest iteration of Steam Next Fest.
For a few days, I’ve been wrestling with why Reanimal is so much more immersive and affecting. They both have excellent, full-bodied audio design that toys with creaks, echoes, and unsettling stillness expertly. Generally, their puzzle designs are similar too, with both offering optional co-op (or an AI ally) as players work together to survive a hostile land of monsters that come in various shapes and sizes.
This sounds like an intriguing game! It’s always exciting to see new developments in the gaming world, especially when they build on beloved experiences like Little Nightmares. Looking forward to hearing more about it!
Absolutely, it really does look promising! The blend of atmospheric storytelling and innovative gameplay mechanics is something that can elevate the whole experience. I’m curious to see how it compares to the eerie charm of Little Nightmares as well!