Since I’ve never played Little Nightmares, this review of the sequel won’t answer the question of what’s improved and if it’s better than the first part. That said, I’m sure Little Nightmares II is a good starting point and you don’t have to play the original to enjoy it. Those who did will be pleased with the return of protagonist Six, but this time she’s a non-playable character with whom you travel through surreal and terrifying landscapes. You play as Mono, a young boy trapped in a disturbing world where you must help him find a way out of the madness. Both characters are children, but they are small compared to their surroundings, with most door handles out of reach and adults dominating the entire screen. These adults are often a nightmare because they will do anything to prevent you from escaping.
The gameplay is a combination of exploring, platforming, puzzle solving and fighting. According to the press material I received along with the game, the choice and use of weapons is new in this sequel. Objects like a hammer or a trumpet will help you take out small enemies. They take some getting used to though, as they are larger than the character itself and require precise timing between the moment you press the action button and the moment the character swings and attacks. Even in the later levels of the game, I had trouble getting the timing right, and it can be frustrating to have to repeat sequences over and over again. Fortunately, the checkpoint system is pretty forgiving, so the chances of being stuck in one spot for a long time are pretty slim, but it’s still annoying. I can’t help but feel that dropping the battles would have been a better gameplay decision, but it’s not the focus of the game, so it wasn’t a huge drawback in the long run.
The real fun of the game lies in exploring different environments and solving puzzles. The game does its best to make you feel smart while you figure out what to do next. From time to time, there are small visual cues, especially from your companion, Six. It often points to a specific place on the screen and indicates that something needs to be done there. She can help you by pushing you to higher platforms, and sometimes she can pick up an object and give you instructions on what to do next. Overall, she adds something to the story and we feel responsible for her safety. It reminded me of the PS2 classic, ICO, , where you can call him and even hold his hand. Such a connection offers a small ray of hope in a dark and gloomy world.
It may look like a simple 2D platformer with side-scrolling screens and even some video, but each level has great depth. You can go in and out of the screen, and it may reveal some secrets here and there. You’ll also find new hats for your main character, which do nothing more than allow you to change your costume. There are also dark silhouettes that look like static images of a TV station that has disappeared. If you find them all, maybe something cool will happen? Suffice it to say that you can take your time exploring the species if you want to, and I did for the first half of the game, but there’s nothing in most areas, so I spent the second half muddling through a bit.
Graphically the game is very dark and horrible, but in a good way! You won’t find many colors here, mostly browns and grays, but the lighting is excellently placed to create a dimly lit environment with shadows in all the right places. Kudos to the designers for creating a world that is absolutely scary from start to finish. There are some beautiful environments as you progress, and one of my favorites is the second area, which is set in a city full of skyscrapers. The way the tall buildings curve upwards looks like something Tim Burton would have made up. Then there are the creepy mannequins with body parts everywhere, hanging from the ceiling and placed in strange positions. I held my breath as I walked through these parts of the game, waiting to be grabbed. This is probably what works best in this game: the anticipation of a terrible event is almost worse than the actual event.
The enemies are just as scary, especially the creepy adult characters. In the first stage you meet a hunter who is tearing apart an animal in his barn with his tools. Try to sneak up behind him as fast as you can. Eventually he will discover that you are trying to escape from his house, and he will come after you. The feeling of fear and adrenaline rushes through your body as you have to run as fast as your little legs can carry you to hide behind cover while he fires his gun at you. The chases in the game are pretty intense and will give you the cold sweats. The animation of all the enemies is outstanding. In one scene, a hunter fires his gun, and while he takes his time reloading, you have to run into walls, and while my eyes wanted to enjoy all the details of his animation, I had to focus on getting away from that place as quickly as possible. One of the most terrifying enemies can also be found at the beginning of the game, it’s the professor. Believe me, you don’t want to bother her, especially since the slightest sound she hears will make her head spin and, well, I don’t want to spoil a terrible surprise, but believe me, it’s not something you want to endure!
The game’s soundtrack adds to the immersive atmosphere. Unlike some games where music is constantly playing in the background, Little Nightmares II is ideal for certain scenes that remain quiet. There are moments of calm and confidence in the game when you’ve managed to get to safety, but when you’re being chased and have to hide from prying eyes, the game picks up the musical score and your heartbeat can be felt in the controller. If you make the slightest mistake, the music plays and you only have a few moments to find a way to run away, hide or face the consequences. The soundtrack plays the right notes at the right time and helps sell the experience.
Where the game stumbles a bit, and I’ve already alluded to this in the battles, is in the gameplay department. Unlike precision platformers like Celeste, Little Nightmares II is a bit slow for many of the things you do. In a way, it reminds me of the somewhat sloppy controls in the Little Big Planet games. Due to the 3D environment, it can sometimes be difficult to perfectly align jumps from one platform to another, causing unnecessary deaths. Some puzzles become a bit more difficult because the controls are not as precise as they should be. I understand the developers’ goal: after all, you’re a little kid lugging around huge objects, and they wanted it to be heavy, slow, and boring. Well, they have done it in abundance, but who wants to play an entire game that is heavy, slow and cumbersome? Fortunately, the game does what it’s supposed to do. You care enough about the main characters to keep playing and see what happens, despite some control issues. The commands are intentionally heavy and slow, which adds to the tension as you attempt a seemingly impossible jump. But if you keep dying in a sequence that is clearly a matter of control and not your fault, patience begins to wear thin.
Despite some minor gameplay missteps, Little Nightmares II is a fascinating journey into a creepy world full of terrifying images and enemies that you’ll remember for a long time. There’s a lot to love here, especially for those who like horror games. Even if you’re not a fan of the genre, this is just a game to test the waters for the lack of gore. There are a few unsettling bits, but nothing too crazy, and with the emphasis on puzzle solving, stealthy travel and the occasional chase, there’s something for everyone.
Little Nightmares II Report
- Graphics – 8.5/10
- Sound – 8/10
- Playability – 6/10
- Late Call – 7.5/10
8/10
Final thoughts: GREAT
Little Nightmares II absolutely succeeds in creating a dark and desperate atmosphere with its detailed graphics and sinister music. Despite not having a storyline or narrative told through text, the game somehow manages to make you care about the main characters and help them escape to a better life. Clumsy combat and sloppy controls keep the game from being what it could have been, but there’s enough there to recommend it wholeheartedly.
Craig has been involved in the video game industry since 1995. His work has been published in various media. He is currently editor-in-chief and contributor to Age of Games.
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frequently asked questions
Are little nightmares 2 scary?
While the previous game already had a scary atmosphere, Little Nightmares 2 is even scarier, so much so that it can be emotionally crippling. … He befriended a young girl, Six, who was the protagonist of the first game. You have survived a terrifying adventure where survival is never guaranteed.
Is it worth buying Little Nightmares?
Short answer: Little Nightmares is a very short game, but it’s definitely worth playing if you’re a horror fan.
Are there any scary jumps in Little Nightmares 2?
There are no traditional jump-scares in Little Nightmares II.
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