Little Nightmares 3 Review | Still Great at Being Unsettling

Published: October 09, 2025
Platform Reviewed On: Switch 2
Price: $39.99
Clear Time: ~8 Hours

Scores:

• Story: 7/10
• Gameplay: 8/10
• Visuals: 8/10
• Audio: 7/10
• Value for Money: 7/10
  Overall: 74/100

What is Little Nightmares 3?

Little Nightmares 3 is the latest entry in the eerie, puzzle-platforming horror series that has captured players’ imaginations since 2017. Developed by Supermassive Games, this third installment introduces two new protagonists, Low and Alone, who explore the twisted world of Nowhere. Players will navigate dark environments, solve puzzles, avoid monstrous Residents, and uncover the strange mirror path connecting the world’s mysteries.

Unlike its predecessors, Little Nightmares 3 adds online co-op, allowing two players to experience the game together, although local co-op is absent. It also features updated combat mechanics and more cooperative gameplay, giving a fresh twist to the series’ classic blend of stealth, platforming, and environmental storytelling.

Little Nightmares 3 Gameplay

Playable Characters and Mechanics

• Low: Wields a bow, focused on ranged attacks.
• Alone: Uses a wrench for melee combat and interacting with objects.

Both characters have unique abilities, and puzzles often require cooperation between them. Players can switch between characters or play with a friend online. While this adds depth, the AI companion in single-player mode can be frustrating at times, occasionally getting stuck or failing to act when needed.

Puzzle and Platforming Design

Gameplay involves platforming, puzzle-solving, stealth, and chase sequences. Early levels are thrilling, with tight controls and carefully timed sequences. However, mid-game repetition can make some sections feel predictable. Some puzzles feel more like mechanical tasks than creative challenges, reducing the sense of wonder found in previous games.

Combat

Combat is light but more rhythmic than before. Low’s bow stuns enemies, while Alone’s wrench delivers finishing blows. These sequences emphasize cooperation and timing rather than brute force, maintaining the series’ theme of vulnerability.

Co-op Experience

Online co-op is a welcome addition, and using the Friend Pass system allows one player to join without owning the game. However, the lack of couch co-op diminishes the shared tension and emotional connection that would have enhanced the experience.

Story and Atmosphere

Little Nightmares 3 continues the series’ tradition of silent storytelling and surreal horror. The story follows Low and Alone through four chapters:

1. Necropolis: A desolate, sand-ravaged city with ruins and restless spirits.
2. Candy Factory: Bright colors decay into a sickly sweetness, filled with creepy machinery.
3. Carnivale: A grotesque circus where joy turns into dread.
4. The Institute: A cold, sterile environment with mysterious threats.

While the worldbuilding and visuals are superb, the story itself lacks the emotional depth of the first two games. Symbolism is present, but the characters often feel like vessels rather than fully realized voices.

The game excels at building tension through atmosphere rather than jump scares. Shadows, subtle sound cues, and environmental storytelling make players feel small and vulnerable. Moments of quiet, wordless interaction between Low and Alone add emotional resonance despite minimal dialogue.

Visuals and Audio

Visuals

Little Nightmares 3 is visually striking, with carefully crafted environments and a sense of depth in the 2.5D perspective. Lighting, shadow, and textures work together to create an unsettling yet beautiful world.

Some performance issues, such as frame drops in later chapters, slightly reduce the polish, but overall the art direction remains the series’ strongest feature.

Audio

The soundtrack complements the eerie visuals with subtle, haunting melodies. Environmental sounds—creaking wood, distant groans, and muffled footsteps—heighten tension. While sometimes predictable, the audio still effectively contributes to the atmosphere.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Tightened combat rhythm and platforming
• Strong visual storytelling and art direction
• Great sound layering and atmospheric design
• Online co-op and Friend Pass support

Cons:

• Repetitive mid-game sections
• Puzzles can feel mechanical and predictable
• Single-player AI companion can be frustrating
• No local co-op
• Story and characters feel less emotionally engaging

Value for Money

At $39.99, Little Nightmares 3 provides roughly 6–8 hours of gameplay. Collectibles and online co-op can extend replay value. The Expansion Pass ($20) adds two new chapters, potentially enhancing the narrative and gameplay. While the core game is solid, it doesn’t fully innovate beyond the series’ formula, so casual players might consider waiting for a sale.

Accessibility Options

Little Nightmares 3 includes a variety of accessibility features:

• Color-blind mode toggle
• Adjustable camera shake
• Highlighted interactable objects
• Adjustable font and brightness
• Controller and keyboard remapping
• Individual volume sliders for music, SFX, antagonists, and companions

These features make the game approachable for newcomers or those with visual challenges, though some issues with visibility and puzzle clarity remain.

Overall Impressions

Little Nightmares 3 is a haunting and beautifully crafted experience that remains faithful to the series’ unsettling charm. Its strengths lie in visual storytelling, atmospheric design, and cooperative gameplay, while its weaknesses include predictable puzzles, AI companion issues, and a less emotionally engaging story.

For longtime fans, it’s a worthwhile continuation that respects the world of Nowhere. For newcomers, it offers a visually compelling and eerie experience, though it may not reach the same emotional heights as the first two games.

Score: 74/100

Is Little Nightmares 3 Worth It?

Yes, but mainly for series fans or cooperative players. The game delivers eerie environments, tense gameplay, and a compelling visual and audio experience. However, its mid-game repetition, lack of local co-op, and less impactful storytelling may disappoint some players.

If you enjoy atmospheric horror, puzzle-platforming, and cooperative gameplay, Little Nightmares 3 is worth your time. Casual players or newcomers might consider waiting for a discount or the post-launch expansions for added value.

Where to Buy

• Steam: $39.99
• PlayStation 4/5: $39.99
• Xbox Series X|S: $39.99
• Switch/Switch 2: $39.99

FAQs

Little Nightmares 3 is a carefully built, eerie adventure that balances tension, visual storytelling, and cooperative mechanics. While it doesn’t fully reach the emotional heights of its predecessors, it remains a worthy, unsettling ride for fans and a solid introduction for newcomers.