Releasing back in 2017, Tarsier Studios' Little Nightmares quickly became a cult classic for its eerie art design and premise, seeing players control Six, a young girl trapped on a boat filled with nightmarish monsters. Its sequel, Little Nightmares 2, is slated to hit shelves on February 11 and will see Six join forces with a new main protagonist called Mono, who players will control throughout the game's campaign.
With the sequel's release landing in just a few days' time, several publications have managed to get their hands on the upcoming horror platformer, posting reviews detailing their thoughts on the game. At the time of writing, over 50 reviews have been logged on Open Critic discussing Little Nightmares 2 and whether or not it's a worthy successor to its popular forebearer.
So, without further ado, what are critics saying about Little Nightmares 2? Has Tarsier Studios managed to knock it out of the park once again?
Game Rant (Dalton Cooper)
"Horror fans that enjoyed the first Little Nightmares game and weren't turned off by the short playtime will likely find a lot to like about Little Nightmares 2. It is a very similar game, but with some major quality of life improvements and new gameplay features that help to make it a more engaging experience. It's an easy recommendation for horror fans as well as those who are seeking out a unique puzzle-platforming game to play."
Score: 4/5
Game Informer (Jeff Cork)
"One of my favorite things about the first game was being introduced to a bizarre world and trying to determine Six’s place in it. It’s ambiguous enough to allow for multiple interpretations, and Little Nightmares II continues to invite speculation. There are new elements to consider, but I was still left with an abundance of questions after its shocking ending. Fans of macabre and sinister environmental storytelling, consider this your first essential title of 2021."
Score: 9.25/10
Twinfinite (Andrew McMahon)
"Chase sequences and the overall ambiance are as bone-chilling and thrilling as ever, while puzzles are even more challenging and satisfying to complete thanks to the tragic duo of Mono and Six. Even if you aren’t a horror fan, I’d highly recommend you play Little Nightmares II, as it currently sits as my favorite game of 2021 so far."
Score: 4.5/5
Destructoid (Jordan Devore)
"After finishing Little Nightmares II once, I'm searching for time to go back and soak it in even more (while hopefully finding all of the collectible hats and "glitching remains" I missed). Much of the game rivals the original's high points, and it's far more well-rounded. I had an overwhelmingly great experience. Whether you're a seasoned survivor or an all-new player, you'll have a thrilling time with the sequel. It's ideal to start from the beginning, but it's not mandatory – this freaky story stands on its own."
Score: 8.5/10
GamesRadar (Leon Hurley)
"The first three quarters or so of Little Nightmares 2 are packed with enough creative pops of brilliance and an amazing, malevolent character that it outweighs the issues. They're frustrating but surmountable, with the exceptional moments more than enough reward for pushing through. The only reason I'm not marking it any higher is that the final act lacks any sort of character as high as the bar set by previous levels. After the excellent opening hours the conclusion is... fine. There are some good puzzles and things to take in, it just lacks the punch of a memorable antagonist compared to earlier encounters. Even without a really impactful ending however, there's still a great, creepy, weird, and memorable game here with moments that will bother you long after it's done."
Score: 4/5
Push Square (Sammy Barker)
"Little Nightmares II is worth experiencing for its art direction alone, although its hand cramping controls can be an obstacle at times. The title relies far too heavily on trial and error, which frustrates, but many of its encounters will live with you long after the credits roll, and so it’s successful at creating a lasting impression. It’s a stiff and rigid release, but its puzzles are constantly reinventing themselves, and each frame draws you in with its surreal and unsettling imagery."
Score: 6/10
Eurogamer (Vikki Blake)
"All of which leads me to something of a conundrum. While my every instinct is to tell you that Little Nightmares 2 is a frustrating encounter that's likely better watched than played, I can't help but admit I love it - fervently and ferociously - even if it was such an unmitigated ballache to play to completion."
Score: N/A
Polygon (Austen Goslin)
"When Little Nightmares 2 sticks to the things it does best, it’s a great horror game that feels entirely unique in its scares. Almost everything, from Mono’s perspective as a tiny, almost-powerless character in a giant world, to the grotesque monster designs, to the mysterious city that’s been taken over by its televisions, combines to create a wonderfully upsetting world that I didn’t want to stop exploring, even after the game ended."
Score: N/A
Overall, it looks as though the sequel has been a massive hit with reviewers, many of whom have claimed it's an exceptional horror game with inventive puzzles and tense platforming gameplay. As with the last title, the art direction has been praised by a number of publications, citing its unsettling locals and array of monsters as giving the game a unique aesthetic that separates it from most games of its ilk. Its story is also celebrated as being a fun continuation of the original Little Nightmares while simultaneously offering a solid standalone tale that can be enjoyed whether players were fans of the first game or never played it at all.
The major criticism seems to be the game's heavy reliance on trial and error, with players having to die several times before figuring out the rules of a puzzle or boss encounter. The same issues were raised when discussing the first Little Nightmares, so for those who found the original frustrating, this could be a dealbreaker when it comes to the sequel. As it stands, the game's PlayStation 4 version is currently pulling in an 84 on Metacritic, tying it up for the highest-rated PS4 game of 2021 with Hitman 3.
It's early days for Little Nightmares 2, however, so expect that number to fluctuate as more reviews for the highly-anticipated horror game are posted. As it stands though, it seems the game is going down a treat with reviewers, bringing Little Nightmares back to screens with a bang.
Little Nightmares 2 will be available on February 11 for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X versions also in development.