Highlights

  • Little Nightmares 2 may not feel as fresh as the first game, but it still delivers a brilliant atmosphere and story that players will enjoy.
  • Yume Nikki, Lisa: The Painful, Omori, Inscryption, and Machinarium are all great games that fans of Little Nightmares 2 should check out for similar experiences.
  • Detention, Among the Sleep, Limbo, It Takes Two, Inside, Bendy and the Ink Machine, and Unravel are also worth playing for their unique gameplay mechanics and engaging stories.

Little Nightmares 2 was released in early 2021, and both horror and platformer fans have been enjoying it ever since. Continuing the story of the first game, Six teams up with Mono, the playable character in this installment, as the pair make their way through the Pale City to get to the Signal Tower. On their journey, they face many threats that are even scarier than the ones from the original title.

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Many gamers have already beaten Little Nightmares 2, however, and some may be on the hunt for a similar experience. The game is certainly unique in many ways, but that doesn't mean that there aren't other games like Little Nightmares 2 that fans of the title can enjoy.

Updated on February 24, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Little Nightmares is an atmospheric side-scrolling platformer that received a much-deserved sequel after the first game became a hit. This atmospheric title takes no prisoners, ensuring that players are scared out of their wits as they circumvent numerous challenges and get through each stage by the skin of their teeth. It's a game that will click with most players who like short and immersive experiences. It knows how to pace its scares and genuinely horrify players instead of delivering cheap frights. Most fans of this game will be glad to know that there are many other titles like it available to dive into.

14 Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk

A Clever, Unsettling Look At The Mind Of A Girl Wracked With Psychosis And PTSD

girl in Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk
Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk

Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch , PC
Released
November 11, 2022
Developer
Nikita Kryukov, Nikita Kaf Productions
Genre(s)
Visual Novel

Most visual novels need to do something unique and different to stand out from the rest of the games in this genre, and Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk certainly achieves the same. This short and horrifying visual novel takes an uncomfortable look at the psyche of a girl who is so wracked with anguish and trauma that the simple act of going to the grocery store becomes a nightmarish adventure in its own right.

Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk was a huge hit to the point where the developer released a sequel that expanded upon these concepts and then some. It's an engaging video game that fans can check out if they want to play through a visual novel that is terrifying and eye-opening at the same time.

13 Doki Doki Literature Club!

Breaks The Fourth Wall To Scare Players, Taking The Guise Of A Simple, Cliched Visual Novel

game art that shows all the girls from the game Doki Doki Literature Club
Doki Doki Literature Club!

Platform(s)
PC , PS Vita
Released
September 22, 2017
Developer
Team Salvato
Genre(s)
Visual Novel , Horror

Doki Doki Literature Club! is a game that takes on the guise of a cliche dating simulator where players enter a literature club and are introduced to four girls who have endearing personalities of their own. It's not until a rather traumatic occurrence that players realize what this game is all about.

This masterful subversion of the visual novel genre took the internet by storm, prompting the release of a paid enhanced version that was released on more platforms. Doki Doki Literature Club! scares are plentiful and beautifully crafted, so players with weak hearts should try and steel themselves before going on this journey, which is full of creepy twists and unnerving turns.

12 Yume Nikki

Explores A Hikikomori's Bizarre And Scary Dreams

Yume Nikki
Yume Nikki

Platform(s)
PC
Released
June 26, 2004
Developer
Kikiyama
Genre(s)
Adventure

Yume Nikki is one of the most legendary RPG Maker games of all time that developed a massive fanbase. Players control a hikikomori who prefers to drift off into her dreams instead of tackling reality, allowing gamers to witness a ton of trippy visuals and interact with many imaginative characters that reside in her subconscious.

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However, Yume Nikki doesn't shy away from disturbing elements that come out of nowhere, shocking players to their very core. This game can veer from something bizarre to extremely disturbing in no time flat, making it clear why so many fans still love this game even now.

11 Lisa: The Painful

In A World Devoid Of Women, A Possessive Father Goes On A Self-Destructive Quest To Save His Adoptive Daughter

nern guan lisa the painful
LISA: The Painful

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
December 15, 2014
Developer
Dingaling
Genre(s)
RPG

There's no denying that Lisa: The Painful is one of the funniest games that players can check out, with this title set in a post-apocalyptic world filled to the brim with some of the most eccentric and weird characters that can join Brad's party. However, the game doesn't shy away from some dark and disturbing elements when the situation calls for it.

Brad is a fascinating protagonist, mainly because he's not a good guy by any stretch of the imagination. In his attempts to shelter Buddy, he just ended up being too overprotective and didn't take her feelings into account.

10 Omori

A Boy Uses His Dreams As A Way To Escape From His Real-Life Trauma

Kel from Omori
OMORI

Released
December 25, 2020
Developer
Omocat
Genre(s)
Horror , RPG

Omori is one of the greatest modern RPGs, featuring a mind-bending plot, a cute art style, and one of the most unique integrations of horror seen in any game to date. Uncovering the story of Sunny and figuring out why he became a shut-in, to begin with, makes for a tantalizing tale as players help him face his trauma and become fast friends with the group once again.

The game is not for the faint-hearted and deals with many disturbing themes. The manner in which Sunny's traumatic past is uncovered makes for a great time, and that's not the only strength of this title. The music is simply sublime and conveys the light-heartedness of the world that Sunny retreats into while also becoming quite sinister as players explore the more horrific aspects of this game.

9 Inscryption

A Sinister Card Game Turns Into Something Wild And Bizarre Over The Course Of Its Three Arcs

inscryption to xbox
Inscryption

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , PS5
Released
October 19, 2021
Developer(s)
Daniel Mullins Games
Genre(s)
Roguelike , Deckbuilding

Inscryption is a game that will take many people by surprise, disguising itself as a regular card game before revealing its true nature in a horrifying manner that will shock players to their very core as they try to uncover the depths of this mystery. The gameplay elements of Inscryption are truly one-of-a-kind and worth checking out for fans of imaginative horror titles.

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The game is a great example of what indie developers can achieve with unshackled restrictions and boundless creativity. Fans of horror games owe it to themselves to check Inscryption out, especially if they are fans of Little Nightmares 2. However, gamers should keep in mind that this title can get pretty scary at times — even more so than Little Nightmares.

8 Machinarium

An Atmospheric Adventure Game With A Unique Art Style And Excellent Worldbuilding

Josef in Machinarium
Machinarium

Platform(s)
Android , Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , Xbox One , iOS , Linux
Released
October 16, 2009
Developer
Amanita Design, XGen Studios
Genre(s)
Puzzle , Indie Games , Adventure

Machinarium may not be a horror title, but the mysterious and engrossing nature of this world, coupled with its riveting art style, makes it a game that fans of unique adventure games should check out. The puzzles in Machinarium can be pretty challenging to overcome, but players who try out all the logical permutations and combinations should be able to get through this game without getting too frustrated.

What sells Machinarium is its expressive design and animation, making everything come to life in the best way possible. It takes something really special to make a steampunk world stand out with no humans whatsoever, and Machinarium manages to do exactly that while gripping players in a unique adventure that is entertaining from start to end.

7 Detention

An Unsettling Horror Game That's Not For The Faint Of Heart

Detention
Detention

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Switch
Released
January 12, 2017
Developer
RedCandleGames
Genre(s)
Horror

Set during the White Terror period of 1960s Taiwan, Detention is one of the scariest video games ever created. Its distinctive art style does an incredible job of creating a moody and unsettling atmosphere, while the fantastically designed Lingered pose an everpresent and terrifying threat for players to attempt to navigate.

Rarely do all of the elements of a game fit together quite as neatly as the ones found here, nor are there many other games capable of maintaining their suspense levels anywhere near as effectively. There are times when playing the game can feel a little like psychological torture, although gradually learning about the history of the cursed school while edging ever closer toward the inevitable tragedy arguably makes it all worthwhile.

6 Among The Sleep

The Perspective Of A Toddler Makes For A Creepy, Horrific Game That Will Send Chills Down A Player's Spine

Among the Sleep
Among the Sleep

Platform(s)
PC , PlayStation 4 , Xbox One , Nintendo Switch
Released
May 29, 2014
Developer(s)
Krillbite Studios
Genre(s)
Survival Horror , Action-Adventure

Krillbite Studio's fantastic survival horror title Among the Sleep came about following a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013, and it didn't disappoint. The decision to place players in the shoes of a toddler rather than a fully grown adult raises the stakes quite a bit when it comes to some of the game's darker moments, while the game's use of lighting, color, and sound is masterful at times.

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Granted, the story is a little short, and there aren't all that many truly scary moments, but a lot of the horror found in Among the Sleep is derived not from jump-scares but instead through implication. There are a few nice twists and turns in the narrative as well, while the alternate ending found in the enhanced edition of the game provides a harrowing conclusion that's befitting of such an excellent game.

5 Limbo

The Boy That Players Control Can Die In A Myriad Of Graphic Ways

Limbo title art with protagonist and spider
Limbo

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS3 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , PS Vita , Switch , PC , Android , iOS
Released
July 21, 2010
Developer(s)
Playdead
Genre(s)
Platformer

At the beginning of Little Nightmares 2, players have to avoid the dangers that Mono faces in a forest until he finally arrives at the cabin where he meets Six. Playdead's Limbo is another creepy platformer that takes place in a forest, and it boasts plenty of similar obstacles to the ones found in Little Nightmares 2.

Players control a young boy who needs to solve puzzles, with each one being harder than the last. It all makes for an excellent adventure that will keep the player glued firmly to the edge of their seat right through to the end of the game. The title also has a very simplistic yet unique art style that many will likely find appealing.

4 It Takes Two

The Miniaturized Couple Has To Deal With Everyday Critters And Threats That Are Now Humongous

It Takes Two
It Takes Two

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC , Switch
Released
March 26, 2021
Developer(s)
Hazelight Studios
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure

Although it's not a horror game by any means, It Takes Two should appeal to those who enjoyed the cooperative mechanics of Little Nightmares 2, as well as the unfolding relationship between Six and Mono. It's an engaging and entertaining experience, especially if players team up with a friend or loved one cooperatively as opposed to matching up with a random stranger online. There is a lot to see and enjoy in the beautifully designed world of It Takes Two.

Many can consider it a great foil to Little Nightmares 2, as it features the same premise of two small individuals trying to make their way through a larger-than-life world filled with danger and puzzles.

3 Inside

An Atmospheric Horror Platformer With A Ton Of Unsettling Events Around Every Corner

Inside - title art
Inside

Platform(s)
PC , Switch , PS4 , Xbox One , iOS
Released
June 29, 2016
Developer(s)
Playdead
Genre(s)
Puzzle , Platformer

Another game made by Playdead is Inside, which is basically Limbo's spiritual successor. In fact, many players think that it's even better than the studio's first game. The setting also shares more than a few similarities with Pale City from Little Nightmares 2, and the game even begins, once again, in a dark and daunting forest.

The unnamed protagonist of the game finds out that people are being controlled by researchers and uses one of their devices to manipulate the actions of others to solve the many puzzles found throughout the game. Like the Little Nightmares games, many things are up for interpretation, causing fans to create many theories as to what is actually happening.

2 Bendy And The Ink Machine

A Masterfully-Crafted Survival Horror Game That Has Become Legendary In Its Own Right

Bendy and the ink machine
Bendy and the Ink Machine

Platform(s)
Switch , PS4 Pro , Xbox One , PC , Android
Developer(s)
Joey Drew Studios
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

Bendy and the Ink Machine takes place in Joey Drew Studios, where cartoon characters such as Alice, Boris, and the Devil Darling himself can be found. Henry, a man who worked at the studio and created these characters, comes back to it years after leaving and finds that his creations have not only come to life but are also trying to murder him.

Players are placed in the shoes of Henry and must fight off the animated characters as they explore Joey Drew Studios in this awesome indie title. The daunting atmosphere does a wonderful job of creating suspense right through to the very end, and it's this ever-present tension that helped make the game such a big hit with both players and streamers alike upon its initial release.

1 Unravel

A Simple, Endearing Side-Scrolling Platformer Where Players Control A Sentient Piece Of Yarn

Unravel cover art with title and protagonist
Unravel

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
February 9, 2016
Developer(s)
Coldwood Interactive
Genre(s)
Puzzle , Platformer

If Little Nightmares didn't have any horror elements, it would be a lot like Unravel. As such, the game is great for those who don't want to be constantly freaked out but are still looking for an excellent and atmospheric adventure. They'll be controlling Yarny, a creature made out of yarn, as they explore the memories of an elderly woman.

Some of these memories are good, others are bad, but just about every aspect of this puzzle platformer is beautiful, both in its design and its presentation. The protagonist and his friends are charming, the controls are simple yet effective, and the soundtrack perfectly compliments everything that's going on onscreen.

little nightmares 2
Little Nightmares 2

Platform(s)
Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PS4 , PS5 , PC
Released
February 10, 2021
Developer(s)
Tarsier Studios , Supermassive Games
Genre(s)
Survival Horror , Puzzle , Action