Little Nightmares 3 Co-Op Preview: Supermassive’s Haunting Test of Patience

Supermassive Games’ takeover of the Little Nightmares series raised eyebrows among fans. The studio is known for cinematic horror and the Dark Pictures anthology, but gameplay depth has never been its strongest suit. Tarsier Studios left behind a sturdy framework, and during a PAX West preview event, the new team proved it can mimic that framework with eerie precision. Little Nightmares 3 nails the macabre atmosphere and experiential storytelling that define the series. It feels like Little Nightmares, not Supermassive’s Little Nightmares. That is a compliment.

The preview followed Low and Alone, two children trapped in a nightmare realm called The Nowhere. Like Hazelight’s It Takes Two and Split Fiction, each protagonist has unique mechanics for combat and puzzle-solving. Low carries a bow and arrow. Alone wields a large wrench. The game keeps the series’ 2D perspective, but now two characters share the screen.

Character
Tool
Role

Low
Bow and arrow
Ranged attacks, distant switches, boosting Alone

Alone
Large wrench
Smashing barriers, melee combat, receiving boosts

For the most part, the co-op experience flowed smoothly. Familiar puzzle and platforming mechanics returned. Both players push open doors or move heavy boxes. Low can boost Alone to high places or activate switches from afar. Alone can smash barriers and take out enemies. It is slower-paced than Split Fiction, but exploring creepy environments with a friend had its charms.

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