A Job According to Specifications That Might Appeal. A Review of Little Nightmares 3

It's evident that Supermassive Games attempted to create a game as close as possible to the first and second Little Nightmares, which were developed by Tarsier—the original creators of the series. It's a shame that it turned out to be just "close," rather than "better" or at least "on the same level." But at least they tried!

It can be immediately noted that to get acquainted with the third part of Little Nightmares and understand what is happening, it is not at all necessary to play the original game or its sequel, although it would be great for general development. After all, Little Nightmares is a deep and dark universe, the analysis of the features of which some bloggers devote lengthy videos, and even so, there is room for speculation and conjecture.

Little Nightmares 3 tells the story of Low and Alone—two children trying to escape from Nowhere, without falling victim to deadly traps or nightmarish creatures inhabiting this dark place. The key word is dark. Unlike the first two parts, Little Nightmares 3 does not frighten at all with the surrealism of the Pale City from Little Nightmare 2 or the grotesque of the Maw from the first part, but only tries to do something similar. And very ineptly.

The previous games instilled fear with the atmosphere and the fact that they left much to the player's imagination. The third part prefers not to resort to such sophisticated techniques, but does everything head-on. Well, what can scare an empty city, through the streets of which a giant doll wanders, stomping loudly? Or a candy factory run by a spider-like monster? Or a carnival where some fat freaks frolic on carousels?

There is no argument, in visual terms, the locations look impressive and well convey the gigantic scale of Nowhere and how tiny and vulnerable the heroes are. The problem is that a beautiful picture here is simply trying to hide empty content, and this is sad. After all, Supermassive Games clearly understands what visual storytelling is, as well as what people loved the games from Tarsier for.

In an attempt to surprise with the visual part, the developers completely forgot about optimization. The frame rate constantly sags even in simple scenes, and transitions from one room to another are often accompanied by lags; as if the game did not have time to load all the details and tries to do it on the fly.

But more annoying is the unresponsive control. The heroes regularly miss platforms and boxes in the process of jumping, or simply cannot grab onto ledges even if you press the corresponding button. Do not be surprised if, running away from the boss, you suddenly jump into the abyss, because the game decided not to register your efforts to press the jump.

Little Nightmares 3 is insanely short. In total, there are four locations in the game, each of which can be completed in an average of an hour—and this is taking into account the search for secrets. The developers promised to release additional content with new locations, which should delve into the story of Low, but it will be several months before it arrives.

Perhaps it would have taken more time to complete the game if the developers had tried to make the puzzles at least a little more difficult. Each problem in the path of the heroes almost immediately reveals a solution: a lever lying in the most visible place, or a completely inappropriate box located next to an open window. Moreover, part of the puzzles with dragging the same fuses are simply copied from the previous parts.

A really strong side of the project, to which there are absolutely no complaints, is the sound design and music. In places, Little Nightmares 3 really scares and makes you feel some kind of frightening discomfort, but not with the visual part, but precisely how the locations sound. Strange creaks, monotonous hum—processing an incomprehensible substance into sweets—mechanisms, the howling of the wind in a dead city, the wheezing and squealing of bosses. All this makes you literally fidget in your chair.

Little Nightmares 3 also wants to be praised for the cooperative mode. Yes, in Little Nightmares 2 there were also two heroes who helped each other in every possible way during their adventures, but the interactions were minimal. In the third part, a full-fledged cooperative appeared, where the heroes literally depend on each other and their abilities.

Low is armed with a bow and can use it both against some enemies and to open the way by shooting at buttons and flimsy ropes. Alone carries a wrench with her, capable of breaking through walls, activating mechanisms, or painfully hitting opponents on the head—if only Low stuns them with a bow first, of course.

Moreover, artificial intelligence copes with the role of a partner much better than a real player, especially in the battle with the last boss. The AI itself runs to activate buttons, pulls levers, and often suggests where to go next. Only once did I have to reload the save when the bot stubbornly did not want to give the fuse needed to activate the switch.

Diagnosis

Supermassive Games was tasked with making a new Little Nightmares—and they did it. Technically, this is indeed a new game, with new heroes and mechanics. However, fundamentally it is the same thing that we saw in the first and second parts. As if a product made according to a clear specification, devoid of soul.

If you are a big fan of Little Nightmares or just love dark games, then it is better to take the third part at a discount, or after the release of all the additions—perhaps then its duration will be satisfactory.