Like you, hardcore gamer, I’ve played many multiplayer and co-op games over the years. Specifically, Portal 2, Overcooked 2, Moving Out, and Resident Evil 6 (don’t laugh).
As you know, it’s not always easy asking someone for their time to play a game together, but Little Nightmares III is about to change all that.
Developed by Supermassive Games, which has deep experience in horror and multiplayer titles, it’s a different studio from Little Nightmares I and II (Tarsier Studios), and presents a completely new, original story. I’ve never played the first two and didn’t know what to expect from the preview, but was pleasantly surprised despite its derelict setting.
ONE Esports spoke with Coralie Fenniello from Supermassive Games, Producer of Little Nightmares III, in a media roundtable to find out more about what players can expect from the game that comes out in 2025.
I unexpectedly fell in love with Little Nightmares III during our playthrough
Little Nightmares III is an atmospheric adventure game that follows the journey of two best friends, Low and Alone, as they seek a way out of the eerie realm known as Nowhere. Players can team up online in pairs or go solo with AI assistance to solve puzzles and survive in this nightmarish landscape.
During the media preview, I got the chance to experience both modes. During the paired session, I played Alone, the female character with two orange pigtails, while my partner played Low, the boy with the crow hat.
Coralie shared that shape was the first thing the team looked at when designing these characters for Little Nightmares III, for it was important to give them “their own flavor and their own personality.” As for why they’re named Low and Alone, we’ll have to play the game to find out when its released.
“Both characters are so fragile and we create them small in a world that is really not made for them. You are children in a world that is created for adults, for monster adults,” she added.
In Candy Factory, my partner and I preempted each other when we were tying to push limits by jumping of a pipe, for example. At other times, we worked together to solve puzzles, systematically eliminating possibilities and figuring out solutions together.
The more challenging “bosses” needed more time for us to get through. At other times, we needed to use our tools individually — Alone with a wrench, Low with a bow — to open up new areas.
“It’s very important to keep the tension and scariness of the game very high. We have the wrench and bow and arrow, and they do help them to defend themselves but only against small enemies. You will not be able to do anything against the big monsters,” said Coralie, emphasizing that they’re not weapons.
During the AI assistance session, I still had a partner, but I had to take the lead. At times, when I needed to pause to look around at what I should do, my AI partner gave me hints by placing itself in a location but without being too obvious, which I appreciate. You can also press a button to call them over for a two-person job when you’re pulling or pushing heavy objects.
Based on the preview, I have to say, Little Nightmares III hits the sweet spot for me in terms of level of difficulty within a co-op. I enjoyed the immersion, imagery, twistedness, atmosphere, and sound design too.
Speaking from experience, I hate puzzle games that are too difficult or too unobvious that I get stuck. I’m then forced to tab out, find a solution online, then tab back into the game to execute it, which breaks the immersion. It’s therefore no surprise that I haven’t fully completed a single platform puzzle game in my Steam library yet.
Little Nightmares III could be the first I actually finish, hopefully with a friend that’s not AI-powered. It shrinks “nightmare” to a small yet profoundly meaningful level, for it’s not based on typical horror elements, but rather, our own childhood fears. Without dialogue, using only imagery, it speaks to players in new, thought-provoking ways.
Little Nightmares III releases in 2025 on Xbox One, Xbox X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4.
READ MORE: The 3 best new features in Tales of Graces f Remastered are total game-changers
