If you are fond of indie horror games, Little Nightmares 3 dares you to face the darkness once again. Read our full review to know if the game is worth playing or should it be skipped??
Released on October 10, 2025, and developed by Supermassive Games under Bandai Namco, Little Nightmares 3 continues the eerie legacy of a series that turns childhood fears into haunting visual stories. With the original developers, Tarsier Studios stepping aside, many fans were worried. Thankfully, Supermassive Games understood the assignment. And managed to do justice to the franchise- almost! The game feels instantly familiar, preserving that same blend of dread, melancholy, and fragile innocence that defines the franchise.
From the moment it launched, opinions were split. Some players praised the art direction and atmosphere, while others called it repetitive, short and too easy. So, how does it really hold up when played without the critic noise? Let’s look at both sides so that you know if you should buy Little Nightmares 3 .
The Negatives
The most common complaint centers around price and length. Little Nightmares 3 has four main chapters instead of five, and that gave people the impression it was shorter than before. Yes, there are two more chapters that comes with the DLCs but you need to pay extra for them, and this really seems like a cashgrab.
However, putting this aside, the reality is that all three games in the series take about three to four hours to complete. The total playtime hasn’t changed much, and this is why the smaller chapter count makes it feel less substantial. However, for those who are still not willing to pay full price, waiting for a discount might be the smart move for anyone not deeply attached to the series.
The new co-op system is another mixed bag which is causing a lot of frustration especially since it does not allow couch co-op. When played solo, your AI companion can sometimes lag behind or fail to react at the right time. These moments can break the immersion and cause unnecessary frustration during critical chases or puzzle segments. The AI is not broken, but it occasionally creates small irritations that might want to make you throw your controller or your keyboard.
Finally, some players feel the puzzles are simple and straightforward. However, this is not entirely true if you compare it to Little Nightmares 1 instead of Little Nightmares 2. This has always been part of the series’ design philosophy, but it might disappoint players who expect the complexity of other indie puzzle games like Inside or Limbo. The focus remains on survival, not problem-solving, so buying the game expecting too complex puzzles will only lead to frustration.
The Positives
Where Little Nightmares 3 truly shines is in its presentation and consistency. The visual design is stunning. Every environment feels handcrafted, with lighting and camera work that elevate even slow sequences into something cinematic. The monsters and boss fights are definitely worth it- they make you feel helpless, but once you manage to defeat them, you get a deep feeling of satisfaction. Little Nightmares 3 is definitely among of the most visually polished indie horror titles of the year, and that alone makes it worth exploring.
Supermassive Games deserves credit for staying loyal to the original tone. The change in developer could have easily changed the personality of the franchise, but it did not. In fact, you wont even know that the game is made by a different team unless you were told. The pacing, tension, and world-building definitely feels authentic. The music and sound design add emotional depth, enhancing the mood without overwhelming it.
The boss encounters are another highlight. Each one feels like a mini emotional rollercoaster, beginning with quiet dread, escalating into panic, and ending with relief. These sections deliver exactly what fans expect: that perfect mix of fear and satisfaction.
To Sum It Up
Little Nightmares 3 does not do anything new that can reinvent the series, and that is perfectly fine. It builds upon what made the earlier games great, keeping the signature visual storytelling and emotional tension intact. The experience is short but satisfying, and this is why it is safe to say that it is one of the best indie horror games released this year. It is beautiful yet haunting, and consistent with what fans have come to love.
If you are new to the franchise, the price might not justify the playtime, since you can get 3 or 4 AAA games on sale at the same price. Therefore waiting for a sale makes sense. However, if you already love Little Nightmares for its atmosphere and artistry, this is another memorable entry that you shouldn’t wait before diving into.
For those craving something fresh, the original developers are returning with Re-Animal, set to release in early 2026. You can check out the Re-Animal demo here.
Our rating for Little Nightmares 3: 8 out of 10 stars… definitely among the best indie horror games of 2025
