One of the most influential horror games of the 2010s is the small indie hit known as Little Nightmares. I remember my experience with the original title and being sucked in by how it creatively made a horrific environment that was just as enticing as it was brutally morbid. How can the developers at Bandai Namco strike lighting twice by creating a worthy follow-up to an already impressive game? In 2021 they answered the question by creating a sequel that amps up the horror aspects we loved from the original game and crafting a story that, while familiar, is a journey worth tagging along for.
The player controls a boy called Mono as he and Six escape their prison and wash up in a creepy town known as Pale City. The two try to make it past the creepy inconveniences that await them while strolling through the city and avoiding the most creepy monster, known as the Thin Man, who can travel through television. Can the two of them make it out alive, or will they both end up being monster food?
This story had a lot to live up to, and luckily it succeeds even if some aspects might seem redundant. Like before, the player will be thrust immediately into an uncertain world where stealth is critical, puzzle solving is the norm, and ugly monsters try to hunt you down and eat you. It all seems by the numbers at first, but there are enough twists and turns that thankfully keep the narrative from feeling like a repeat of the last game. For example, adding a new main character that tags along with six (the little girl from the previous game) can create some excellent tension and pleasant character-building moments. The narrative is still just as scary and horrifying as an ordinary franchise player would expect. Still, the combination of old and new ideas keeps this sequel from being just another lame horror game.
The gameplay doesn’t stray far from the last installment, as many controls are similar to the previous game but with a few tweaks. The stealth missions are well laid out, and every level feels like a maze to walk back and forth to either find something like a collectible or escape a bloodthirsty monster. Sometimes the game will become intense, and things will really pick up speed forcing the player to make quick time decisions that will either get you out alive or kill you. Sometimes the leading player, Mono will have to work together with Six to get past certain areas, but no need to plug in a second controller with a second player as Six is programmed to aid you automatically. The gameplay doesn’t change much, but it doesn’t need to, as the tried and true formula seems to work just as well now as it did the first time.
The graphics have that vintage-like feel and uses grey blue hue colors for the dreary atmosphere to help its palette stand out from even the first game’s visuals. Instead of a vessel ship, the player will find itself in a broken old city that is long abandoned. It’s there where the player will traverse through places like a doctor’s office or even a school. The scary bits come once more from the brilliant atmosphere and creepy monsters letting everything sink in as the game progresses without relying too much on cheap jump scares. The game’s visuals sometimes feel familiar, but just enough is new and horrifying to keep players coming back for more.
The music has a subtle yet gloomy tune that works effectively in a hazardous environment. When the music picks up speed, that's a good sign that things are about to be tense and troubling. This music hits all the right notes, and though it is going by the numbers, it's clearly doing a great job going by the numbers.
So, is this game a masterpiece? I’m not sure I’d go as far as to say that, but it is an excellent follow-up that, while familiar at times, does bring the Little Nightmare franchise back into the limelight that will no doubt be just as terrifying as the last installment. I enjoyed my time playing this game, and if you are a little nightmares fan, chances are you will enjoy it too. Even non-fans don’t need to know about the first game to play this sequel, as it is a story that feels separate from the last adventure. There is no report if a third game is in development, but it would be great to see what horrific tales await the crew at Bandai Namco.
(Final Grade: B+)