Little Nightmares III Review: Co-op Horror Returns With Mixed Reactions

A Dark Journey Continues

Little Nightmares III is back to pull players into its haunting world of childhood fears. Developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the game launched on October 9, 2025, and brings a new cooperative twist to its signature horror-puzzle formula. Players follow Low and Alone, two best friends trapped in the unsettling expanse of the Nowhere, fighting to survive using their distinct tools — a bow and a wrench — across atmospheric landscapes.

Gameplay and Co-op Experience

The third entry builds on the eerie tone of its predecessors while introducing online co-op for the first time. You can play solo with an AI partner or join a friend online, using teamwork to solve puzzles and outsmart grotesque Residents scattered throughout the Spiral.

Yet this new feature is the very thing dividing the community. Many expected local couch co-op, but it’s online-only, a decision that disappointed a portion of the fanbase. One reviewer wrote:

“We just kept hearing about CO OP and I bought this to play on the couch with my mom. Low and behold there is no local co op. Played for an hour and a half. There are so many mechanics related to your ‘companion’ I'm not going to play with a stranger online and the COOP mechanics are absolutely cumbersome playing it solo.”

Still, others appreciate the ambition and emotional connection between the characters. One positive review noted:

“Exploring The Spiral is creepy and exciting, and the addition of two playable characters, Low with his bow and Alone with her wrench adds real variety to puzzles and movement. It feels like the devs actually listened to what players wanted and gave the series a much needed coop spark.”

Visuals and Performance

Visually, Little Nightmares III delivers exactly what fans expect — moody lighting, twisted environments, and disturbing creature design. The gloomy fairgrounds, ruined factories, and endless corridors look stunning, particularly on PC.

A player praised its optimization:

“The game looks stunning on PC. Every environment oozes atmosphere… On a mid-range PC like mine, it runs great at high settings, and even the Steam Deck holds a solid 30 frames on lower settings.”

Performance hiccups exist, though: some players reported frame-rate drops in busy areas, and the platforming still feels a little clunky, a leftover issue from earlier titles.

Community Reactions

As of this writing, 74 percent of Steam reviews are positive, but opinions vary sharply. Some players voiced frustration over design simplicity and the lack of innovation:

“Wouldn't Recommend the game… puzzles super simple, enemies boring… for nearly $40 not worth it.”

Others highlighted how the game’s slower pace affects its tension:

“Because the gameplay is heavily focused on cooperation, the horror direction is also more restrained than before, often leading to moments of boredom rather than tension.”

Still, the humor and chaos that come from co-op moments resonate with many:

“Watched my friend get crushed to death by a baby. He then requested a refund. Played with my son and watched him cry due to the baby. Got pay back on that bich. 10/10 recommend.”

And then there’s the now-infamous critique of IGN’s review:

“IGN giving Little Nightmares III a 6/10 is downright embarrassing… The lack of effort is embarrassing, it’s like they were reviewing a trailer, not the actual game.”

That single quote alone has become emblematic of how deeply this series connects with its community.

Deluxe and Premium Editions

Players seeking extra content can opt for the Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes:

• Secrets of the Spiral Expansion Pass (two extra chapters)
• Ferryman Costumes Set
• Residents Costumes Set

These additions expand on the eerie lore and give returning fans more to uncover within the Spiral.

System Requirements

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 11
• CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
• RAM: 8 GB
• GPU: Nvidia GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580
• Performance: Low 1080p @ 60 FPS

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 11
• CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
• RAM: 12 GB
• GPU: Nvidia RTX 2080 / AMD RX 6800
• Performance: High 1080p @ 60 FPS

Final Thoughts

Little Nightmares III walks a fine line between atmospheric brilliance and design compromise. Its haunting world, cinematic lighting, and emotional co-op storytelling make it one of the year’s most intriguing horror experiences — yet the absence of local co-op and a few pacing issues hold it back from true greatness.

Still, the inclusion of the Friends Pass, allowing a friend to play the full game without owning it, is a standout move that embodies what co-op gaming should be about.

“The Friends Pass lets you play the entire game with a friend even if they don’t own it. It’s a genuinely player-friendly move that should slowly become the norm now.”

For fans of eerie adventures and melancholic storytelling, Little Nightmares III remains a journey worth taking — just don’t expect to share the couch.