In the latest edition of brobdingnagian horror, we take on the big bad world of Little Nightmares through a pair new eyes. Just when you thought that children had been through enough, this sequel only expands upon the horrific nightmare.
If you are interested in subtle storytelling and linear gameplay, filled with puzzles and obstacles, then Little Nightmares II, by developer Tarsier Studios and publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment, may be right for you. I think this is a type of game anyone can pick up and play, whether you are casual or frequent gamer. In fact, I would say the game is set up from the start to put all players on the same level.
We play as Mono, a child with a brown paper bag masking his face. Just like Six, Mono is a character of few words, some mumbled phrases, and some hidden secrets. We can observe that Mono is somewhat good natured by his desire to work with other survivors. The gnomes are also very friendly towards him, allowing him the chance to collect one of their hats – which you can wear instead of the paper bag. On that note, you are able to find and wear a dozen hats that you find in the world, including Six’s yellow hood.
Little Nightmares II continues the tradition of intuitive learning, making the player figure out the controls on the fly and frantically pushing buttons in heated moments. We begin our story in the forest, where we make several strange observations. There are all manner of traps for animal littered throughout the woods, and nothing but shoes remain. The first monster is a giant hunter with a sack cloth face. He collects his victims and fashions scarecrows from their remains. This antagonist is several times more dangerous than many of the monsters encountered by Six in her adventure. The hunter is packing heat and opens fire on you in the level’s chase scenes. It is a change of pace compared to our expectations of hiding.
As I mentioned before, Mono works with other survivors in his adventure. We encounter another child in the hunter’s house, and together manage to overcome puzzles together. Some actions include giving each other boosts, pushing heavy objects, and catching each other when we leap over hazardous drops. This child also stays beside us when we are running for our lives and dodging buckshot. Already, it feels like a less lonely experience as we are comforted by more than squirrely gnomes.
Everything just feels so big in this world, like Alice in Wonderland, and that really adds to overall aesthetic of the game’s setting. It’s creepy, it’s somber at times, and it’s strangely beautiful. Don’t get me wrong, I miss that big boat from the first game, but now I have the impression that world has opened up to us a lot more. The lighting is always a little dim and lantern light comes off warmer than in a normal situation. It may even come off as hot when the first monster is flashing a light in your direction.
If you are looking for a satisfying experience, whether you are a fan of the first game or an admirer of horror and puzzles, then this is a great fit for your gaming collection. I would say that the series does not deviate away from what made it great in the first place, but expands upon it. It will surprise you at times and make you wonder what is waiting around the corner. I think a fair rating for Little Nightmares II is a 10 out of 10. I did not come across anything that hurt my gaming experience; it is a polished piece of work and I still have goosebumps.
Check Out the Little Nightmares II Trailer:
Little Nightmares II is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and carries an MSRP of $39.99 on Nintendo Switch and $29.99 on all other platforms. For more information regarding Little Nightmares II and other titles from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. please visit https://www.bandainamcoent.com, follow on Facebook, or join the conversation on Twitter.
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I like to think of myself as the average Joe who grew up alongside video games. I have fun playing strategy games, RPGs, shooters, sandboxes, the whole shebang! Every game provides an experience whether it strikes you as profound, mundane, or someplace in between. I'd like to weigh in my two cents before you spend a single penny.
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