Little Nightmares 3 Introduces Co-op and a New Developer

Little Nightmares 3 surprised fans at Gamescom Opening Night Live with the announcement of co-op gameplay and a change in developers. Supermassive Games will be taking over from Tarsier Studios for this installment, and the addition of co-op was a highly requested feature from the community.

In a hands-off preview, I had the chance to see how the co-op mechanics work and learn more about the game’s direction from Coralie Feniello, Producer at Bandai Namco EU, and Wayne Garland, Game Director at Supermassive Games.

Co-op Takes Center Stage

The pre-alpha build showcased a section of the game set in a desolate desert city called Spiral. This is where players will experience the co-op gameplay and encounter various puzzles.

Feniello explained that co-op was a natural progression for the series and a highly requested feature from the community. However, it was crucial for the developers to maintain the essence of Little Nightmares and not compromise on its design or atmosphere.

Garland echoed this sentiment, stating that co-op was the “next evolutionary step” for the franchise. He also emphasized that single-player mode would still be available, with players able to choose one character while the AI controls the other.

It’s worth noting that once players choose their character at the start of the game, they won’t be able to switch between them during the story.

A Shift in Atmosphere?

While the initial teaser trailer generated excitement, the gameplay footage shown during the presentation left me with mixed feelings. The co-op mechanics seemed generic, with each character having their own specific item for solving puzzles. The gameplay lacked the inventiveness and intrigue that made the previous Little Nightmares titles stand out.

Furthermore, the introduction of weapons in the game detracts from the vulnerability and helplessness that defined the series. The addition of combat elements takes away the constant fear and tension of what lurks around every corner.

However, it’s important to remember that this was a pre-alpha build, and there is still time for improvements and refinement before the game’s release in 2024.