Don’t Touch that Dial - Little Nightmares 2 Review

Developer: Tarsier Studios | Platform: PS5 | Playtime: 5:40 | Platinum: 5:45

My original plan here was to wait for the leaked Little Nightmares PS5 oirt and then play both games in the lead up to Little Nightmares 3. The former hasn’t materialised and the latter is delayed until 2025 so that plan was a little scuppered. With Sony putting the game on PS Plus, I just caved and played it now. It’s not a bother though as Little Nightmares 2 is a really fun experience.

You play as a young boy by the name of Mono, who seems to have a connection to a strange door as well as the TVs of the world. Shortly into the journey he finds Six, the protagonist of the first game. Together they make their way to the Pale City. There’s not so much a narrative to follow in the game as there is connected events and lore. Most of the information on this world is found in the Comics and Audio Drama released outside. Despite this, the lack of dialogue does nothing to hinder the physical story telling the game does. I can’t deny though, on a surface level this is just four levels connected almost arbitrarily. I suppose it works, there’s a goal and this is just how the protagonists get there.

Gameplay in Little Nightmares is primarily puzzle solving with physics objects. Your tiny frame means you will climb bookcases and swing on cloth, push items off of shelves so you can use them to hit raised buttons. The puzzles are never difficult but their presentation means they’re fun to solve. Unless you need a key, the solution is usually in the room you’re in. New to the sequel is combat, but then to call it combat is perhaps pushing it. There will be scenarios where you can pick up a hammer and defeat enemies. Enemies die in one hit but so do you. Enemy movement can be a little erratic so the timing almost becomes a puzzle in itself.

While the game is fairly linear, there is opportunity to diverge from the path a little and find collectibles - there are two kinds of collectible in the game - Hats and Glitching Remains. The former is cosmetic primarily but does allow you to earn some special trophies/achievements (the game has a very fun list). The latter are located off the beaten track, collecting them all unlocks a special post credits scene.

In terms of the game as a horror, I believe Little Nightmares as a series is a really good entry level horror series. The games are strange, weird and creepy but never outright scary. Nothing is going to jump out with a loud screaming noise or anything like that but there’s enough here to keep the player on their toes.

When I reviewed this game the first time years ago, I made the claim that Little Nightmares 2 was good, but it wasn’t ligthing in a bottle like the first game was. Playing this independent of the first one, as you can do that if you wish, I think both of the games are really good and with it’s shorter run time there’s no reason not to try this game or both this spooky season.