Reanimal Review

Quick Overview

The review for Reanimal concludes that while the game successfully builds upon the unsettling atmosphere and narrative depth of Little Nightmares, its reliance on mechanics that force cooperation and the inclusion of combat elements slightly detract from the pure horror experience, ultimately resulting in a great, but perhaps less focused, sequel.

Key Points: Reanimal retains the unsettling atmosphere and mature themes, surpassing the narrative depth of the original Little Nightmares. The game requires players to work together, either locally or online, to rescue orphaned siblings by exploring islands via boat and on foot. The reviewer spent approximately 6 hours playing the game on the PlayStation 5. The cooperative gameplay mechanics, particularly the need to stick together, can sometimes create tension between partners. The introduction of combat elements, such as using a knife or crowbar against enemies, shifts the focus away from pure stealth horror. The environmental storytelling, including grotesque imagery like hanged figures in bathtubs, is a strong point, but the constant sense of impending doom can be overwhelming. The game does not feature cross-play at launch, and future DLC content is unconfirmed.

Context: This video presents a review of the video game Reanimal, the 2021 sequel to the horror-platformer Little Nightmares, developed by Tarsier Studios. The game continues the series' tradition of dark, atmospheric storytelling centered around vulnerable children navigating horrific environments populated by grotesque adult figures, but introduces mandatory co-op mechanics and combat elements for the first time.

Detailed Analysis

The reviewer, Cheri Faulkner, gives Reanimal a score of 8/10, deeming it 'Great.' The game successfully builds upon the unsettling atmosphere and profound storytelling of Little Nightmares, tackling mature themes like childhood trauma through rich symbolism and evocative environmental design. However, the reviewer notes that the introduction of mandatory co-op gameplay, requiring players to stick together to solve puzzles and survive encounters, sometimes creates tension between partners, and the inclusion of combat mechanics (like using a knife or crowbar) feels slightly less focused than the pure stealth horror of the predecessor. Specific sequences highlighted include navigating treacherous water environments past monstrous shapes (03:04), traversing industrial areas with grotesque imagery (03:39), and the necessity of teamwork in solving puzzles, such as when the characters must work together to operate a handcar on train tracks (08:13). The game's art design, particularly the contrast between the dark, oppressive environments and moments of strange beauty, is highly praised. The reviewer notes that the game provides constant tension but offers moments of respite, like successfully rescuing another orphan child (04:11). The reviewer spent 6 hours completing the main story segments, which involve rescuing three lost siblings across various islands via boat and on foot.